Finder (comic)
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Finder is a science fiction comic book series written and illustrated by Carla Speed McNeil, beginning in 1996. It is published by McNeil's imprint Lightspeed Press, which has also collected most of it in trade paperback volumes. It has been critically well received.
The series is set in what may be an Earth society in a fairly far future, or a parallel universe, or a distant planet with a human colony. High- and low-technology civilizations are intermingled, with nomadic tribes traveling between domed cities; most people belong to one of several genetically and culturally distinct clans, including some with animal features similar to the anthropomorphic characters in furry comics. Besides clans, there appear to be no stable political structures larger than a city, although corporations and the mass media wield considerable influence. Despite what seem to be fantasy elements, many aspects of life remain familiar—especially in the cities, whose customs are partly a satire of modern pop culture—and work and family relationships are central to the stories.
In a sense the series is a sociological portrait of that world, seen mostly through the actions of Jaeger Ayers, an individualistic and somewhat mercenary member of a secret society of "Finders", who are basically scouts and detectives. There are story arcs of various sizes, some featuring Jaeger in nearly every panel, while in others he is barely present or indirectly present. The series makes allusions to various genres of science fiction and fantasy; apparent influences include Ursula Le Guin, Samuel Delany, and cyberpunk for thematic content, and a wide range of work for the visual aspects, from old horror comics and simple line cartoons to the science fiction work of Mœbius.
McNeil's spin-off series Mystery Date follows the life of another character in the same world as Finder.
External link
- Lightspeed Press (http://www.lightspeedpress.com/)