Writer: Ryan O‘Sullivan Art: Plaid Klaus Publisher: Image Comics
WHAT IS IT?
The last two humans take drug-induced road trip where the destination is a planet filled with happiness and hallucinogenic space-fruit. Think Fear and Loathing on the Battlestar Galactica or On the Road meets The Incal.
WHAT'S IT ABOUT? (Minor Spoilers)
We follow two space hobos as they search for a paradise planet and get high on “Froot,” a hallucinogenic space-fruit. Rather than be tied down anywhere, or be sober and NOT mosey around the universe, they’ve chosen this because they’re the last two humans alive and it makes them happy. Unfortunately, their freedom and free spirits do not make a particular or-der-obsessed robot happy, and he chases them across space to put a stop to their antics.
This limited series is beautiful, and a lot of fun, but it also has moments of great depth or tension, tied up with sub-culture references and poignant observations on human nature. All this gives it a great balance that makes it more than some stream-of-consciousness let’s-get-high road trip story.
Of course, it is also a let’s-get-high road trip story. And a great one, at that.
WHAT WORKS?
Existential dread and violent, dark humor underlies a plot that would otherwise seem silly or inconsequential
The sub-culture references and metaphors to be discovered offer a depth of story that feels akin to Vonnegut or Pratchett and rewards readers searching for meaning
Story doesn’t waste time explaining the whys and wherefores of every aspect of the story, which really helps keep the pace without taking much away from the world-building
Clean, creative line art and smart use of color palettes brings the story, the different planets and the universe to life while balancing between the real world and the psychedelic ones
The dialogue feels real to the characters and moves aside when action would do better to convey action and story
The antagonist feels brilliant and intimidating, like Mike Milligan in season 2 of Fargo
There’s something just wonderfully nihilistic about how a man and a woman are the last remaining humans and they decide to get high and go on a road trip instead of repopulating their race
WHAT DOESN'T WORK?
The violence and subject matter firmly places this in the “Mature Readers” category
I felt like some of what happens toward the end of the story could have been more impactful if we’d had more issues to allow us to get to know the characters more deeply
Readers may feel lost at times until they fully understand the story’s intergalactic location jumps and the hallucinogenic properties of the “froot”
Without reading the story’s description, readers might not understand that these are the last two humans in existence
WHY SHOULD I READ IT?
It’s a gorgeous, memorable, well-balanced story that’ll keep you turning the pages the whole way through.
WHAT DO I READ NEXT?
If you like the writing:
Turncoat by Ryan O’Sullivan & Plaid Klaus
ODY-C, Vol. 1 by Matt Fraction & Christian Ward
The Incal by Alejandro Jodorowsky & Moebius
If you like the art:
Saga, Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples
X-Men Legacy, Vol. 1 by Simon Spurrier & Tan Eng Huat
East of West, Vol. 1 by Jonathan Hickman & Nick Dragotta
ABOUT THE CREATORS
Ryan O’Sullivan – Writer
Was influenced by Bukowski, Nobokov, Shakespeare, and Hunter S. Thompson
Outlander: He’s from Yorkshire, England
Dream Team: Worked with Plaid Klaus on their comic, Turncoat
Plaid Klaus – Art
Multitalented: He also works in games, 3D modeling, non-comic illustrations, and concept art & design
Inspired by humor, counter-culture and psychedelic design
Prefers artistic design as opposed to the photorealistic style often pushed by major comics publishers
Aditya Bidikar – Letters
Got into comics as a career relatively later in life
Enjoys hand-drawing his sound effects
HOW DO I BUY IT?
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