Unfamiliarity or a lack of intrigue seem the last set of problems that’d plague YouTube and music sensation Poppy. What started as a seemingly innocuous project, if not a shade or two creepy, now boasts a dedicated fanbase of friends, several feature albums, and as of today, a graphic novel. Poppy: Genesis 1, a title as straightforward yet layered as any string of words uttered by the subject herself, is an ‘origin story’ of sorts to the enigma that is Poppy.
Set in a concealed Hi-Tech factory where Poppy is kept, the novel revolves around an exploration of what as well as who Poppy really is, versus what the world receives her as. An Android with an advanced AI system that is capable of producing startlingly man-like speech, and thought processes, the reader is greeted by a signature “I’m Poppy,” and an invitation to be friends- completely on brand for the YouTube personality. The plot follows what is supposed to be a psychological assessment of Poppy, that aims to determine her readiness for a mysterious “final update” that would make her one of the most powerful tools any organization could possess. Needless to say, things hardly go as planned for any of the characters as chaos ensues.
Granted, the idea of AI androids with a likeness to humanity has been done to death, however the graphic novel remains a surprisingly clever piece and an engaging read. For a book that is meant to finally address the innumerable theories as to the meaning behind the entire project, the answer remains about as straightforward as anything involving Poppy ever is. The mass populations and fans go as far as to deem her a symbol anarchy and a challenge to the mainstream appreciation and idealization of art. However, there lingers a suspicion that there truly is nothing more to her words than meets the eye; that all the audience sees is a reflection of what they wish to see.
Connect with Poppy(click icons):
Review by RockRevolt journalist Stan Rastogi
