Reviewed By Jorge Solis. With a truly dynamic mix of story and art, “Headspace” delivers a compelling read that raises questions about human nature. The thin line between humans and monsters is blurred as premise sinks deep into the physiology of the characters. The trade paperback of “Headspace” collects all eight issues of phenomenal sci-fi thriller.
WRITTEN BY: Ryan K. Lindsay
ART BY: Eric Zawadzki / Sebastian Piriz
PUBLISHER: MonkeyBrain Comics/IDW Publishing
PRICE: $19.99
RELEASE: April 29, 2015
There is a town called Carpenter Cove that thrives on blood and chaos. Filled with killer alligators, kids with guns, and dragons, the only thing keeping the town sane is their sheriff, Shane. A town like Carpenter Cove doesn’t seem to make much sense. That’s because Carpenter Cove doesn’t exist in reality. This town was built inside the mind of a serial killer named Max. Is Shane part of someone else’s imagination? Or is he trapped in his own nightmare he can’t wake up from?
The big “twist” isn’t even a twist; it’s a framing device for insanity and horror. Shane fights his way through the volatile headspace of Max, a serial killer on the run. The script switches between bothPOV’s to fantastic effect. You watch as the nature of Max’s situation is reflected in the madness of Carpenter Cove. Within said insanity, Shane must find a way to define himself and his situation against everything in his way. Shane’s exploration into his own nature provides much of the motivation for reading the series. After a few pages Lindsay makes it clear that while Shane may seem in control of his city, visions of a long lost son cause fleeting moments of inescapable terror.
Writer Ryan K. Lindsay explores the themes of good and evil through fathers and their children. Is Max a sad victim of his harsh environment? Interestingly enough, Max is a guinea pig in a secret government experiment as scientists manipulate his fears and memories to create Carpenter Cove. At what point does a person accept his fate and say he’s a puppet; and life is pulling at the strings?
The narrative moves at a fast pace because of Eric Zawadzki and SebastianPiriz’s surreal artwork.The art is stellar all around. The sequences in Carpenter Cove are cleanly laid out and feature some of the most vibrant creature and character designs around. The town is fully realized. Zawadzki’s style is incredible. He spares no detail and has a knack for incredible perspective. As if this all wasn’t enough he colors his own work. Tonally everything is beautiful and totally soaked in the bleak emotions the script communicates. The momentum never loses a beat as the artwork keeps putting Shane in one action sequence to another. The character design of Max keeps changing to represent the Id, Ego, and Superego. With his cowboy hat and badge, Shane represents the law and authority that’s missing in a town gone wild.
Thank goodness for trade paperbacks, “Headspace” is a highly enjoyable and should not be missed.