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Space Junk
In the shattered remnants of a doomed planet, the last shuttles are leaving soon… So why do these misfits want to stay behind?
Faith has a metallic mystery bolted to her head. Hoshi keeps his rage in check with an emotional support chicken. On a dying world where most adults have already left and the remaining kids are training for their turn, these two are starting to wonder “what’s the point?” Gradually, a cluster of lonely souls who’ve spent their lives emotionally adrift are pulled into one another’s orbits as they try to stay in place in a universe that is moving all too quickly.
With Space Junk, the startling imagination of award-winning graphic novelist Julian Hanshaw explores profound questions of past and future, trauma and recovery, staying grounded and taking flight.
Faith has a metallic mystery bolted to her head. Hoshi keeps his rage in check with an emotional support chicken. On a dying world where most adults have already left and the remaining kids are training for their turn, these two are starting to wonder “what’s the point?” Gradually, a cluster of lonely souls who’ve spent their lives emotionally adrift are pulled into one another’s orbits as they try to stay in place in a universe that is moving all too quickly.
With Space Junk, the startling imagination of award-winning graphic novelist Julian Hanshaw explores profound questions of past and future, trauma and recovery, staying grounded and taking flight.
176 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 9, 2024
Genuinely didn't like it. I'm all for fiction that's unapologetically weird, even at the risk of alienating readers. I don't need a classically Western storytelling structure; in fact I like getting swept up in narratives that don't give a fuck and break "rules" to achieve what they want.
If I can tell there's intention behind it.
Space Junk sadly felt like a work that failed to communicate what the creator was going for. The characters were a mess imo and I've already seen/read too many "outsiders finding their true home away from home"-stories to be impressed with this one AT ALL. I also didn't like the art style (which is due to personal taste), found the colors far too similar to create any depth or properly separate fore- and background (in hue, brightness and saturation), the panels much too crowded and busy ands the overall layout confusing at times (which is not due to personal taste).
I don't know, I expected this to be right up my alley but it really wasn't for me.
- ARC provided by NetGalley -
If I can tell there's intention behind it.
Space Junk sadly felt like a work that failed to communicate what the creator was going for. The characters were a mess imo and I've already seen/read too many "outsiders finding their true home away from home"-stories to be impressed with this one AT ALL. I also didn't like the art style (which is due to personal taste), found the colors far too similar to create any depth or properly separate fore- and background (in hue, brightness and saturation), the panels much too crowded and busy ands the overall layout confusing at times (which is not due to personal taste).
I don't know, I expected this to be right up my alley but it really wasn't for me.
- ARC provided by NetGalley -
June 14, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley, IDW Publishing & Top Shelf Productions for the advanced e-copy.
4.5 stars
I loved this graphic novel.
I have never heard of Julian Hanshaw, but now I want to read his other works. I'm in love with his art style, the wistful nature of it, the use of colour and the heart of this story.
This is a sci-fi tale of a planet that is doomed. People have exhaust all resources, so it's time to pack everything up and move to a new place, and start mining that new planet. This is nothing new, it's a process and the first stage of it it's adults going first to settle and prepare the new home until the shuttles come to bring the children.
But in this little planet, two kids don't want to leave. They are outsiders, they are troubled, they are alone. Faith is an orphan living in an abandoned park. She has a weird metal plate in her head and ever since the shuttles started arriving, that plate makes little bits of scrap metal follow her around.
Hoshi is a troubled boy. He, like the others, was left behind by his parents but he believes this moving was the perfect excuse for his parents to abandon him. Hoshi has anger issues, and he has a weird fixation with chickens. I mean, have you ever seen a chicken dirt bath before? It's like a crazy dance.
These two kids are on their own but they have Mr. Uzmaki, the counsellor for the children waiting for the shuttles.
Faith and Hoshi have seen each other before, but they don't know each other. However, their relationship will change when, as with all scraps of metals, Hoshi is woken when he's dragged following Faith and her metal plate. Friendship will blossom between two outsiders and a black rescued chicken that's also an emotional support animal.
The artwork as I mentioned is fantastic. It's weird, and cartoonish, and though the background and panel design are overall simple, the flat contrasting colors make every page stand out. It's honestly the biggest reason why I'm buying a physical copy.
This graphic novel was charming. It was sweet, weird, and beautiful. It's a simple story that will warm your heart. It's about things left behind, and trusting, and friendship, and it's weirdly nostalgic though it is a sci-fi story set on a doomed planet.
