GVN Talking Comics Review: Mad Cave Studios ‘Don’t Spit In The Wind’ Issue 2

Issue 1 Recap

When last we left Don’t Spit in the Wind, we were introduced to the current state of affairs on planet Earth. Just as had been forewarned by scientists and ecologists, man’s carelessness with keeping our planet clean and sustainable, has reaped its rewards. The planet is no longer capable of sustaining human life and most the population has been transferred to a space station in orbit above the earth. The only ones still on the planet are the workers who are tasked with trying to clean up the refuge and those zealots who believe that this is what their gods wanted all along.

Meet Travis

Among those responsible for trying to dig out of the hole humanity has dug is Travis. He works for the Atomic Bros. A company owned by the Cacace Brothers who have accepted the contract to somehow attempt to clean up the mess. Travis is a member of the ground units and works with Tommy, who drives one of the Clear World’s Garbage Collectors. Basically a industrial sized mechanized Garbage Truck. One of many scattered on the surface. As they work, they lose contact with one of their other units, Unit 6 and a man named McGlusky. Travis is assigned to attempt to make contact and see what happened.

As he starts to proceed to their last known location, he sees Cassandra fly overhead. She pilots one of their large barges that carry toxic and radioactive waste. She is also Travis girlfriend. The love of his life. One day, they hope to make enough money to be able to afford to move into the space station and get married. But for now, life is all about garbage.

The Search for McGlusky

As Travis nears the last known location, he calls another of their units, Unit 4, a man named Rodriguez to inquire about Unit 6. Rodriguez complains reminding Travis their shift is just about over. However, he agrees to investigate along with his Garbage Truck driver. They enter the last known location of McGlusky to investigate. All the while trying to use the comm system to reach him. No answer. As they delve deeper into the facility, they find McGlusky…at least what’s left of him. Rattled, they call for assistance.

But Travis, he has his own problems. A swarm of locusts has overwhelmed him. He asks for backup, but Unit 4 is busy in their search for Unit 6. Central Control tells him all other units are unavailable. He breaks out his flame thrower to attempt to stem the tide of locusts. Looks like both him and Unit 4 are on their own.

Issue 2 – The Gods of Chaos

Travis and Rodriguez were dealing with their own issues. Both were calling for Central Control for assistance, but he didn’t answer. Apparently, he was suffering from a hangover. If you spent most of your time cleaning up garbage, or at least administering to those who did, you might drink too. Not that was helping either Travis or Rodriguez any. Unfortunately, CC soon had their own problem as the zealots who worshipped the plastic gods blew up his vehicle. This was a victory for their Gods. The God of Chaos, the Gods of Plastic, the God of Abandoned Waste. Glory to them all.

Things Look Bleak

Meanwhile, the flamethrower that Travis was using to hold back the locust hoard was running out of fuel. With no way to refuel at that moment, he knew this was the end, as the locusts overwhelmed him. Soon all you could see was his gloved hand.

Rodriguez and his driver were not fairing any better. After finding McGlusky’s head detached from his body, they attempted to leave the facility. But ran into what no doubt had ended McGlusky’s journey. A hugely mawed creature that ebbed and flowed with some acidic ooze. Quickly it overtook the driver and in his last gasps, he told Rodriguez to get out of there. He tried to, still calling CC for assistance. But it overtook him as well. Oozing all over his body as he screamed.

Space Station Hope

But it wasn’t just those left on Earth who had problems. The Space Station above also had their issues. One of which was the separation of the haves and have nots. The top two layers of the station were consigned to the rich and powerful. These were designated the Olympus and Gold Levels. For those who could afford the luxuries provided. The Mega-Rich, the politicians, the business tycoons, and the celebrities.

But the bottom, the Bronze level was for the general populace. The workers and their families. Also referred to as Hell. Those inhabitants were not supplied with the luxuries that the upper levels were graced with…like food. They were starving. And soon, they would reach their breaking points. But they are not the only ones.

News is Not Good

Word of the happenings on Earth have reached the Cacace Brothers and thus the station. They are threatening a labor stoppage if the vehicle that was destroyed by the Garbage Priest’s followers is not replaced. However, the space station has run out of funds, so that is not possible. Not to mention that the upper two areas of the Station are using excessive amounts of power and are wasting a large amount of food. This is while the lower levels population are starving. In addition, due to the large amounts of waste being produced by the station, they are dumping their waste into space. No lessons being learned here.

Impending Trouble

All of this amounts to a high probability of civil unrest at the station. One in which they are not in a position of quelling. As the station subordinate relays all of this news, his employer listens with no comment. As he continues to munch on a cookie. Maybe he couldn’t hear him due to the sound of crunching and the crumbs hitting the floor.

The Claw….

Back on the planet, Travis is sure he is finished as still only his hand is visible under the avalanche of locusts. However, his salvation arrives in the form of a flyer and a claw that grabs him and pulls him from the pile. “The Claw!! The Claw is our Master. It chooses who will go and who will stay.” (Sorry, I couldn’t resist). Travis is safe…for now.

Thoughts

By this second issue, Stefano Cardoselli’s tale has established the ground rules of his narrative. One that reflects in no uncertain terms some of the issues we are dealing with in the present. Regardless of the warnings given, the scientific proof offered, the people of Earth apparently made no effort to change their ways. The results were a toxic atmosphere and so much garbage and pollution to make the planet uninhabitable. At least for humanity.

Mistakes are Apparently Portable

The interesting part is, that instead of spending their money and resources on fixing the issues they were facing, they instead chose to build a contingency plan. So, that when they finished making Earth unlivable, they would have a refuge: Space Station Hope. The idea was a good one. Except for one small thing. They decided to take their mistakes and carry those with them.

Haven’t Learned a Thing

Bringing along class structure and designating the have and have nots, just like they did on Earth. You can think of Space Station Hope like the Titanic. Upper decks for the wealthy and the powerful, while the lower deck, (Steerage if you will), is setup for all others. You remember what happened to the Titanic. But even sadder is they didn’t learn one damn thing about waste and pollution. In no time at all, they have already started to scum up space. “You can’t make the same mistake twice. The second time you make it, it’s no longer a mistake. It’s a choice.” ~ Anonymous.

Mad Cave Studios Don’t Spit in the Wind, Issue 2 by Stefano Cardoselli is available now from their subscription site or where great digital comics are sold. Be sure to check it out. A powerful examination of the global environment wrapped in Cardoselli’s gritty Sci-Fi package. It really works.