Writer: Larry Young
Artists: Matt Smith, Charlie Adlard
Trade paperback
Published by AiT/PlaNETlar 1999
$12.95

Reviewed by Scott J Grunewald

If you're like me, then aside from being devilishly sexy you've always had a secret wish that someday, someone would build a hotel on the moon so you can feel what it's like to be on another celestial body before you die. I've always thought I was alone with this silly dream. Turns out Larry Young had the same dream, only he turned his into ASTRONAUTS IN TROUBLE: LIVE FROM THE MOON.

Dave Archer, Annie Franklin, and Heck Allen are the best news team that Channel 7 has to offer. Ishmael Hayes, the richest man in America, has just invited them to come along with him to the moon. You see, Mr. Hayes has always had a thing for the moon, and has decided to commit a very large portion of his billions to colonizing it. Unfortunately, a militant environmentalist group calling themselves Green Sleeves have other plans. A failed Green Sleeves sabotage attempt leaves our moon-bound team with no choice but to launch themselves into space a week early to avert a major disaster.

And that's just the first issue. Frozen cows, mad billionaires, Mafioso with nuclear capabilities and lunar disasters quickly follow. This isn't a book that lets you catch your breath, and as soon as you think you know what's going to happen next, Young pulls the spacesuit out from under you.

"Young didn't write a comic; he wrote a character driven action movie"

Young didn't write a comic; he wrote a character driven action movie. His dialogue is involving and fun, his pacing excellent. He's crafted the kind of comic that I wish was more in fashion. A comic that was meant to be fun, exciting and gleefully light hearted, not bogged down in uber-hip "Dawson" speak or drenched in self-pity and overwrought emotion. ASTRONAUTS IN TROUBLE: LIVE FROM THE MOON is a comic that can be enjoyed again and again, asking only that you sit back and enjoy the ride.

To complement the fun and energetic story is the wonderfully simple and expressive artwork of Matt Smith (the first three issues) and Charlie Adlard (the last two). Their artwork is surprisingly similar in tone and feel, and yet unique in an odd kind of way. You don't notice the shift in art so much as feel it. Smith's artwork launches the book with solid rendering and a fun, light feel to the art that fits perfectly with the tone of the story. And the point where Adlard takes over the art chores with a slightly darker, more energetic style is the very moment that the story kicks into high gear.

The story isn't perfect. There are a few times where you have to take a leap of faith, like when a crewmember is shown smoking a cigarette in the moon base, or the ease with which nuclear weapons are deflected. But these are small gripes about an otherwise wonderful and unique comic.

For added fun, Young has even created an ASTRONAUTS IN TROUBLE SOUNDTRACK. It's a wonderful companion piece to the trade paperback, as it's paced well enough that you can pretty much listen to the whole thing while you read the story. It's an unusual idea that I certainly wish more creators would play with. As soon as I received a copy of the soundtrack I popped it in my player, dug out my issues of AiT and went to town. It raised the reading experience up a few notches and I recommend that you get yourself a copy (Young is pimping them off on his web site).

Young is truly someone to watch out for in the coming year. The fact that he's got a new AiT story coming out soon, along with two brand new stories from Image comics in the next year guarantees he'll certainly be around for a while. And personally, I couldn't be happier about that. Anyone looking for comics that remember they're supposed to be fun should be lining up to read ASTRONAUTS IN TROUBLE: LIVE FROM THE MOON

Recommended

Scott J Grunewald is Editor in Chief of PopImage.

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