The only reason I rounded my rating down to a four is because I think the ending was a bit rushed. The artwork got a little vague in some scenes. However, it's still so worth it.
If you have the chance to read it, please do. I hope you fall in love with it as much as I did.
4.5 stars
I loved this graphic novel.
I have never heard of Julian Hanshaw, but now I want to read his other works. I'm in love with his art style, the wistful nature of it, the use of colour and the heart of this story.
This is a sci-fi tale of a planet that is doomed. People have exhaust all resources, so it's time to pack everything up and move to a new place, and start mining that new planet. This is nothing new, it's a process and the first stage of it it's adults going first to settle and prepare the new home until the shuttles come to bring the children.
But in this little planet, two kids don't want to leave. They are outsiders, they are troubled, they are alone. Faith is an orphan living in an abandoned park. She has a weird metal plate in her head and ever since the shuttles started arriving, that plate makes little bits of scrap metal follow her around.
Hoshi is a troubled boy. He, like the others, was left behind by his parents but he believes this moving was the perfect excuse for his parents to abandon him. Hoshi has anger issues, and he has a weird fixation with chickens. I mean, have you ever seen a chicken dirt bath before? It's like a crazy dance.
These two kids are on their own but they have Mr. Uzmaki, the counsellor for the children waiting for the shuttles.
Faith and Hoshi have seen each other before, but they don't know each other. However, their relationship will change when, as with all scraps of metals, Hoshi is woken when he's dragged following Faith and her metal plate. Friendship will blossom between two outsiders and a black rescued chicken that's also an emotional support animal.
The artwork as I mentioned is fantastic. It's weird, and cartoonish, and though the background and panel design are overall simple, the flat contrasting colors make every page stand out. It's honestly the biggest reason why I'm buying a physical copy.
This graphic novel was charming. It was sweet, weird, and beautiful. It's a simple story that will warm your heart. It's about things left behind, and trusting, and friendship, and it's weirdly nostalgic though it is a sci-fi story set on a doomed planet.
The only reason I rounded my rating down to a four is because I think the ending was a bit rushed. The artwork got a little vague in some scenes. However, it's still so worth it.
If you have the chance to read it, please do. I hope you fall in love with it as much as I did.
June 19, 2024
When all the resources have been used up on one planet, everyone decides it's time to up and leave, transporting all the buildings and people to the next planet, ready to deplete the resources there too. The adults go first, getting everything ready for the kids who are set to travel a bit later, and among those kids are Hoishi and Faith, both of whom are not so convinced they want to leave with the others.
This graphic novel at its heart is about the feeling of feeling okay because you know someone is right there with you. The art was unique and worked well in the story. The stark backgrounds and muted spacey colours filled up the pages even with its simplicity. I will say however some of the panels were a bit vague, so it was hard to tell what they were depicting which at times removed me from the flow of the story.
While this was sweet, it was not something I think will really stick with me after the fact, I think it was an enjoyable time, but it was just that! I am however interested in checking out other works by Julian Hanshaw!
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This graphic novel at its heart is about the feeling of feeling okay because you know someone is right there with you. The art was unique and worked well in the story. The stark backgrounds and muted spacey colours filled up the pages even with its simplicity. I will say however some of the panels were a bit vague, so it was hard to tell what they were depicting which at times removed me from the flow of the story.
While this was sweet, it was not something I think will really stick with me after the fact, I think it was an enjoyable time, but it was just that! I am however interested in checking out other works by Julian Hanshaw!
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2024
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, IDW Publishing Top Shelf Productions, for an advance copy of this science fiction graphic novel about a future where planets are disposable, and so it seems are the teens that live there.
I can't imagine being a teenager today. During my difficult years as my parents called it, I had the idea that the world was against me, but I couldn't really prove it. As an adult I see the world is against teens in so many ways. A future without a climate, or animals. Jobs that might be there, might not be there, but go into debt to find out. Inability to find places to live, banning things like TikTok, because the truth is not televised, it is sent in short videos. Cops busting the heads of protesters, and standing outside classrooms while students are being murdered. I am sure there is more, but that's enough. Adults have and continue to fail kids, and it shows no sign of changing, even in the future. Space Junk is a story about teens on a planet that is due to be evacuated, used up and cast aside, as these children feel they are, written and illustrated by Julian Hanshaw.
