Saul Williams is way smarter than me. I find his poetry and writing very interesting because even though I can generally follow the basic through line, there are always a thousand other thoughts am picking around the center. This was a great contemplation on modern injustices through the lens of technology and imagined out into a funky future. The art was great, and the plot was follow-able, but I still feel like there’s a whole lot I missed. Still a very good thought provoking book.

Martyr Loser King is definitely an ambitious work, and Saul Williams has no shortage of bold ideas. The themes (technology, activism, power, and resistance) come across loud and clear.

However, I really struggled with following any kind of plot. The narrative felt fragmented, and while I could sense what Williams was trying to convey on a larger scale, it was hard for me to stay grounded in the story itself. The artwork, while striking, often made things more confusing rather than clarifying. I found myself flipping back pages trying to figure out how things connected.

If you’re reading primarily for mood, message, and imagery, you’ll probably get something out of it. But if you’re someone who needs a clearer sense of storyline or structure, this might feel too abstract to really sink into.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

4.5 Star Review
Martyr Loser King by Saul Williams is a bold, electrifying graphic novel that merges cyberpunk rebellion with lyrical storytelling. Set in Burundi, where coltan mining fuels global technology, the story explores exploitation, waste, and the resilience of creativity rising from ruin. At its heart is Martyr_Loser_King, a hacker who joins forces with the enigmatic Neptune Frost to launch a cyberattack that challenges systems of power and control. What emerges is not simply destruction, but a vision of rebirth, myth, and radical reimagining.

Williams’ background as a poet and performer shines through every panel. The narrative is charged with rhythm, layered imagery, and incisive critiques of capitalism and colonialism, while also reaching into history, myth, and the future. The illustrations match the text in intensity, with visuals that feel otherworldly yet grounded, amplifying the story’s urgency and dreamlike quality.

If there is one drawback, it is that the density of themes and imagery can at times feel overwhelming, demanding close attention and re-reading. But rather than detract from the work, this complexity feels intentional, encouraging the reader to sit with discomfort and engage deeply with the questions raised.

Martyr Loser King is visionary, provocative, and unlike anything else in the graphic novel space. It challenges how we think about technology, power, and humanity itself leaving readers both unsettled and inspired.

Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Super interesting! I did not realize it was a graphic novel when I requested it. And graphic novels are not really my cup of tea. But I really appreciate Saul Williams's music and poetry and figured it was still worth a flyer, especially because I also like a lot of progressive cyberpunk books.

Marty Loser King is not necessarily going to be everybody's favorite and can be a challenging read in that it brings up hard themes and is, at turns, deeply unconventional and/or philosophical. But it is incredibly creative and thoughtful. If you like graphic novels plus, at least, one of Afrofuturistic cyberpunk or Saul Williams's music and poetry, definitely worth a read!

The art style and story were hard to follow most of the time. I felt the themes were strongly shown throughout, but this project felt more like a visual aid for Williams’ lyrics and poetry than a comprehensive story. I think putting that in the synopsis might give people better expectations going in.

Overall this book will stick with me and has sparked my interest in Williams’ other work.

Oof. Not what I was expecting and not for me, that’s for sure. The art style was not my favorite and the plot was incomprehensible. I could not follow along at all. If you’re into more esoteric content then maybe this is for you, for me it just left too confused to want to even finish it.

Martyr Loser King is an incredibly creative and surreal look at the exploitation and identity issues around African nations and nonconforming individuals. It's a graphic novel full of compelling art, innovative pops of color and shading, and effusive, poetic language delving into philosophy and pathos. Williams crafts an innovative, table turning story around taking ownership of the power of a rare earth metal rather than the traditional exploitative mining relationship the resource users have on the resource producers. It unifies people with a level playing field through creative plot twists. A great ride in pictures and words.