Ignatz Award-nominated cartoonist Jed McGowan (Gonzalo) makes his full-length graphic novel debut with My Life Among Humans, in which he cleverly, poignantly examines (dis)connections--in this world and beyond. His vivid panels open in the blue of an empty desert night with a spaceship discharging a lone one-eyed, hexapod alien who immediately begins their search for humans. Tasked with data collection about the local inhabitants, they scuttle quickly to a nearby community of blinking lights.
Their first subject is Will, a community college student who is "alone and distracted," paying more attention to his phone than his surroundings. They quickly implant undetectable "scouts" that take root in Will's brain, allowing the alien to see, feel and even think Will's thoughts. They learn about Will's two dads, his little sister, his various friends and his crush, Celeste. When the all-powerful commander requests data from additional humans, the alien sneaks into Will's home--and gets caught. They launch more scouts into Will's whole family, fearing destruction for breach of protocol, and give the alien utter control. The data collection becomes a family affair--until the commander (and Celeste!) figures out what's really going on.
McGowan presents his alien exploits in precise, full-color saturated panels, as if already camera-ready for animation. His initially straightforward alien-vs.-human narrative proves to be quite the affecting multilayered parable, most notably about family--how they're made (adopted, chosen) and sustained. McGowan also adds undercurrents of colonialism, enslavement and exploitation without detracting from the page-turning pacing of intergalactic adventures. All the while he nimbly proves we really are not alone. --Terry Hong, BookDragon