Wasteland #1

Genre sci-fi Author Antony Johnston Publisher Oni Press External Links Official Wasteland Website Official Oni Press Website

Wasteland felt like a Mad Max movie. Desolate territory with bands of similar people gathering together to further their needs or causes whether they are righteous or villainous. Aside from the Mad Max connection, I felt lost. I felt lost because I had no premise from which to jump. It would have been more satisfying if there had been a prologue explaining The Big Wet and/or the lead character Michael's background. Yet despite my own lack of comprehension, the issue is exceedingly well drawn and packs a wallop with fight scenes and plot twists. There is something appealing here that sparks some desire to come back next issue and see what happens.

The art is drawn by Christopher Mitten and is presented in black and white. It effectively gives you a wasteland impression, something with which color may have had a harder time conveying. Mitten has skillfully given life to these characters and their surroundings. His talent is readily apparent and worthy of any praise heaped upon him.

Writer Antony Johnston has a story that has been brewing for 15 years. While I am glad he is getting to tell it, I am left to wonder if this story is telling of his personal search for something during that time or if, maybe, this is supposed to be a warning tale about global warming? All I can figure out is that there has been a cataclysmic event related to water - The Big Wet - and we now have a vastly different planet that is a wasteland. Small villages, tribes, and wandering nomads and killers are still surviving on this planet and it does not appear that they are all human. I cannot help feel like I am missing something.

The Big Wet, something only hinted at in the story, seemingly is the key to understanding this tale and will have a big impact on the perception of this comic. Johnston has chosen to reveal it later, possibly all at once or in small increments. Or maybe, hoping you will visit his website, not at all. I was frustrated by this lack of apparently key information more so than curious enough to visit the website specifically for it. Still, other plot developments such as the PDA-like gadget, the Sand Eaters and their ruthless attacks, and this "gift" of Abi's generate some curiosity.

This issue was a double-sized first issue and does allow us to get more of this introductory launch fleshed out. But despite the compelling storylines that potentially show where this is going, I find that I am already losing interest. I do think this book will develop into a good story, I just hope I am still reading when it gets there.