by Joe Iconic, Reporter
What if the world ended, not with a bang or a whimper, but with incredible post-apocalyptic literature? Wastelands 2 explores what happens after the fall of civilization, delving into the rich tropes and possibilities which demonstrate this genre is far from reaching an untimely end.
Each bite-size tale in Wastelands 2 is written by a different top-level author. John Joseph Adams once again compiles the best of the best of the writing industry, including George R.R. Martin, Junot Diez, Hugh Howey, Senan McGuire, David Brin, Ann Aguirre, Paolo Bacigalupi, Orson Card Scott and many others. Wastelands 2 shows the strength of a masterfully complied anthology, drawing upon the minds of its many gifted authors to explore the many ways the world may end, and rise again from the ashes of over a dozen different catastrophes.
As John Joseph Adams states in the introduction of Wastelands 2, western literature continues its downward prognosis of the future. The bright and shiny land of tomorrow with robot friends and flying cars continues to take a backseat to tales of the fall of society. Apocalyptic literature provides an escape, the ultimate “do-over” and re-invention of an individual and society. Natural disasters and climate change impact our dialogue in media and politics, and finds resonance among the many muses of this collection, pondering the End of All from different angles. Common themes include the many ways climate change could bring about an end to civilization. Many stories also provide hope. Although each story is only a few pages long, the detail and care to each story leaves the reader wanting to learn more about the world and its characters….those that survive, of course. In many, the writers provide the basic elements of the beginnings of the heroes’ journey, while others paint a more nihilistic end of the world. Basically, Wastelands 2 is something for everyone who enjoys a delightful Doomsday.
I highly recommend this anthology. The depth and breadth of the potential achieved in this collection provides for great entertainment. The shortest of the stories allow for a busy schedule, yet encourages the reader to savor each perspective on the days after Judgment Day.
If you who enjoy The Walking Dead for its thoughts on how civilization would rebuild after the End Times, Wastelands 2 is for you. Wastelands 2 is riveting, and perfect for “on-the-go” fans of thought-provoking, masterfully crafted post-apocalyptic tales.
Rating: 
ComicsOnline gives Wastelands 2 5 out of 5 cataclysms!
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