Wasted Space, it certainly means many things in this particular comic series. It describes a certain philosophy as well as the main protagonist among ideas explored in this volume. Wasted Space follws Billy Bane, a man who used to be the literal voice of the Creator who now is on a mission with his companions to kill the deity he once worked for.
Now let me say this up front and get this right out of the way, THIS is how you do a comic with serious political and social commentary. You don’t take a couple of generation’s worth of favorite superheroes and make them mouth pieces for your personal soap box. But you take a story like this, where its very purpose from the outset is to dig deep into social justice, religion, politics and more. Combine that with the fact that this tale is skillfully crafted and you are in for one hell of an existential ride!
This comic is very much about outlooks on life from a score of points of views. Nearly every character gets into a discussion about the meaning and purpose of life from the gods involved (the Creator and his brother Legion) to even the most inconsequential character to pop in for just one scene. It’s a fascinating look at how many perceive life, existance and other people and groups. In the course of this volume there is a tremendous amount of commentary on nearly every subject imaginable, nothing is sacred or taboo. Everything is discussed, lampooned, parodied or explained. Add to that some spot on situational humor a cast of tragically flawed misfits who somehow remain likable for the most part and high stakes action and this story has the makings of a classic. If its reach is broad enough Wasted Space could be the subject of discussion and speculation for years to come.
ART
The art style reminds me very much of the works of European creators that I came to appreciate long ago in the pages of Heavy Metal. It is at times abstract but mostly loose and sketchy, rough and unfinished in a way that annoys some of my artistic preferences and yet fits the very messy universe its depicting. The colors are often flat and splotchy effecting a rather grundy effect that once more establishes that this world is far from pristine and is really quite unsettled.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you are looking for a comic book that will both entertain you and challenge you with many thought provoking ides and irascible characters give this sci-fi journey into the abstract and the grungy a chance, you won’t regret it. 5 out of 5!
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
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