Space Bastards #1: Space Needs More Cussin’

Life just can’t stop kicking David Proton in the crotch.

He’s been fired from his job (by a guy he trained), his girl left him, his bank went bust, and his dad won’t let him sleep in his basement (it’s too full).

Thank goodness for the opportunities provided by the Intergalactic Postal Service:

Space Bastards‘ premise is beautifully simple: IPS deliverypeople are paid an exorbitant amount of money to transport packages – but the catch is, anyone else can intercept the package by whatever means possible. What follows is a kind of cross between Hunger Games, a Lobo comic, and the balls-out sci-fi and social commentary of Transmetropolitan – fitting, since that series’ artist Darick Robertson is on board for the art chores (with utterly superb colors by Diego Rodriguez). Robertson has largely eschewed the mainstream spotlight in recent years, predominately (and presumably) so that he could focus on smaller-scale indie projects like this one. It’s truly great seeing an honest-to-goodness master of the form and artistic superstar lend his talents to smaller publishers like Humanoids; the effect is not unlike a rock god guitarist deliberately shining his spotlight on a new up and coming band.

And fortunately, the effort is worth it, because writers Eric Peterson and Joe Aubrey have a rip-roaring fun story to tell. It largely hinges on its premise at first, reveling in the fast-paced, OTT violence and mischievous sense of humor. That’s a deliberate choice by the writers, though to deliver a hook right off the bat. Their gambit works, because by the time the opening sequence is complete, there’s simply no way to not immediately want more. The world Peterson and Aubrey build is too fun, too alluring, too hilariously dark and dangerous. Ne’er-do-wells lurk around every corner, waiting for their chance to intercept a package and be the one to cash in on its delivery reward.

Of course, the story wouldn’t work if Peterson and Aubrey didn’t give us characters we could root for – or at least get a laugh out of. Space Bastards‘ odd couple are David Proton and Manicorn (or just “Manny” for short, whose ugly mug graces the cover). Proton is an eager nebbish horrendously in over his head and constantly beset by embarrassment and near-death experiences. Manny, by contrast, is the grizzled seen-it-all veteran, cut from a Lobo-shaped cloth but definitely not a rip-off of the Main Man. The chemistry between these two is what really winds up bringing the whole comic together, especially given the sly way the story ends.

And through it all, there’s a simmering, just-below-the-surface subplot concerning the IPS and its investors, Powers Industries. Shady doings are afoot, and inevitably, Proton and Manny will wind up in the middle of it all. That sort of long-term game is indicative that Peterson and Aubrey are invested in Space Bastards for the long haul. Don’t be fooled by the hilarious violence and fast-paced action on the surface – Space Bastards has a story to tell. And it looks to be a doozy, an action-packed comic full of laughs, gore, intrigue, a unique premise, and maybe – just maybe – heart.