Welcome to Science Hell

[arbre_rieur]

Here's four pages from the first issue of SPACEMAN, Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso's newest collaboration.



The issue's part of DC's new initiative of making certain first issues $1, to persuade more folks to give new series a try. As others have pointed out online, you might want to consider at least giving this one issue a shot; even if it's not for you and you don't buy issue 2, the increased sales for issue 1 sends DC the message that the $1 initiative does increase the number of samplers, that it does do what it's meant to.



The main character of the series is Orson, the titular "spaceman," who was genetically engineered and bred by NASA for space exploration. But NASA collapsed and he never did end up going to space. Like so many others, he's stuck in a miserable, futile life on the flooded Earth.



Orson makes his living, if you can call it that, scavenging in the waters for junk to sell. He learns today that the government just devalued the dollar. Again.



The only solace in his life lies in drugs, which allow him to temporarily hallucinate that he's living the life he's meant to, as an intrepid astronaut on Mars:

Comments

[mrstatham]

Really interesting stuff, even if the premise isn't entirely what I'd expect from Azz and Risso. Looks great, as always with Risso.

The one-dollar first issue is actually a regular initiative of Vertigo's, I believe. They either put out a new number one for a dollar or reprint an old number one to get people into a trade, just like the first trade of a Vertigo series usually has more issues and costs less money than other trades.

[glimmung]

That last page is his hallucination I take it?

[arbre_rieur]

Yes, indeed.

[rainspirit]

Sad, gritty post-apocalyptic series? Would you prefer cash or check? :X

[mrosa]

I love how future speak is basically just modern speak with less consonants and more vowels... how many hours of blood and sweat must have gone into the script. A real Alan Moore, Mr. Azarello...

[mrstatham]

Given the rise of txt spk irl, don't you find it oddly appropriate? I think it's quite telling that the most severe futurespeak seems to be coming from the younger characters. Just because he's come up with a not entirely original take on future language, doesn't mean Azzarello hasn't worked hard, either.

Also, what would you prefer?

[proteus_lives]

I enjoy the art.