Debris

Young warrior Maya battles mystical, mechanical monsters as she crosses a postapocalyptic wasteland in search of water for her dying village. Reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki's films (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind), Wiebe and Rossmo's work favors storytelling over exposition: an explanation for the world's current chaotic state is offered in a mere one-page dialog near the end, for example. Though this style may infuriate some readers, the book's emphasis is on Maya's struggle, so the dehydrated world being stalked by mechanical spirit creatures becomes less interesting. The pages are a treat for the senses, filled with lush artwork in a soft color palate and sketchy drawing style. While Rossmo's slightly risqué cover (originally a pinup drawn for Emerald City ComicCon's "Monsters and Dames" series) served as the story's inspiration, it belies the quality of both the art and the tightly written script within.