redshirt

Redshirt is a 2012 graphic novel written by John Scalzi and illustrated by Nathan Storr. The story is a science fiction comedy that playfully deconstructs common tropes found in science fiction television, particularly the tendency for expendable crew members to die. The narrative follows Lieutenant Andy, a crew member aboard a starship, who begins to suspect that his crewmates are dying at an alarmingly high rate. He discovers that these deaths are not random but follow a pattern, and he and his fellow crew members are effectively in a "redshirt" situation, a term derived from Star Trek where characters wearing red uniforms were often killed off.

The novel explores Andy's investigation into the cause of these deaths and his attempts to understand and subvert the predictable nature of their peril. He eventually learns that the crew's experiences are part of a larger, cyclical narrative, and that their lives are not entirely their own. The story is characterized by its witty dialogue, meta-commentary on storytelling, and a sense of impending doom that is consistently undercut by humor. Redshirt was well-received for its clever concept and execution, earning critical praise for its innovative approach to science fiction tropes.