The planet is dying, and instead of doing the hard work of taking care of it, the people of the planet just pack up everything and move to the next one. Whole buildings are packed up and sent by shuttles, along with the inhabitants of the world, in descending order of importance it seems. Still remaining are teens and some select adults, the teens undergoing training, the adults needed to keep things going. Faith is a young woman with a metal plate in her head, and nothing in the way of fond memories about her parents, who carried her from casino to casino. Faith remember more the hostesses and bartenders than moments with her parents, and is in no real rush to leave. Hoshi is considered an oddity, and deals with rage issues. These have been sort of calmed by the gift of a black chicken from a counselor, Mr. Uzmaki. Faith and Honshi grow closer as the time of evacuation comes closer, both in no rush to leave, and finding comfort with each other, even while dealing with their problems.
A story that is both sad, and yet inspiring. The characters are well done, not futuristic whiz kids, but damaged people without the tools to deal with their problems, failed by everyone around them. And yet they are taking care of themselves, as best they can. The idea of the planet being used up is interesting, and is a good setting for the story. I liked the characters, and I liked why they felt the way they did. The art really compliments the story. Complex on backgrounds, with technology and ship designs really well done. However it is the characters that also bring this story to life. The little things, looks on the face, the marks that Hoshi makes on himself to calm his rage. Even the chicken. A really beautiful story about being young, being lost, and maybe making a friend.
Not a straight science fiction story, this is more a coming of age, finding one self tale, told in space. However this is a really good story, with an interesting plot and characters. Very well told, and quite touching. This is the first thing that I have read by Julian Hanshaw, I plan to read much more.
I can't imagine being a teenager today. During my difficult years as my parents called it, I had the idea that the world was against me, but I couldn't really prove it. As an adult I see the world is against teens in so many ways. A future without a climate, or animals. Jobs that might be there, might not be there, but go into debt to find out. Inability to find places to live, banning things like TikTok, because the truth is not televised, it is sent in short videos. Cops busting the heads of protesters, and standing outside classrooms while students are being murdered. I am sure there is more, but that's enough. Adults have and continue to fail kids, and it shows no sign of changing, even in the future. Space Junk is a story about teens on a planet that is due to be evacuated, used up and cast aside, as these children feel they are, written and illustrated by Julian Hanshaw.
The planet is dying, and instead of doing the hard work of taking care of it, the people of the planet just pack up everything and move to the next one. Whole buildings are packed up and sent by shuttles, along with the inhabitants of the world, in descending order of importance it seems. Still remaining are teens and some select adults, the teens undergoing training, the adults needed to keep things going. Faith is a young woman with a metal plate in her head, and nothing in the way of fond memories about her parents, who carried her from casino to casino. Faith remember more the hostesses and bartenders than moments with her parents, and is in no real rush to leave. Hoshi is considered an oddity, and deals with rage issues. These have been sort of calmed by the gift of a black chicken from a counselor, Mr. Uzmaki. Faith and Honshi grow closer as the time of evacuation comes closer, both in no rush to leave, and finding comfort with each other, even while dealing with their problems.
A story that is both sad, and yet inspiring. The characters are well done, not futuristic whiz kids, but damaged people without the tools to deal with their problems, failed by everyone around them. And yet they are taking care of themselves, as best they can. The idea of the planet being used up is interesting, and is a good setting for the story. I liked the characters, and I liked why they felt the way they did. The art really compliments the story. Complex on backgrounds, with technology and ship designs really well done. However it is the characters that also bring this story to life. The little things, looks on the face, the marks that Hoshi makes on himself to calm his rage. Even the chicken. A really beautiful story about being young, being lost, and maybe making a friend.
Not a straight science fiction story, this is more a coming of age, finding one self tale, told in space. However this is a really good story, with an interesting plot and characters. Very well told, and quite touching. This is the first thing that I have read by Julian Hanshaw, I plan to read much more.
October 22, 2024
Space Junk by Julian Hanshaw presents an intriguing premise: a group of misfits stranded on a decaying planet as the last remnants of humanity prepare to flee. However, the execution of this story left me feeling underwhelmed, despite the unique concept and dreamlike art style.
The narrative structure is chaotic, often feeling like it’s trying too hard to be unconventional at the expense of clarity. While I appreciate experimental storytelling, Space Junk misses the mark by failing to communicate a cohesive vision. There are moments where the story veers into magical realism without any real grounding, which leaves readers confused rather than engaged. This disjointedness makes it difficult to connect with the characters, who themselves feel like mere sketches of "troubled youth" archetypes.
Faith and Hoshi, the two main characters, are supposed to evoke empathy as they grapple with personal trauma in a world that's literally falling apart. Unfortunately, their development is shallow—Faith’s metal plate and Hoshi’s emotional support chicken seem more like quirky distractions than meaningful elements of their personalities. The novel relies heavily on their "outsider" status without delving into what actually makes them tick, leaving me disconnected from their journey.
While I applaud the ambition of tackling heavy themes like abandonment, trauma, and disillusionment, Space Junk feels like it’s drowning in its own ambition. Instead of digging deep into these topics, it brushes past them, never quite delivering the emotional weight it promises. By the time the abrupt and unsatisfying ending arrived, I was left with more questions than answers—and not in a good way.
In short, Space Junk is a graphic novel that tries to be profound but gets lost in its own mess of ideas and style. It may appeal to those who enjoy surreal, avant-garde storytelling, but for me, it was a frustrating and hollow experience.
The narrative structure is chaotic, often feeling like it’s trying too hard to be unconventional at the expense of clarity. While I appreciate experimental storytelling, Space Junk misses the mark by failing to communicate a cohesive vision. There are moments where the story veers into magical realism without any real grounding, which leaves readers confused rather than engaged. This disjointedness makes it difficult to connect with the characters, who themselves feel like mere sketches of "troubled youth" archetypes.
Faith and Hoshi, the two main characters, are supposed to evoke empathy as they grapple with personal trauma in a world that's literally falling apart. Unfortunately, their development is shallow—Faith’s metal plate and Hoshi’s emotional support chicken seem more like quirky distractions than meaningful elements of their personalities. The novel relies heavily on their "outsider" status without delving into what actually makes them tick, leaving me disconnected from their journey.
While I applaud the ambition of tackling heavy themes like abandonment, trauma, and disillusionment, Space Junk feels like it’s drowning in its own ambition. Instead of digging deep into these topics, it brushes past them, never quite delivering the emotional weight it promises. By the time the abrupt and unsatisfying ending arrived, I was left with more questions than answers—and not in a good way.
In short, Space Junk is a graphic novel that tries to be profound but gets lost in its own mess of ideas and style. It may appeal to those who enjoy surreal, avant-garde storytelling, but for me, it was a frustrating and hollow experience.
July 16, 2025
okay i LOVED the artwork from the very beginning (I mean I picked this up at the library solely bc I liked the weird little guy on the cover and the colors when I flipped through it), but I had a lot of issues at the start.
There is no exposition, which is kind of cool, but unfortunately I hate to say it, exposition is pretty crucial. By the time I got to the end (and then reread the entire thing over), I knew what was going on and understood the world they dropped us into. But it was really hard for me to follow at first, also because the pacing is off and the transitions are nonexistent. I couldn't tell at first which character was which, and the scenes all blurred together. Again, by probably half way through I was following and able to figure out who was who and when we switched from one character to another, but it's really hard at first!!!!
This is a story about two misfits, who are connected through having the same therapist. We're in a world where humans migrate from planet to planet, using up all the resources and then abandoning it for the next one. Hoshi is a kid with intense anger issues (he tattoos X's on his arms and chest when he beats someone up) obsessed with chickens (he's wearing the little chicken sunglasses on the cover) and Faith, a girl with metal in her head from a traumatic childhood accident. Neither of them are into the concept of moving to another planet, so from the very beginning we are introduced to them as "stay behinders" which is a super socially unaccepted group of people who, as you can guess, stay behind on the trashed planets. Hoshi and Faith not only both see Mr. Uzmaki for their therapist, they're also bullied by the same a-hole, Steve.
It's a cute story of friendship and finding belonging, and it also has super bright colors and is about space, which I love.
There is no exposition, which is kind of cool, but unfortunately I hate to say it, exposition is pretty crucial. By the time I got to the end (and then reread the entire thing over), I knew what was going on and understood the world they dropped us into. But it was really hard for me to follow at first, also because the pacing is off and the transitions are nonexistent. I couldn't tell at first which character was which, and the scenes all blurred together. Again, by probably half way through I was following and able to figure out who was who and when we switched from one character to another, but it's really hard at first!!!!
This is a story about two misfits, who are connected through having the same therapist. We're in a world where humans migrate from planet to planet, using up all the resources and then abandoning it for the next one. Hoshi is a kid with intense anger issues (he tattoos X's on his arms and chest when he beats someone up) obsessed with chickens (he's wearing the little chicken sunglasses on the cover) and Faith, a girl with metal in her head from a traumatic childhood accident. Neither of them are into the concept of moving to another planet, so from the very beginning we are introduced to them as "stay behinders" which is a super socially unaccepted group of people who, as you can guess, stay behind on the trashed planets. Hoshi and Faith not only both see Mr. Uzmaki for their therapist, they're also bullied by the same a-hole, Steve.
It's a cute story of friendship and finding belonging, and it also has super bright colors and is about space, which I love.
August 6, 2024
(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Netgalley. Content warning for sexual assault/harassment, animal cruelty, and interpersonal violence.)
-- 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 where necessary. --
On an unnamed planet, its remaining residents pack up buildings, exterminate what remains of their agricultural animals, and undergo psychological counseling for the days ahead. In the near future, humanity is a parasite: we hop from planet to planet, staying just long enough to strip it of resources before moving on. The adult "Pathfinders" make the journey first, in order to prepare their new "home" for their children. Naturally, this leads to no small amount of chaos and disaffection on the old planet.
Faith and Hoshi are "stay behinds," a small minority who choose not to make the trip. (Though seemingly allowed, staying on a planet is heavily discouraged; an automated recording on departing shuttles blares, "Failure to board on time will lead to abandonment and public shame.") Both are what you might call misfits: Faith has a metal plate bolted to her forehead, thanks to a night of drunken shenanigans by her now-dead parents. Hoshi struggles with anger management problems on account of his parents' constant absence. Faith's head plate attracts space junk; Counselor Uzmaki gifted Hoshi an emotional support hen (named Smudge and rescued from the kill floor) to help him cope.
I won't say more - partially because I'm not entirely sure what happened, but also because the joy is in the discovery. Suffice to say, SPACE JUNK is one weird and psychedelic graphic novel. The art is visually arresting, but also sometimes gets in the way of the narrative; again, it's often difficult to follow the action. I like the general idea of the story, but it kind of morphs from science fiction to magical realism (I think?) near the end. The ending was kind of perfect and much more satisfying than the mere beatdown I thought Steve was going to scrape by with. (Hate that guy.) Smudge really stole the show though imho.
-- 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 where necessary. --
On an unnamed planet, its remaining residents pack up buildings, exterminate what remains of their agricultural animals, and undergo psychological counseling for the days ahead. In the near future, humanity is a parasite: we hop from planet to planet, staying just long enough to strip it of resources before moving on. The adult "Pathfinders" make the journey first, in order to prepare their new "home" for their children. Naturally, this leads to no small amount of chaos and disaffection on the old planet.
Faith and Hoshi are "stay behinds," a small minority who choose not to make the trip. (Though seemingly allowed, staying on a planet is heavily discouraged; an automated recording on departing shuttles blares, "Failure to board on time will lead to abandonment and public shame.") Both are what you might call misfits: Faith has a metal plate bolted to her forehead, thanks to a night of drunken shenanigans by her now-dead parents. Hoshi struggles with anger management problems on account of his parents' constant absence. Faith's head plate attracts space junk; Counselor Uzmaki gifted Hoshi an emotional support hen (named Smudge and rescued from the kill floor) to help him cope.
I won't say more - partially because I'm not entirely sure what happened, but also because the joy is in the discovery. Suffice to say, SPACE JUNK is one weird and psychedelic graphic novel. The art is visually arresting, but also sometimes gets in the way of the narrative; again, it's often difficult to follow the action. I like the general idea of the story, but it kind of morphs from science fiction to magical realism (I think?) near the end. The ending was kind of perfect and much more satisfying than the mere beatdown I thought Steve was going to scrape by with. (Hate that guy.) Smudge really stole the show though imho.
August 7, 2024
Netgalley Review
Star Rating: ★★☆☆☆
This was a weird read. Read it all the way to the end and I'm still not sure what to think. It had some funny parts, some weird parts, some trying to be serious part. Overall, I just couldn't take it serious. I felt like a lot of the serious, heavy-hitter topics were kind of lost in the mess of everything else. The ending, I think, solidifies my comment. You get all the way to the end and you think everything is going to get answered and the serious topics are going to finally come to a head and everything is gonna get all wrapped up. Nope. Instead you get rush, rush, rush, rush, rush, the end. Hope you enjoyed the big topics that this book talked about.
