I read Spaceman this week. I thought it was fantastic.
Here's the spoiler-free gist: In the future, NASA creates a program for a manned Mars mission. Part of this program is genetically engineered giant primates who can withstand the journey and the physical demands.
One of the primates now operates a salvaging boat outside the "wall" built by the upper crust.
The primate rescues a little girl who is part of a reality show where a trendy, hot couple adopts tons of kids. The little girl wants to stay with the salvage-boat-driving primate and some other runaways that he looks after.
Madness ensues.
I've read and heard many people gripe and moan about the use of future-speak employed by Azzarello in this series. I think it's brilliant. It's a natural progression of the language--both proper and slang--as it's come so far. Most writers just use made-up exclamations ("grife!" "bastich!") to look into the future, but what Azzarello does is really pretty awesome.
And Risso? How does he use such a bold line and so many open flat color spaces and yet still have so much detail in his work? He clearly loves drawing all parts of a panel, not just the figures.
If you're going to be put off by the language, then skip this. But if you want a really cool story with some beautiful artwork, then give this a try. You won't be disappointed!
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Yes, the language the bother me. Also, I just couldn't get interested in this. Ah well just not for me I guess.
Mark Sullivan, have you read this one? I'm anxious to hear what you have to say about this book.
On a related note, I still have yet to read the rest of 100 Bullets. I have a handful of trades to get to yet. Azzarello is just so easy to read and yet so complex. I guess I'm in a good Azzarello place right now, huh?
I've only read the first issue, the $1 one. I remember struggling with the slang a bit, but I've been looking forward to the collection. I ordered it for the library, but it hasn't made it into the collection yet. You'll enjoy the rest of 100 Bullets, I think. I'm looking forward to rereading the whole series myself.
I think I'm going to have to start again from the start on that one. It's probably been at least five or six years since I've read a volume of it. I had subscribed to the trades back when they were coming out, but much like Northlanders, Unwritten, and Sweet Tooth, the trades began to stack up just like the floppies do of the comics I buy monthly.
Can't wait to dig into this series again.