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Comic Book Review - Space Bastards Vol. 2

Rob Lake reviews Space Bastards Vol. 2...


Space Bastards Vol. 2 is the next instalment in the "adventures" of the Intergalactic Postal Service and its team of "dead-icated" employees. 

When describing what Space Bastards is the Kickstarter campaign sums it up perfectly. It's a "high-octane, outrageous romp of a comic filled with murderous mailmen, angry accountants, terrible mentors, aliens, space pirates, betrayal, and a whole lot of punching". After reading Volume 2, you'll see just how correct this statement is! 

The outline of Space Bastards sounds like your typical sci-fi filled with greedy Corporations and deprived citizens. But underneath this, it's so much more. The plot revolves around the Intergalactic Postal Service and its unique job role. It's a high-paying, high-risk job that also happens to be the deadliest in the universe. The postal service runs with a dog-eat-dog mentality, where the weak loose out to the strong, who then loose out to the cleaver. As each package changes courier, the higher the payout is at the end. It's a great concept for a comic book and gives plenty of opportunities for some fantastic, yet crazy action pieces.

After suffering betrayal at the hands of Proton, it's safe to say that ultra-aggressive psychopath Manicorn is a bit pissed off. Baying for Proton's blood Manicorn sets off a chain of events that ends with him being forced into taking some time off. Due to this Manicorn ends up missing probably the most important package in his career...Proton himself! Thankfully for Proton, Resurrection Mary is on the case as she takes up the task of delivering Proton to the hospital. At least the Intergalactic Postal Service takes care of its employees...

Resurrection Mary continues to play a part in the next story as we're taken back into her past. No one knows Mary yet as she's on her ride-along with Vince, a giant Elephant. As Vince's ride-along Mary (no Resurrection yet) is unwittingly thrown into 'Sharptoberfest', high steaks gamble on a highly contested delivery. 
The rest of Volume 2 takes us away from the IPS as we follow Layla into deep space in search of a missing positioning beacon, with a ragtag crew of scientists, and a grumpy former space pirate. 

Across the whole of Space Bastards Vol. 2, Aubrey and Patterson expand and build upon everything that started in Vol. 1. It's great to see Proton go from Courier to package, and then see how the IPS works from the other side of the coin. Roy Sharpton is still an enigma of awesomeness. I can't tell if he's an idiot who's stumbled onto something big or a business genius. Whilst the issues between Sharpton and Powers remains unresolved, the Corporate top-dog pushes his influence over the ICP as he disables the Police protection that Sharpton's ICP relies so heavily upon. 

Behind the gorgeous artwork throughout Space Bastards Vol. 2 is a wealth of well-known names such as Darick Robertson, Colin MacNeil, Boo Cook, Clint Langley. Each artist brings their unique style to each part of the Space Bastards story, and it's a great way to highlight another viewpoint in the grand scheme of things. 

Darick Robertson continues to bring his signature style across to volume 2. His art is incredible and everything from the high-tempo action pieces - to the slower dramatic moments just flow with detail and vibrancy. Colin MacNeil then takes over for Resurrection Mary's "origin story". I've always admired MacNeil's art and to see his crisp clean lines is always a plus. Clint Langley then gives us a finale that's nothing like the rest of the volume and has that deep space 2000 AD, Warhammer 40K vibe - of which both Langley has worked on. 

As comics go, Space Bastards Vol. 2 is a fantastic read. Eric Peterson and Joe Aubrey have a clear passion for this world of theirs and it shows throughout. From the in-depth character building, right to gratuitous action, Space Bastards is a clever, ultra-aggressive comic that's just begging to be picked up. 

Rating 9/10

Space Bastards can be purchased via the Space Bastards website by clicking here.

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev

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