Writer: Sarah H. Cho
Illustrator: Priscilla Petraites
Colors: Miroslav Mrva
Letters: Sal Cirpriano
Cover by: Jeff Dekal
Publisher: AWA Studios
Red Light #3 picks up right where we left off. Natalie and Lacy have escaped with the help of Mr. Mars, but is freedom everything they had hoped it would be? Both Natalie and Lacy have never been outside the confines of Mister’s compound, and they have very different views of the world.
Natalie sees everything through the lens of a child. The lights and the sounds are new and exciting. The world is big and is a place to explore. Lacy, on the other hand, is overwhelmed by how big, bright, and loud everything is. She also sees many more A.I.s and wonders if they also are trapped in their roles. Are any of them allowed a view outside of their lives as casino dealers or robot fighters?
Now that Natalie and Lacy are with Mars, what’s next? He thinks they are going to be one big happy family. Lacy is realizing that means she’s trading one cage for another. She asks Mars for her freedom, and while he doesn’t say no, he also doesn’t say yes. He even gets them a puppy, making a joke that he gets a pet in Lacy and she gets the dog. That’s probably the worst way to try to encourage her to stay with you.
Have no fear, Mars isn’t going to be around long. Mister has sent people after Natalie and Lacy. I can’t wait to see how this series wraps up. I think we’re going to get some questions answered, like who Natalie really is. After her taste of freedom, what does Lacy want? Is she going to want a better life for A.I.s? Or is the real world too overwhelming?
Red Light is one of those series that makes you think about what you’re willing to do for freedoms and comforts. Lacy wants freedom, but to do what? What are her plans? Lacy is also understanding that she needs to rely more on herself, and I wonder if she’s going to put more faith in herself in issue #4 to be the rescuer this time. The series concludes in Red Light #4 releasing on April 24th, 2024.