Writer: Michael Moreci Art: Hayden Sherman Publisher: Vault Comics
WHAT IS IT?
Wasted Space is the funnest existential crisis you'll ever have. It's an intergalactic romp that perfectly balances action, humor, and the worry that all of the decisions you make in your life are pre-ordained.
Imagine Preacher meets Archer in space, or maybe Star Wars if it were originally intended for an adult audience.
This covers issue #7 only, so you should probably read the previous reviews and their issues before reading this one.
WHAT'S IT ABOUT?
(Moderate spoilers for Vol. 1, only minimal for the issue discussed)
The plans are set in motion! There's no stopping them now.
The team has to save Molly's dumb anarchist brother, Rex. This is partially out of the kindness of their hearts and a need to be a responsible caretaker of others' lives, and partially so they can use Rex to find a certain nuke so they can steal it for reasons.
Fury & Dust are in love, but it's that nuanced, adult kind of love where other stuff gets in the way. They have to decide what's more important to them: being together or their "other" allegiances.
While Dust & Fury decide to qil or to fuq, Molly may be teaching a thing-or-two to Billy about morality. But Billy Bane's been burned by morality and a sense of a bigger meaning before – can Molly break through his existential scar tissue?
WHAT WORKS?
Michael Moreci is an absolute treasure
His ability to have advanced, deep philosophical discussions about existential issues while having them also be extremely entertaining and interesting to read is a key part of this series and apparent in every issue
I've talked about Hayden Sherman and Jason Wordie's line art and colors in previous reviews, but I want to give a special shout-out to their absolutely phenomenal wraparound cover this issue, and its Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy easter egg (shown above)
Speaking of easter eggs, Jason Wordie's colors still have that Easter color palette throughout many of the pages, but the juxtaposition of the dark, inky black against the warm oranges in the page below was one of my favorite parts of the issue
Jim Campbell had some fun sound effect work this issue, but deserves the most credit for making dialogue-heavy scenes not look insanely busy
The backmatter in this issue was enjoyable
I love seeing how the proverbial "sausage" gets made, and Vault's "Inside the Vault" offers a nice peek into the making of this issue and a taste of what's to come
WHAT DOESN'T WORK?
Not for kids
Cursing, violence, adult themes and some nudity (though much of the nudity is covered up in hilarious ways)
While the cast feels more entourage-based, all the characters feel like they're supporting cast members for Billy
This isn't really a knock against it so much as I'm not sure if it should be more about the rest of Billy's party, too, or if we're only supposed to have one protagonist
We've gotten some depth for Dust, but I hope we get more
Interested to see where Molly Sue's character arc takes her, since we haven't seen a ton from her, either
WHY SHOULD I READ IT?
This is the incredible, addictive space opera you’ve been waiting for. It hits all the right notes, with enough new that it feels like untrod territory but enough trappings of the genre to feel familiar, like a warm, comfy blanket.
It's fun and hilarious and action-packed, while also having great depth and an undercurrent of existential crisis and helplessness.
If you loved Vol. 1, you will continue to love this new story arc.
WHAT DO I READ NEXT?
If you like the writing:
Wasted Space, Vol. 1 by Michael Moreci & Hayden Sherman
Void Trip by Ryan O'Sullivan & Plaid Klaus
Preacher, Vol. 1 by Garth Ennis & Steve Dillon
If you like the art:
The Few by Sean Lewis & Hayden Sherman
Sentient by Jeff Lemire & Gabriel Hernández Walta
New Mutants: Demon Bear by Chris Claremont & Bill Sienkiewicz
ABOUT THE CREATORS
Michael Moreci – Writer
Inspired by space operas like Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy, and often writes epic sci-fi stories
Many of his other works are currently in production for film or TV
Multitalented: Also recently published his second novel, The Throwaway
Hayden Sherman – Illustrator
Influenced by sci-fi films, Batman, teachers he had and great comics he's read
Recently wrote an Opinion article for the New York Times about using war games to train engineers
Jason Wordie – Colorist
Outlander: Lives in Canada
Opinion: I haven't seen much of his work in the past, but absolutely loved his colors in Turncoat and God Country, and feel like they show off a lot of his skill and range – these are 2 titles you should definitely check out
Jim Campbell – Letterer
Outlander: Hails from the United Kingdom
Multitalented: Also enjoys the art side of the creative world
Prolific: Has done lettering for a large number of hit titles
Adrian F. Wassel – Editor
Name Recognition: Is the CCO & Editor In Chief of Vault Comics, and plays the role of editor on most, if not all, of Vault's titles
Also runs Vault with his brother and father
Has personally helped other comics creators, like Eric Palicki, in their endeavors
HOW DO I BUY IT?
Click one of these
The image(s) used in this article are from a comic strip, webcomic or the cover or interior of a comic book. The copyright for this image(s) is likely owned by either the publisher of the comic, the writer(s) and/or artist(s) who produced the comic. It is believed that the use of this image(s) qualifies as fair use under the United States copyright law. The image is used in a limited fashion in an educational manner in order to illustrate the points of the author and not for the purpose of entertainment or substituting the original work. It is believed the use of this image has had no impact on the market value of the original work.
All Vault Comics characters and the distinctive likeness(es) thereof are trademarks of and copyright Vault Comics or their respective owners. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED