In this review of Terrorbytes #1, a group of futuristic androids visit a seemingly abandoned planet Earth, and discover frightening tales that illuminate the odd and self-destructive behavior of the planet’s former human inhabitants in this all-new anthology science fiction series.
Terrorbytes #1
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Felix Ruiz
Main Cover: Juan Doe
Variant Cover: Dave Chisholm
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: October 1, 2025
This review contains spoilers
Terrorbytes #1 begins as a team of android explorers on Earth uncover an electronic archive that might explain why the planet is now seemingly abandoned. The lead android synchronizes with the device and an ancient recording from the year 2035 unfolds at what humans called a tech conference. The host, Ted Hawks promotes his new invention, Final Daze, a sophisticated alternate reality wearable technology that rewires the brain as a person dies.
Ted smooth talks his product to the assembled audience of investors interested in getting in on the ground floor of the next big thing. After receiving some skeptical questions, Ted attempts to sweeten the deal by revealing that had the procedure done that morning (oh yeah, there’s minor surgery involved). The implant taps into the pleasant memories, stores them away and runs them on a loop when the subject dies.
The presentation and the required surgery sends the crowd into an uproar, as Ted suggests everyone break for lunch (and Ted can discreetly spy on their conversations via robot waiters). Backstage, Ted berates his assistant and complains that his new implant is causing some discomfort. After reminding Ted that the Final Daze program was his idea, the assistant reports that the buzz over the project is mixed at best.
When the conference resumes, Ted goes all out with his big finish, citing successful test results with a group of volunteer prisoners (none of whom survive), and he announces his next phase of human trials in an unnamed African nation (where enough cash helps to sidestep those pesky safety regulations). Ted miraculously brings it home with a rousing speech that brings the investors to their feet.
Terrorbytes #1 ends as a private jet heads towards Africa, with Ted reveling in his success before taking a nap. The plane crashes, with Ted the only survivor as his Final Daze gear plays his recent conference on a loop while a colony of fire ants slowly crawl over his face and body, (also, the android expeditionary team receives a troubling message).
Analysis
Terrorbytes #1 is another new anthology series, where writer Mark Russell is only one contributor of many. Similar to his Vanishing Point series, Russell’s typical style and humor are present in this semi-satirical science fiction premise that could seamlessly fit into Black Mirror or The Twilight Zone. Russell’s wit and keen observations keep this short tale flowing along to the uncomfortable (but perhaps fitting) end.
It remains to be seen whether subsequent issues of Terrorbytes will follow Russell’s storytelling approach by mixing satire into tales of technological terror, but it will interesting to find out.
The growing interdependence between people and their tech in the real world shows that Terrorbytes #1 is a more likely possibility, as opposed to say, Warp Drive. Our preoccupation with, and fear of death is another option to be replaced with happy memories. It’s not like human don’t continually drive themselves to distraction with screens, games or mind-altering substances.
Artist Felix Ruiz’s style suits the more “real world” setting that encompasses most of Terrorbytes #1. While there is very little action, his panel composition, body language, facial expressions and limited use of shadow keep the story engaging. Ruiz moves the “camera” around where needed and his contrast between Ted’s big pitch and the human collateral damage is striking.
Those final few pages after the plane crash sell Ted’s fate even without dialogue, but mixing in Ted’s own words from hours earlier, coupled with the (previously hinted at) colony of fire ants slowly intruding on his Final Daze experience is effectively creepy. Terrorbytes #1 unfolds as if it were an episode of television and not a comic book.
Final Thoughts
Terrorbytes #1 kicks off this new anthology series with a strong opening installment featuring a tale of greed, fear and amorality, as humans grow ever more interconnected to their own technological creations.
