In Real Life

Author: Doctorow, Cory

Illustrator: Wang, Jen

Publisher: New York: First Second 2014

This thought-provoking graphic novel explores the hidden real-world economic and labour issues that exist behind the online gaming world, like the author's novel For the win. This graphic novel uses the context of online gaming to make a larger statement about global injustice.

The writing style is engaging and thoughtful. A character-driven storyline personalises subjects of injustice, cultural differences and social justice. The emotional experience is emphasised by charming, detailed illustrations. Two separate, muted colour palettes juxtapose the gaming and physical worlds.

American teenager Anda plays an online role-playing game as part of a girls-only fighting guild. Anda is recruited into a paid role to exterminate low-level players who profit financially from the game in real life. Anda becomes close to one player, Raymond who is a teenager in China. He works in tenuous and unsafe conditions. She learns that actions in the online game have real life implications. Anda urges Raymond to demand better treatment but soon discovers that this has consequences for both of them.

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