Space Bastards #2 is a winner. The first issue introduced us to the Intergalactic Postal Service run by sleazy business tycoon Roy Sharpton. The second takes the origins route and tells us how Roy came to found the company and its bloody beginnings. Along the way writer Eric Peterson, Joe Aubrey, and artist Darick Robertson don’t spare any expense at keeping us laughing at this rags-to-riches, messed up money scheme adventure. It’s a thought-provoking reminder that you don’t have to be the smartest person in the room if you own it.
If you take Adam Sandler’s character from Uncut Gems, Leonardo DiCaprio’s character from The Wolf of Wall Street, and Biff Tannen from Back to the Future and put them all together, you get Roy Sharpton: a wise-talking con man who is as business savvy as an unopened can of tuna. Space Bastards #2 follows Roy’s remarkable rise by manipulating people and the Postal Service for his own financial gain. Once you witness what he does, he truly earns the title of witless scumbag.
The writing remains solid, with a few shots at real-world politics and making fun of the government. Engagement wise, it’s equally as interesting as the first with a lot more humor. The transition between pages feels seamlessly organic and the dialogue is full of great moments. The only element of the story that’s not mentioned is whether or not Roy had a spouse or any children. Perhaps it’ll be brought up in a future chapter.
The illustrations provided by Robertson remain as raunchy, violent, and awesome as ever. He has a keen eye for utilizing every inch of panels in a broad and creative way. Robertson’s also always been superb at creating a diverse group of characters and making each person stand out from one another. I love his character design choice for Roy — if Space Bastards were ever to become a television show, my first choice to play him would be Marc Maron.
Space Bastards #2 feels like Eric Peterson, Joe Aubrey, and Darick Robertson joined forces with Mel Brooks to deliver yet another hysterical chapter to their story. Space Bastards now occupies a special place in my comic heart and I’m sure you’ll feel the same way too. The writing is great, the action is badass and the fun seems to just be getting started.
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