It's a very abrupt end and really takes away from the rest of the book.
Art style is interesting. I wanted to not like it at first, but it definitely grew on me!
Like always though, read it and decide for yourself
Star Rating: ★★☆☆☆
This was a weird read. Read it all the way to the end and I'm still not sure what to think. It had some funny parts, some weird parts, some trying to be serious part. Overall, I just couldn't take it serious. I felt like a lot of the serious, heavy-hitter topics were kind of lost in the mess of everything else. The ending, I think, solidifies my comment. You get all the way to the end and you think everything is going to get answered and the serious topics are going to finally come to a head and everything is gonna get all wrapped up. Nope. Instead you get rush, rush, rush, rush, rush, the end. Hope you enjoyed the big topics that this book talked about.
It's a very abrupt end and really takes away from the rest of the book.
Art style is interesting. I wanted to not like it at first, but it definitely grew on me!
Like always though, read it and decide for yourself
July 17, 2024
Space Junk is weird, and it does weird extremely well. It's graphic, quirky, terrifying and heart melting, so if you're going in expecting a nice colorful linear sci-fi then you're in for the surprise of your life. Our characters live and bleed on the pages, so I won't give away any of the story. Just know that it takes patience for it all to make sense, and once it does you'll likely be as hooked as I was.
I rarely run into a weird book that stays with me, but this one is something special. If you're here for outcasts, brutal violence and intolerable injustice, come right in, we've saved you a spot on the rocketship.
✨ Disclaimer ✨ I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.
I rarely run into a weird book that stays with me, but this one is something special. If you're here for outcasts, brutal violence and intolerable injustice, come right in, we've saved you a spot on the rocketship.
✨ Disclaimer ✨ I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.
June 21, 2024
Space Junk aims to be a heart warming tale about to outcasts finding acceptance in each other as society abandons their wasted planet. Unfortunately whatever promise that concept may have is a waste. The plot devolves into a mash of random plots, horny bullies, and random magic powers just cause, all presented with ugly art and terrible, hard to follow dialogue.
I might have found some small reason to like it if I cared about the characters even a little, but I just didn't. "Had a hard life & is weird" isn't characterization, and trying to mimic "arthouse" isn't the same as having substance.
*ARC provided by NetGalley & IDW Publishing*
I might have found some small reason to like it if I cared about the characters even a little, but I just didn't. "Had a hard life & is weird" isn't characterization, and trying to mimic "arthouse" isn't the same as having substance.
*ARC provided by NetGalley & IDW Publishing*
October 13, 2024
This story is peculiar but with great artwork. The story is set on a colonised planet and the residents having sucked all they can from the planet are on their way to colonise another planet.
Some of the residents though have made up their minds not to go to the next planet, and as they prepare to stay in the now barren planet, new friendships are made and new life emerges from the old one.
The artwork is dream like which illustrates a world which has been consumed by its inhabitants. I thought the story was initially hard to follow but I enjoyed it in the end.
Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Some of the residents though have made up their minds not to go to the next planet, and as they prepare to stay in the now barren planet, new friendships are made and new life emerges from the old one.
The artwork is dream like which illustrates a world which has been consumed by its inhabitants. I thought the story was initially hard to follow but I enjoyed it in the end.
Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
November 5, 2024
I'm a bit torn on this review... I absolutely adored the vibrancy of the art: the shadows, the shapes, the color palette. I also loved the world building and how the stage was set, I'm all about dystopian civilizations who have to figure out resource allocation and community morals. Yet, the way the story progressed just didn't resonate with me. I never connected deeply with the main misfit characters and the ending was a little confusing and felt rushed. I would've liked to see more, in general.
May 19, 2025
A boy with trust/anger issues and a love of chickens and a girl with a cobbled together plate on her brain find each other on the edge of a mass exodus from the planet by the people to find another one to exploit and pollute. They don't feel like leaving to repeat the cycle.
Has that teenage ennui and disillusionment of Catcher in the Rye, but also has weird magic telekinesis involving objects having memories... seriously. I like that they didn't require a romance between the leads and I liked their misfit, damaged friendship. The telekinesis stuff pulled me out the story, though.
Has that teenage ennui and disillusionment of Catcher in the Rye, but also has weird magic telekinesis involving objects having memories... seriously. I like that they didn't require a romance between the leads and I liked their misfit, damaged friendship. The telekinesis stuff pulled me out the story, though.
