Set two decades into the future in northern England, a new graphic novel explores a dystopian world transformed by artificial intelligence's impact on the labor market. The story centers on a gig economy where many traditional jobs have been automated, leaving individuals to accept temporary manual labor assignments delivered through a smartphone app. Those who refuse the designated tasks risk losing the basic income that sustains most people.

The graphic novel, titled *Gigs*, was created by writer Mark Mosedale and artist Si Smith. The concept originated seven years ago, predating the widespread adoption of AI technology. Mosedale, 42, based in Leeds and working as a copywriter, reflected on recent news linking AI with gig work, noting the unsettling accuracy of their narrative. His collaborator, Smith, 60, who previously lived in Leicester and has freelanced as an illustrator in Leeds for two decades, brought the story’s visuals to life.

The pair unveiled *Gigs* last Tuesday at OK Comics in Leeds, a local shop significant to their creative journey. Mosedale previously worked there and established a comics creators group, which Smith later joined. Their collaboration grew from these connections and discussions about producing a joint project.

Through interconnected storylines branching from a young woman accepting a position at a care home, the novel portrays a community coping with systemic change. One of the key characters she encounters is Syd, an elderly punk figure nearing the end of his life, whose perspectives add depth to the narrative.

To bring *Gigs* to an international audience, Mosedale and Smith pitched their work to Top Shelf Productions, an imprint of the U.S.-based IDW Publishing, which ranks among the top five comics publishers nationally. Smith recounted receiving a response within six minutes of submitting their materials, a decisive moment paving the way for their first graphic novel’s release.

The creators acknowledged that their fictional future is rapidly converging with present realities. “When we began, we thought the world would be further along,” Mosedale said, noting the accelerated pace of AI development. Smith added that, as a writer and illustrator, they feel directly impacted by these technological shifts, describing themselves as “right on the frontline.”

Despite the bleak premise, the story emphasizes resilience among its characters, who find ways to navigate their constrained circumstances. Mosedale expressed hope that their portrayals offer a nuanced view of life within a challenging system.

Market data underscores the growing popularity of graphic novels and comics, with North American sales surpassing $2.2 billion in 2025, according to industry analysts. In the UK, the comics sector reached a record £78.7 million in sales last year, increasing nearly 14 percent from 2024.

British creators maintain a strong presence in the global comics industry, continuing a trend established during the 1980s British Invasion, when writers like Alan Moore and Grant Morrison gained international prominence. Current figures such as Alex Paknadel, Si Spurrier, and Ram Venkatesan (known professionally as Ram V) contribute to Marvel, DC, and major independent publishers including Dark Horse, IDW, and Mad Cave. *Gigs* joins this lineage, reflecting contemporary concerns through the lens of speculative fiction.