Proxima Centauri by Farel Dalrymple is the sort of sci-fi that you don't really see anymore. It's seeped in the stoned dream logic of 70's Sci-Fi Fantasy like Heavy Metal, and probably isn't for everyone. Sherwood is a bratty teenage wizard caught in a pocket dimension. He wants to escape and return to his brother but is easily distracted by his angsty outbursts.

If a sci-fi story about a teenage space wizard feels a little meta, the story doesn't. Instead of a valiant hero swept up into an epic, he is distracted by his teenage whims. From crushes on girls to the feeling like his mentors are too busy for him, Sherwood's brattish tendencies keep getting in his way. There's some flashback to flesh out the whole story and ensure that you get some sympathy for Sherwood.

The art here is detailed but raw. It hew closer to underground comics of the 70’s and 80’s than modern titles. The colors are muted, which adds to the retro-futuristic feel of the book. The lettering is playful and at least looks like it was done by hand. This mix of low-gloss art might make you feel like this is amateurish, but every panel is stuffed with detail.

Behind the stoned sci-fi mysticism in the story is a heartfelt coming of age story. Instead of adding the teenage feelings as flavor text to the story, Dalrymple does a great job weaving it right into the plot. Sherwood isn't the most likable character, but instead of being Holden Caufield in space he's called out on his bullshit.

Proxima Centauri was a fun read that managed to surprise me. There is an honesty and vulnerability to Sherwood the resonates well beyond the plot. For some people it might lean a bit heavily into allegory, but most of these types of sci-fi stories don’t even give their characters self-awareness.

This mixture of fantasy and sci-fi isn’t going to be for everyone, but it is something that works particularly well as a comic. It lets the art move into a more surreal direction, but that surrealism is balanced with characters that feel real. Even their weirdest moments make sense in the context of Sherwood’s perspective, grounding the reader in his story. If you’re looking for a mix of coming of age and sci-fi adventure with gorgeous artwork, check out Proxima Centauri.

Image Credit: Image Comics