Gin and Comic #33: Midnight Radio – A Broadcast of Hope and Humanity
There I was, warming my hands around a hot chocolate spiked with rum, as Midnight Radio crackled to life on the page—a symphony of color, emotion, and interconnected lives. This re-release from Oni Press, written, illustrated, and lettered by Iolanda Zanfardino, delivers a deeply resonant tale of humanity’s struggles and triumphs. It’s a gut-punch and a hug all at once, a perfect read for winter’s darkest nights.
A Broadcast to the Lost and Searching
At its heart, Midnight Radio is about reaching for hope when everything seems lost. Four characters—Mike, Jo, Seika, and Steph—navigate personal battles shaped by identity, trauma, and ambition. A mysterious radio broadcast urges them to rediscover joy and authenticity. Zanfardino’s message is clear: even in life’s bleakest moments, there’s always a chance for renewal.
Color as Character
Each protagonist is wrapped in a distinct color palette that speaks to their emotional arc. Mike’s scenes glow with Matrix-like greens, symbolizing rebellion against corporate control. Jo’s searing reds echo grief, rage, and creative passion, burned into haunting panels of past tragedy. Seika’s world is washed in law-enforcement blues, embodying control and coercion, while Steph’s bright yellows illuminate both fame’s artificial glow and genuine self-discovery.
Zanfardino uses these palettes as storytelling devices, turning each chapter into a visual poem. The art is raw, emotive, and deeply expressive—particularly through the characters’ eyes, which seem to hold entire worlds.
The Stories That Stay With You
Mike’s struggle with “selling out” as an indie game developer rings painfully true in today’s gig economy. Jo’s arc—a cathartic odyssey through grief and queer identity—sears the page like a punk rock anthem. Seika’s noir-inspired tale of corruption and forbidden love crackles with cinematic tension. And Steph, a social media influencer rendered voiceless, delivers the book’s most surprising emotional punch through nuanced facial expressions and silent captions.
Hope in the Static
What makes Midnight Radio unforgettable is its refusal to give in to despair. It acknowledges life’s crushing pain but insists that connection and creativity can push back the dark. It’s not just a comic—it’s a call to action, urging readers to live authentically and love fiercely.
Zanfardino’s debut is a masterclass in emotional storytelling. The art dazzles, the characters ache with realness, and the ending feels like a sunrise after a long, stormy night. For anyone feeling lost this season, Midnight Radio is the signal you’ve been waiting for.
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Image credit: Oni Press