August 30, 2024
What I loved most about this graphic novel was how it wasn't afraid to indulge in the weirdness of it all. It asks you to trust it as it explores odd paneling and unconventional story structure. If you allow yourself to trust the book and move with it then you're rewarded with a story that is full of emotion. The metaphors are dense, the imagery is gorgeous and overall the book resonates in the latter half. I think it's a great example of characters finding themselves.
September 10, 2024
On a planet that has been stripped of all its resources, there is no choice but to move on. As society wraps up their final days on the planet, a small group of misfits question the choice to move on. No one would really miss them if they stayed behind--so really why shouldn't they? Interesting and bleak, but with a hopeful ending.
February 21, 2025
I agree with another reviewer that the storytelling seemed very disjointed, jumping from this character's story to that character's story with any kind of narration or bridge between the two. While I understood the main plot, there were too many panels that seemed random and unattached to the story.
April 17, 2025
Very engaging art.
Odd book, for sure...I think I liked the therapist best, at least his relationships with the kids: the simpleness of him helping them and learning from listening too.
The bigger story, and it's forced explanation on the black and white page...um...much less so.
We'll have to see if this one lingers in the mind. I have a feeling it might.
Odd book, for sure...I think I liked the therapist best, at least his relationships with the kids: the simpleness of him helping them and learning from listening too.
The bigger story, and it's forced explanation on the black and white page...um...much less so.
We'll have to see if this one lingers in the mind. I have a feeling it might.
June 15, 2024
ARC from Netgalley
This one didn't do much for me. Partially I think I am too blame, I found the e-ARC kinda grainy and it made it hard to really get invested. That being said, it also didn't provide anything that engendered a want to get invested.
This one didn't do much for me. Partially I think I am too blame, I found the e-ARC kinda grainy and it made it hard to really get invested. That being said, it also didn't provide anything that engendered a want to get invested.
August 16, 2024
A solid sci-fi graphic novel that’s a little punk rock, and has a lot of heart. I’m not going to lie and say it’s all great because it wasn’t. Parts were clunky, and I wasn’t 100% sold on the side storyline, but it’s still an enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
December 24, 2024
Loved the art but found the narrative too easy and the hook not developed enough. Is the junk a metaphor? Is staying a metaphor? I know I can't expect cohesive worldbuilding in art comics but so much of this could be slightly tighter.
January 30, 2025
Berkisah tentang dua remaja yang tidak ingin ikut berpindah ke planet lain. Keduanya berasal dari latar yang berbeda, namun memiliki kesamaan yakni perasaan ditinggalkan dan ada metal pada tubuh mereka.
November 19, 2025
This was fine. It said something about being an outcast, but it also was kind of all over the place that it was kind of hard to follow anything. The art was fairly interesting but I never really felt I could get into the story.
Want to read
October 31, 2024Grpahoc novel found in greenlight bookstore. See if found in PVD bookstore
February 17, 2025
2.5 stars. Its weirdness got in the way of cohesive storytelling. About one third of it is pretty solid.
June 20, 2025
2.5 rounded down.
July 16, 2025
There's nothing majorly wrong with this book. Sure I was confused a few times but that's how I am with graphic novels. Why is there so much hate for it in the reviews?
September 11, 2025
fun but No t the most attuned to me so it didn’t hit suuuper hard or anything
December 7, 2025
Maybe I just wasn’t concentrating but this book was hard for me to follow. The art is nice but I feel like it was a little chaotic and couldn’t really tell what was going on.
July 16, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, IDW Publishing, and Top Shelf productions!
I want to start with what I really enjoyed. I love the art style. It’s unique and fits the story perfectly. I also really like the coloring of this comic. It’s beautiful and draws the eye in. The story is really heartwarming. Two traumatized people who feel like outcasts, find solace in one another. The characters were interesting as well. It was a good comic and I enjoyed reading, however I don’t think I will continue the series. It is not something I’m interested in exploring more and I feel like what I read was enough. 3/4 stars.
I want to start with what I really enjoyed. I love the art style. It’s unique and fits the story perfectly. I also really like the coloring of this comic. It’s beautiful and draws the eye in. The story is really heartwarming. Two traumatized people who feel like outcasts, find solace in one another. The characters were interesting as well. It was a good comic and I enjoyed reading, however I don’t think I will continue the series. It is not something I’m interested in exploring more and I feel like what I read was enough. 3/4 stars.
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