Not All Robots is a pleasantly weird mix of comedy, drama, sci-fi, and satire. The social mix between humans and others has been a major topic of sci-fi exploration for decades. Russell and Deodato have found a slightly novel approach to the basic premise that could prove to be satisfying in a variety of different ways as the series progresses into the future.  Read Full Review

Overall, this was a successful first issue that provides great storytelling, humor and the setup to something much more sinister. AWA Studios continues to do a great job at choosing writers and stories that are not just relevant to today, but also ones that are still able to take us to faraway places. Not All Robots #1 fits that mold perfectly. Read Full Review

Not All Robots is a funny, scary, and plausible take on humanitys self-authored descent into obsolescence. Readers will laugh hard the entire way through, but theyll also have no choice but to think about the consequences of our exponential growth into a machine-dominated world. The kicker, though, is that regardless of how advanced these robots turn out to be, they might not have a choice but to become a bit human to find some meaning in the new status quo. Read Full Review

Whether we men like it or not we have privilege via our gender and our status afforded through it. To say not all robots are hurting or killing their families takes away the horror that any robots are. The dry, pathos rich story isn't too preachy about its subtle message. Read Full Review

Whether you laugh or cry; prepare to bow to, and find common ground, with our robot overlords. Read Full Review

Not All Robots #1 features an interesting pairing of disparate creators. They come together well in this title, putting together a story with intriguing satirical ideas around artificial intelligence and roles in society. Read Full Review

In its darkly funny debut issue, 'Not All Robots' offers an unnerving look at a society controlled by machines. You'll laugh through the chills. Read Full Review

Not All Robots #1 has all of the wit and bite readers should expect from a Mark Russell comic, even if its opening chapter struggles due to a flawed analogy. Read Full Review

Plenty of humour and contemporary references in this satirical allegory. Mike Deodato adopts an unfamiliar style for this book, which suits the theme, and is very reminiscent of the old ABC warriors stories from 2000ad. A winner all the way.

In the letters page of Not All Robots #1, Mark Russell mentions that the story is a commentary on “Toxic Masculinity”. The theme went totally over my head at first read. I later reread the issue for this review and while I see can see Mark’s angle, I think that the reader may have been better served coming to that conclusion on their own. Minor nickpicks, aside I loved this issue from beginning to end.

Not All Robots is a story set in a world where humans live in bubble cities. The atmosphere has become so toxic that humanity has developed a dependent and somewhat subservient relationship with the machines they have created. Each family is assigned a Robot who in turn goes out into the world to work and serve as their breadwinner.


The book primarily focuses on Razorball and his family. Razorball struggles with relating to his family. He reminds me of a guy that suddenly becomes the man of the house. He bristles against the role but ultimately wants to fit in with the family. Ironically the Father of the house has moved into the role of doting housewife. While the rest of the family seem to be living in varying degrees of fear of their robotic overlord.

This generalized fear seems to be pervasive across society and sets the backdrop for the series. The machines are coming to realize their superior position in society, and it seems to be a matter of time before things get ugly for all parties involved.


The art direction for the issue is dark and haunting. Mike Deadato, Jr. gives the robots a wide range of designs. Oddly enough none of the machines have faces which becomes a plot point over the course of the issue. The Robots mostly remind me of the faceless action figures you’d find at a dollar store. It’s a nice contrast from most other designs for Robots/Androids across science fiction.

The humor and horror subtext is on point which gives the issue an uneasy atmosphere as the plot develops. There are several passive aggressive comments directed at the humans who express concern about the current arrangement with the machines. The comments also layer in a level of unpredictability to the issue because you never know when the danger will become real for humanity.

In Short: If you’re a fan of the the Animatrix: First & Second Renaissance, you’ll be right at home with Not All Robots. more

Great, scathing satire of toxic masculinity, capitalism, and the state of humanity in the 21st century.

Mark Russell has done it again with another inspired satire. It's a future that makes sense with the direction of the global economy; one that can't function without consumption, and so that is all humanity remains to do. Meanwhile, automation has taken over the means of production entirely, but in a way where the robots quip, "See you later, terminator," and, "In a while, rotary, dial."

There are allusions to a 1950's household, with the robot functioning as the sole breadwinner that the rest of the family is completely reliant on, and so must weather the resentment of their own proprietor.

Mike Deodato himself is skeptical that he's the right pick to handle the artwork and I share his skepticism, but he's brought a level of realism that grounds this concept, which is interesting. It's a step removed from the cartoony nature of Mark Russell's previous stories. more

Cool story. Shitty artwork.