In Mark Russell and Roberto Meli’s fantastic Traveling to Mars, an upcoming graphic novel from Ablaze Comics, the Earth rapidly approaches catastrophe. It’s the year 2048 and humans have near completely exhausted the planet of all of its natural resources. Luckily, an unmanned rover found a wealth of resources hidden under the surface on Mars. The question then remains, who gets the rights to this oasis of energy? The answer is just one of many hilarious satirical elements in this graphic novel, whose pitch-black humor and surprisingly moving character moments make it one of the most memorable comics released in the past few years.
Russell, who came to prominence after writing a truly affecting satire in the curious guise of a Flintstones reboot comic, turns his acerbic wit to such topics as climate change, AI rights, healthcare and life in a dead-end town. The main character, Roy Livingston, begins the tale as a pet store manager in a tiny Alabama town who learns he has stage four, inoperable cancer. At the same time, a new space race begins between not only countries, but various corporations to determine who gets first dibs on the Martian mineral rights. The Easy Beef artificial meat company recruits Roy, who is the ideal candidate as a return trip from Mars is impossible, but a one-way voyage is all the company needs to win the race and the rights.
As Roy acclimates to life onboard the cold, sterile spaceship, he ruminates on his life, lost love and his various missed opportunities. This is where the book truly resonates. The long soliloquies Roy goes on speak not only of his own depressing life, but also human nature and the fragility of life, among other topics. Many of these passages were deeply moving, especially the long-running mystery of why the one bright spot in his life, his marriage, failed spectacularly, and what became of his ex-wife. The surprisingly touching denouement of this plotline stands out as a highlight.
Of course, humor and biting satire is the true meat of the story. Not a page goes by without a dig at some aspect of humanity, whether it be greed, war or inequality. This is the true litmus test of whether one will enjoy the graphic novel. Fans of satirical sci-fi, akin to Black Mirror or Kurt Vonnegut, should give this book a try. Even if you have never read a comic book, the story and, especially, the writing transcend whatever misgivings one may have for the medium. This book gets a wholehearted recommendation.
Reviewed by Aaron Berkowitz
Publication date - November 12, 2024
Reserve a physical copy - TBA
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