3.75 STARS

CW: violence, gore, blood, murder, death (including of children), slavery, racism, xenophobia, mention of torture, genocide

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Upon reading the title and seeing the cover, I was expecting something more light-hearted than what this was. I want to make it very clear that this is very violent, there are many depictions of killing and blood and pretty much exclusively heavy themes.

The art style was fine, I was a little overwhelmed sometimes with the way the panels were ordered and there was so much going on every page.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the story and it kept me engaged and interested throughout. I hope this will continue so we learn more about the characters (especially the nameless child who got saved). There was a resolution to the plot somewhat but there are still so many things that have been left unexplained and that I really want to learn more about.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Image Comics for an advance copy of a graphic novel about the future, outer space, the crimes we allow, and the families we make while trying to atone.

When people wanted to get away from themselves, or reputations no matter how true or unfounded, they went West, changing names, or hiding out from they were, or what they were afraid of becoming. Outer space might soon be the new west, as people trying to get away work in the vaccum of space, going place to place, never settling, and always worried, about that past that always seems close behind. And the violence that it portends. Space Mullet written and illustrated by Daniel Warren Johnson is the story of a man on the run from his past, and his slow allowance of people coming into his life, making him whole, while helping others, some of the time.

Jonah is a deep space trucker who takes the jobs that few others want, but one's that keep him out of the spotlight. Once Jonah was a Marine, until the day his force took part in a atrocity that made him go AWOL, and also hate himself. Jonah's partner is an alien by the name of Alphius who loves to cook, and bust on Jonah, while being his friend. Jonah gets a call from a fellow marine, who says there is proof about the war crime that Jonah was involved in, and too clear himself Jonah is going to have to retrieve it. This starts a cascade of events, leaving many hurt, much destruction and enemies being made. However as Jonah finds more people, people damaged or with reasons to hide like he does, a bond is being created, a bond that might change everything.

A big sprawling book featuring space opera, PTSD, the racism and xenophobia, and the importance of letting people help when they can. Jonah is an interesting character, capable of wanting to do the right thing, mostly incapable of doing it right. The story is a lot more than I thought it was, with a cast that grows, and really elevates this from a simple space story to something bigger. Plus the book is pretty funny. Funny in many ways, from oh man these guys can't rescue anybody, to just plain old jokes. The balance of jokes and tragedy really made the story hit harder. The artwork was very fitting. Nice detailed backgrounds, cool looking tech, and characters that look alien, and yet seem familiar. This might not be for all ages, teens have probably seen worse on TikTok, but it is a violent book, so be warned if that is something that might bother you.

I have read quite a few things from Daniel Warren Johnson, recently his story Do a Powerbomb!, which if one likes wrestling, or theology one will enjoy. I liked this as it had a sense that Johnson was feeling out what he could do, the emotional depth, the use of art, and character development. A fun story, with a lot of heart.

This was great. The artwork was fabulous, and the story was interesting. It was quite funny, and I found myself smiling a lot whilst reading. I’m looking forward to reading more by the author.

"Space-Mullet: One Gamble at a Time " is the the unrepentantly high octane, dysfunctional loser-buddy Space Opera romp about found family and second chances that you did not know was missing from your life.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Image Comics, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Received as an ARC from Netgalley:

I had a great time with this comic, the artwork was excellent, and the central concept was well executed.

A bunch of outcasts finding community and support within a small group is one of my favourite tropes. This one comes with a little more hard hitting material than most, with a very Alienesque feel to its corporate dystopia.

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

I thought this was just going to be a goofy action adventure, but there was a surprising amount of emotion in the stories. There are moments of levity, but also some depressing themes. I also enjoyed the artwork. The limited color palette served it well. Entertaining read.

Really loved the title for this series and the cover art was intriguing.

Jonah and his alien friend Alphius are trying to keep their space trucking business going whilst trying to avoid the authorities as Jonah is a deserter and this forms a large core of the main story.

The whole of this collection though is taken up with bringing the disparate crew together, all with their own secrets and needs to stay hidden.

I loved the sparseness of the illustration style, used to great effect to portray the action throughout the story.

I also loved the nods to our own era in the form of Imperialism and racism, and how this effects interactions throughout the various character arcs.

A great space romp with lots of directions to go in as this was just the gang getting together storyline.

and yes I could see the reasons why it would be aimed at fans of Firefly and Cowboy BeBop.

I was given this by NetGalley and Image Comics in exchange for an honest review.

The blurb said that this was for fans of Cowboy Beebop and Firefly. As I haven't ever read any Cowboy Beebop I was sold mainly on the idea that it would be like Firefly and I was sorely disappointed.
While there are similarities to the space-western this mainly takes the form of homages like scenes of Firefly playing on the background TVs, dialogue picked from the show or the fact that the spaceship looks remarkably similar to Serenity. Also, the idea of a young child with extraordinary powers caught by a rag-tag group of jaded ex-military who are doing their best to shaft the government is less a homage and more of a direct copy- but then it is a cliche for a reason.
But that is where the similarities to Firefly stop as this held very little of the same type of humor and went more for extra gritty melodrama. The characters were fine and reacted well as a group and the addition of various aliens and their traumas made for an interesting dynamic.
I did enjoy the scenes with the roller derby to the death.
The art style, while not my taste, was very well done and it was easy to follow for the most part. Although in all honesty, it took me a while to work out if the main character had a moustache or if his mouth was drawn like that.
I liked the story but not really enough to read more.

I’ve enjoyed a lot of Daniel Warren Johnson books but this wasn’t one of them. Didn't care for the story and the art in particular put me off.

