'A.D.D.: Adolescent Demo Division' Graphic Novel Review

Vertigo Comics is always one step ahead of the competition when it comes to tackling issues many would call controversial and at times "taboo." Let's just say that Vertigo is where DC's artists and writers go to breathe a little and take some chances. The publishing company keeps the trend moving forward with their latest graphic novel, "A.D.D.: Adolescent Demo Division."

The book focuses on a group of teen gamers who develop special abilities as they test media, appear on reality TV, and enjoy the perks of corporate culture. The members of the Adolescent Demo Division are envied heroes to millions of gaming youth and a major concern for the corporation they work "with." As each member of the group "graduates" and "levels up," they are released into the "realworld" as celebrities ... or so they think.

Media theorist Douglas Rushkoff wrote "A.D.D.: Adolescent Demo Division." He is a member of the cyberpunk movement and was an associate of the late Timothy Leary and Robert Anton Wilson. While I'm not impressed with his affiliations with LSD guru Leary, I can recognize good social commentary. He also wrote three "Frontline" TV documentaries.

This book definitely does its job, making people walk away from it questioning our dependence on technology and using it as a way of being "social" while keeping ourselves isolated at the same time. It's amazing how Rushkoff takes aspects of "Logan's Run," "A Clockwork Orange," and "Hackers" and seamlessly blends them all together in such a unique manner. One of the most impressive things he's come up with is a slang used by the A.D.D. members that is reminiscent of the secret language used by Alex and his "Droogs" in "A Clockwork Orange."

The art by Goran Sudzuka ("Y," The Last Man," "Hellblazer") and Jose Marzan Jr. ("The Adventures of Superman," "The Flash") is perfect for this book. It's nothing new but fits the "look" of what tech-savvy teens and young adults associate with gaming and other media. It's a mix of American-style illustrating and a touch of anime. The coloring by Tanya and Richard Horie is adequate and provides an extra layer to the panels.

My only complaint is with the nudity included in the book. I just don't find it necessary and even think it keeps this out of the hands of some teens who need to read it because of the subject matter. My 13-year-old media-addicted son NEEDS to read this but I won't let him because of the nudity. I really feel like it limits the audience that could take this in. That's the only thing I found objectionable about the book.

I would recommend "A.D.D.: Adolescent Demo Division" to mature readers looking to evaluate the role of technology in our society today. It is an eye-opening commentary on what media and gaming quite possibly are doing to our youth and even adults who can't seem to "unplug." I can't really put into words what Rushkoff is saying with the novel, but it's definitely warning us against the dangers of losing our personalities and humanity through the overindulgence in technological tools and toys.

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