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Wasteland #1
Book Released: 12 July 2006
Posted 21 August 2006
Writer: Antony Johnston
Artist: Christopher Mitten
Publisher: Oni Press
5.00 out of 5 Stars
Reviewed by Matt Rawson
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I’m a sucker for dust-covered, post-apocalyptic yarns, but
beyond my predilection toward the genre presented in Wasteland #1,
it is a well-told story with wonderful art. Presenting a new future
mythology complete with its own creatures, slang, and rituals,
Wasteland #1 is a joy from start to finish.
From page one, we get the sense that we are descending down upon
something that has been going on for quite awhile (100 years to be
exact). The story
The characters in Wasteland make the entire fictional world come alive.
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at hand, however, is not bogged down with compendium-esque
dissertations on the history of this world — it’s left open for exploration while the future of the characters unfolds before us. Antony
Johnston, who is no novice to the medium of graphic storytelling,
certainly shows his chops with this first installment of what proves to be a
very compelling series.
The characters in Wasteland #1 feel real; they seem alive,
and that makes the entire fictional world come alive. The conflict is
clear and serious, and Michael, a wanderer from out of the waste who
fills the role of main character, has a mixture of Clint Eastwood-style
toughness along with a lucid sense of right and wrong. I could easily
picture Michael sharing a bottle of whiskey with Josey Wales and The Man
With No Name.
The artwork of Christopher Mitten completes the package; his stark,
hard-edged style is perfect for the dusty, sun-bleached
world of
Wasteland. Mitten’s panels flow together and offer a cohesive visual
journey from cover to cover. Mitten gives Michael (and all of the
characters) distinctive looks and physical personalities. Mitten’s visual textures
go hand-in-hand with the narrative layers to offer up a believable
science fiction experience.
Although Wasteland #1 does satisfy my appetite for a
post-apocalyptic romp, it more so satisfies my appetite for damn good comics
in general. I highly recommend Wasteland #1, and I look forward
to the journey ahead in each consecutive issue.
—CCdC—
Cover image used without explicit permission in accordance with the "Fair Use" provision of US copyright law.
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