Space Mullet is a pretty decent science fiction comic. It's got some cool world-building and a cast of serviceable, if not deep, characters. The art is nifty. It's got an old school Paul Pope feel to it and it really helps create a sense of texture. This is a lived-in universe and the art shows that.

The story itself moves nicely. While there are several subplots and flashbacks, the story doesn't feel overstuffed or bulky. The main character, Jonah of the titular space mullet, is the focus of most of the character development work. I could have used some more of the supporting cast, but I think the focus served the story well enough.

Most of this book follows the story of ex-Space Marine Jonah and his alien buddy Alphius as they struggle to complete a mission for the government that will clear Jonah’s conscience. Nothing goes to plan. The final chapter is much more lighthearted: a fun little battle with some team bonding (it was a welcome and hopeful close to the story).
This comic reminds me of a combination of Cowboy Bebop and the more sociopolitical elements included in the Star Wars series. Looking back on my reading experience, I realize it’s something my grandfather and uncles would love.
I highly recommend it to fans of soft sci-fi/cyberpunk that’s heavy on politics and found family, and to fans of gritty (but not overly gory) comics typical of this publisher.

My thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for providing me with a digital ARC to review.

3.5
This story has an interesting universe, but I found myself growing uninterested in the story as nothing really is explained. The first 3 chapters focus mainly on Jonah trying to escape his past, and Alphius being dragged alongside him. This part of the story is interesting, but it feels like it ends abruptly. The second half of the story brings in another person, Peggy Sue, but I personally find it a bit sloppily done. Also, Peggy Sue joining the crew literally isn't shown nor explained, she's just suddenly there. If the story was a bit more polished, I think I would have enjoyed it more. The art style is unique, and it's really well done. The action scenes were excellent, and so dynamic! Full landscapes of giant spaceport cities were also amazingly done. The art really makes you feel the sheer size of the spaceport city. I also enjoyed the limited palette, it gives the art a nice flavor. This story does have some Cowboy Bebop vibes, but it had a bit of Tank Girl to it as well. Apparently, this was originally a webcomic, but I looked it up, and its last update was back in 2017. It appears that this standalone graphic novel was actually meant to be the first volume in a series. This makes sense because as a standalone novel, it does not work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

This was a really cool graphic novel. I enjoyed the art style and the plot immensely. I've always really liked sci-fi stories and this is one of the better ones I've read. The plot wasn't confusing but I'm left with wanting more because it seems like this is only volume one of the whole story. We barely meet the characters before the story finishes a bit abruptly. The first two parts were about the two different groups coming together (Jonah, Al and the little alien that I think was unnamed?, and Peggy and Howard) but the third part was one of their first adventures together. All three parts were good but I was hoping for a little bit more backstory and maybe one more adventure of all of them together. What we have is still really fun though! An alien sprouting out of a dishwasher was not what I expected at all.

I'm interested to know how Peggy, Al and Jonah are going to get along because Peggy very vehemently hated Al and his race of aliens (I think its called Zozobians). They didn't seem to talk about that at all after they all came together and started travelling. I also, for some reason, thought Bobbi was part of the crew. I thought I saw her on the cover so it was very unexpected to me that she died. I didn't see it coming at all. I also hate that some of her last words were her apologizing for being selfish. It was her money. She didn't owe Jonah anything. She just met the man and I wish she had survived because she was such a kind and sweet person and SHE WAS ALMOST FREE! I hate that she was used as a plot device for Jonah. That wasn't fair to her.

Space Mullet tells the story of Jonah, a former Marine who now makes a living as the captain of a ship for hirs.
The book was written and drawn by Daniel Warren Johnson. He is someone new to me. I’ve heard good things about his work.
The story was great. It flowed nicely. Had some good characters and some great comedy bits. I’ll definitely be looking into things he’s writing in the future.
As for the artwork, that’s where I had a problem. It was black and white (no problem there) with thick inks. A lot of the panels were heavily detailed, as well. It still seemed to have a rough, unfinished quality that pulled me out of some panels. He also used some blue for a bit of shading or contrast. That pulled me out, as well. From time to time when it was used, I was reminded of a storyboard. Almost like they used those instead of finished panels.
Other readers may not have the problem with the art that I did, so that comes down to individual choice. No one, however, should have a problem with the writing.

Thank you Image Comics and Netgalley for this ARC.

SPACE MULLET promises Firefly and Cowboy Bebop vibes, and delivers.
There is space, different planets, a not so shiny spaceship and your ragtag crew of misfits doing good as they go along.

The art and story are good, and the characters are charming.
I had a great time.

Space Mullet is original, unique, and a damn amount of fun. I enjoyed the artwork as well, and to be honest that’s not even something I usually pay attention too in graphic novels closely.

I'm not sure if the story was that interesting but I liked the main characters and the way they interacted a lot. The artwork was also really cool. I would read more just to see how they get out of trouble next time.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Thanks to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is an instant 2 out of 5 stars for me. I was really interested in the art style, that first two page spread looked wicked cool and I loved the simplicity of the art but the story instantly lost me. I just didn't care about anything that happened. I requested this because I like most things from Image Comics but this one was just not my cup of tea.

Netgalley Review

Star Rating: ★★★☆☆

I really wanted to like this. Especially after I saw them compare it to Cowboy Bebop. So maybe I held it to too high of a scale, but it just wasn't as good as I expected. Not a bad read and I'm glad that I read it, but I'm not sure if I'll go out of my way to read later volumes. If I need something to read and it's around I'd pick it up, but if I had something to read already the 2nd volume would have definitely been put aside.


Like always read it and decide for yourself!

Fantastic work from a major talent. Daniel Warren Johnston is distinct in his work and style. Well worth the read, and heavy metal fun from a publisher that always delivers.