Space Junk - by Julian Hanshaw (Paperback)

About the Book

"In the shattered remnants of a doomed planet, the last shuttles are leaving soon... So why do these misfits want to stay behind? Faith has a metallic mystery bolted to her head. Hoshi keeps his rage in check with an emotional support chicken. On a dying world where most adults have already left and the remaining kids are training for their turn, these two are starting to wonder "what's the point?" Gradually, a cluster of lonely souls who've spent their lives emotionally adrift are pulled into one another's orbits as they try to stay in place in a universe that is moving all too quickly. With Space Junk, the startling imagination of award-winning graphic novelist Julian Hanshaw explores profound questions of past and future, trauma and recovery, staying grounded and taking flight."--

Book Synopsis

In the shattered remnants of a doomed planet, the last shuttles are leaving soon... So why do these misfits want to stay behind?

Faith has a metallic mystery bolted to her head. Hoshi keeps his rage in check with an emotional support chicken. On a dying world where most adults have already left and the remaining kids are training for their turn, these two are starting to wonder "what's the point?" Gradually, a cluster of lonely souls who've spent their lives emotionally adrift are pulled into one another's orbits as they try to stay in place in a universe that is moving all too quickly.

With Space Junk, the startling imagination of award-winning graphic novelist Julian Hanshaw explores profound questions of past and future, trauma and recovery, staying grounded and taking flight.

Review Quotes

"These are broken people in a broken world... but so are we. The tenderness that Julian Hanshaw finds for his characters will touch you as deeply as his dystopian sci-fi visuals will haunt your dreams."
-- Moby

"Dazzling, enigmatic, and intimate. Nobody captures the atmosphere of a lonesome summer evening on a semi-abandoned space colony like Julian Hanshaw."
-- Krent Able (Kane & Able, Krent Able's Big Book of Mischief)

"An accumulation of fiery indignities and small moments of beauty brings the dreamlike narrative to an explosive climax and a conclusion that's both optimistic and satisfying... This lush allegory of defiance and growing up resembles a sci-fi version of Daniel Clowes's Ghost World." -- Publishers Weekly

"With a dry sense of humor rife with unlikely silver linings, Space Junk explores sitting still in a world moving dangerously fast." -- Booklist

"...a touching graphic novel in which two teenagers find each other amid the wreckage of a discarded planet. The book carries an unspoken environmental message--and potent reminders about the value of community and of putting down roots." -- Foreword Reviews

"A fresh take on young-adult themes of friendship, family tensions, rebellion, and sexual awakening with the loose threads pulled together with craft, wit and empathy... It ought to attract and satisfy a wide readership." -- The Slings & Arrows Graphic Novel Guide

"A unique blend of poignant and thought-provoking story with elements of science fiction and coming-of-age themes makes for a well rounded graphic novel. Julian Hanshaw has created a truly unique and special graphic novel that is worth adding to your book shelf." -- Capes and Tights

"A truly captivating story, and one that touches on everything from space colonization to grief and abandonment... Amid the bright colors and inventive sci-fi designs, Hanshaw uses Space Junk to get at the most universal concept: home, and what it really and truly means." -- AiPT

About the Author

Julian Hanshaw won the Observer/Comica Short Story Award in 2008. His graphic novels with Top Shelf, Self Made Hero, and Jonathan Cape include the Prix Europa-winning The Art of Pho, as well as I'm Never Coming Back, Cloud Hotel, and Free Pass. Julian contributed to Hoax: Psychosis Blues and also co-edited the anthologies I Feel Machine and I Feel Love, the former having one of its stories nominated for an Eisner. His graphic novel Tim Ginger was shortlisted for the British Comic Award and the LA Times Book Prize. Julian has animated on BAFTA-winning shows including Charlie & Lola. His own animation short film won a Golden Reel Award in Los Angeles. He lives on the south coast of the UK.