This week the entire series of Debris was released in a trade paperback. By creative team Kurtis Wiebe and Riley Rossmo, also responsible for Green Wake, plus art by Owen Gieni. This is an original and somewhat lighthearted spin on post apocalyptic Earth and the last remaining humans who inhabit it.
Debris begins with an introduction to a human outpost called Maiden, where what is believed to be the last human beings on Earth are struggling to survive. Water is extremely scarce; the people of Maiden dedicate their time and energy to keeping an old machine working which is providing them with water. Maiden has always had an appointed Protector to keep them safe from gigantic, ancient spirits called Colossus that attack them from the wastelands surrounding the town. Maya is the most recent Protector and she finds herself in a unique position when the water supply is threatened and her people are in desperate need of a miracle to save them.
Maya sets out on a long, dangerous journey to find a legendary place, described in old myths to contain the water supply and land that can keep the human race alive. No one in Maiden has seen this place before but Maya is dedicated to doing what her mentor asked of her as a final request. The mythical village of Athabasca is hidden somewhere beyond the mountains, many miles and violent Colossus standing in the way. The journey will challenge Maya’s dedication to her responsibilities as Maiden’s protector, show her a world beyond home that she never dreamed of and bring many new faces in to her life.
Debris is a charming story of discovery and struggle, action packed and fun with no lack of humorous moments. It’s easy to feel familiar and endeared to Maya from the start as you watch her grow from a stubborn child to a strong willed woman who won’t let anything stop her from proving her place in a world that seems to oppose her very existence. Although the material is somewhat heavy, Debris manages to feel light, dropping witty charm throughout the story. Wiebe and Rossmo are a great team, making the entire series feel harmonious, the art and story perfect bedmates. Although this is not my favorite work from Riley Rossmo, it is a nice introduction to his style. He uses color as a exclamation point in the pages, drawing your eye to focus on what he feels is most important on each panel. Sometimes that is movement, shadow, a sprawling landscape or a tear in the eye of a grieving character.
This is an easy read story and a nice book to have in your collection, especially if you’re a fan of the work of Riley Rossmo, like I am. It is a perfect story to have in a trade paperback, a quick read when you want a little adventure with big heart.
