Void Trip #1
Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Ryan O’ Sullivan
Artist: Plaid Klaus
Review by Anelise Farris
I have a thing for space scenes, and when I saw the cover of Void Trip #1, I wanted to frame it and hang it on my wall. No joke. But fortunately Void Trip has more than just a pretty face; it is also a fantastic road trip story set in space. There’s a lot of space-travel comics, but Void Trip is unique in that it is not a story about a space crew or an intergalactic war. Instead, we meet Ana and Gabe—two bohemians living the good life, just traveling through space in search of nirvana: a legendary planet named Euphoria. So is it all good vibes and sweet skyscapes? Of course not! Ana and Gabe are being followed by an evil deity that is determined to stop them from reaching their destination…but why?
Void Trip #1 does a fantastic job of introducing readers to the characters, establishing the mission at hand, and introducing the right amount of tension with the resident villain. Ana is young, optimistic, and full of energy, while Gabe is a more seasoned space traveler, a realist, who expects the world to function according to the same morality that it did when they weren’t the last two humans in the world. These differences between the characters allow for playful dialogue, thoughtful conversations, and the right amount of tension. I found myself to be a mix of both of the characters, identifying with Ana’s “what will be, will be” attitude, as well as Gabe’s more structured mentality.
Science fiction has always been my favorite because I find it to be the most “real” in that it isn’t afraid to bring in the philosophy and difficult subject matter, and Void Trip has all of this. We’re only into the first issue of the series, and we are already faced with questions like, how does destiny interact with agency, and is the universe for us or against us. So yeah, there is a heavy dose of existential dread, but this depth is balanced by lighthearted fun and our compelling space hobos.
Finally, since I began this review by gushing about the cover art, it is worth mentioning that the art is consistently well done in Void Trip #1. There are wide gutters (a personal favorite of mine) and unique panel arrangements. The style is realistic, and the sophisticated use of soft, surreal coloring—with just the right amount of brightness—contributes to the otherworldly quality of this story. The art marries well with the writing to present us with a vast, seemingly endless world that definitely emphasizes the “void” part of the trip.
Verdict:
Buy it! Void Trip is a gorgeous road-trip space story, not interested in the before or after; it’s all about the journey, and I’m definitely jumping on for the ride. Void Trip #1 will be in your local comic shops November 22, so while you are waiting be sure to check out our interview with the creative team.
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