Spaceman 6

By Philip Shropshire On July 9, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In Comic Book News, Comic Books

Writer: Brian Azzarello

Artist: Eduardo Risso

Published by Vertigo

Our story so far: Last issue we learned that the producers of the “Realtee” show that features a rich glamorous couple and their many foster kids (Brangelina/early 80s Allen-Farrow style with kids from many countries…) knew about the kidnapping of Tara. What we don’t know is if the parents are in on it because having your child kidnapped that’s just a ratings bonanza don’t you know. We’re also introduced to the world of the other genetically altered guy who, quite frankly, looks to be a better designed version than our decent somewhat bulletproof Orson.

So, we have Orson who’s trying to protect Tara. We have Orson’s former virtual prostitute and her hired gang of killers also after Tara. And we have this other genetically altered guy also looking for Tara, although we’re not entirely sure why. If I recall the other genetically altered guy was hired by a crime syndicate so he might mean Tara harm.

Three big things stood out for me this issue:

Can other people join the virtual reality game that Orson accesses by way of those very cool drugs that I want so bad? Here’s a pic of the virtual reality world.

So this wouldn’t just be a world that’s created within your own mind, using some kind of neurological hack we can only dream of but this is really a kind of World of Warcraft, by the hit? I wish this was made more clear as to what the product is. Is the game designed to realize your dreams because Orson’s dream was to go Mars, even though in the virtual reality war there’s some murdering of the “Broadahs”.

Two, this isn’t always an easy book to read because the writer, in a very disciplined way, is creating his own language for this world. I probably mentioned this before but its very much like the lingo in Star Trek TNG Darmok (“Zinda, his face black, his eyes red.”)or the language in “A Clockwork Orange“. Just for the record, “braind” is used like a verb and apparently means “to know”. “Scope” means to see but there are all kinds of clever turns of language. But it doesn’t make it easier to read. And there’s no way you’ll figure out what’s going on midway. Have to read this from the start. Definitely makes me want to cut off Brian Azzarelo’s yarbles.

Three, the American future (I think this is the Americas but you’re not really sure) has turned into one big gated community while the rest of what’s left of humanity lives on something slightly less drenched than Waterworld but definitely hazardous. Here’s the Great Wall of the America’s I think. Guess which half the one percent lives in?