Review: Debris #1

Debris #1 – Review

Written by: Kurtis J. Wiebe

Art by: Riley Rossmo

Colours by: Owen Gieni

Letters by: Ed Brisson

Cover by: Riley Rossmo

Published by: Image/Shadowline

Cover Price: $3.50 (USD)

Humanity is on the brink of extinction, natural resources are all but depleted and the surface of the Earth is covered in the garbage of an overindulgent and selfish society. To make matters worse, ancient spirits from the Earth called Colossals are rising to finish humanity off; taking the form of the garbage humanity has left behind. One woman stands in their way, Maya, the protector of the last tribe on Earth.

This is the premise of Debris, the new series from Kurtis Wiebe and Riley Rossmo, the creators behind the brilliant but unfortunately too short Green Wake. Wiebe and Rossmo are fast becoming my favourite creative partnership in comics and if you missed Green Wake then you should definitely give Debris a try.

It’s clear from the outset that Wiebe is crafting a grand narrative. The future setting and the large garbage monster Colossals give an instant sense of scale, but the focus on Maya makes sure that the
story doesn’t get lost in the setting or set pieces. There are some difficult moments for Maya to deal with in this issue, both physically and mentally and though Wiebe slightly uses a throw away character to add some extra emotional impact, it is effective overall.

Rossmo’s art is still working in perfect tandem with Wiebe’s writing, though his style is slightly different here to what I have seen before in Green Wake and Rebel Blood. Rossmo’s art in Debris is just as impressive, but his lines seem to be clearer and more defined than in previous works. I think the brilliant bright and soft colours from Owen Gieni also add to this sense of change. I’ve loved Rossmo’s art from the first time I saw it, but in Debris it is almost more refined; nevertheless the art is still recognisably Rossmo’s. The junk monsters are particularly impressive, especially when Maya battles one, with the speed and danger being contrasted against a soft blue sky.

The end of this issue sets Maya off on a journey for her tribe and once again I have been hooked by Wiebe and feel in awe of Rossmo’s talent. I’m already disappointed that Debris is only solicited as a four issue mini-series.

8/10