The Surrogates Volume 2: Flesh & Bone

by Robert Venditti

Brett Weldele (Illustrator)

In a dark, downtown alley in Central Georgia Metropolis, a juvenile prank goes too far, and a homeless man is killed. When the ensuing investigation reveals that the attackers aren't who they appeared to be, justice depends on the testimony of a single missing witness — a street snitch with a history of providing information to a cop named Harvey Greer. Harvey is placed on special assignment to track down the informant, but others have their own designs, including a wealthy socialite and an ex-con turned religious leader known to his followers as The Prophet. As days pass and anger among the anti-surrogate population grows, the city stands on a razor's edge. Will punishment be exacted in a courtroom or on the streets?

Set fifteen years prior to the events of the original Surrogates graphic novel, Flesh & Bone sheds light on the past that binds the characters together. From the streets of Central Georgia Metropolis to the boardroom of Virtual Self, Inc., Flesh & Bone takes us on a journey through a city struggling to come to grips with its present. Not only a suspenseful thriller but also a cautionary tale, this book reminds us that tomorrow will be determined by the choices we make today.

• ISBN10: 1603090185
• ISBN13: 9781603090186
• Publish Date: 31 August 2009
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Out of Print: 4 October 2022
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Top Shelf Productions
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 144
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781603090186

Reviews

[empressbrooke]

Flesh & Bones is a prequel to the original Surrogates. Compared to the first book, F&B focuses less on the themes about society and perfection and instead shifts into action mode. We see the beginnings of the Dread community, what caused police departments to move to all-surrogate forces, the play-by-play of the murder trial mentioned in the first book, the main character's first encounter with his wife's surrogate that proves to be her downfall years later.

It's interesting and well-written, but is it really necessary? It didn't leave me feeling like it added anything to my understanding of the Surrogates world, and I missed the deeper analysis that was present in the first book (although I suppose science fiction often finds social commentary easier when everything suddenly starts going wrong). On its own, however, it's a satisfying, self-contained story, and I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading it if they enjoyed the first book.