What's The Furthest Place From Here - Comic Review

Probably one of the biggest comics, in terms of popularity, I missed during the past 4 years, is called “What’s the furtherst place from here”. Written by Matthew Rosenberg and art by Tyler Boss, the book was published by Image Comics with the first issue coming out November 10, 2021 (just a few months away from the start of the my comic dark ages).

Matthew Rosenberg and Tyler Boss’ What’s the Furthest Place From Here? is a brilliant fusion of a coming-of-age tale and a dystopian survival story. It’s a comic that dares to ask what happens when the rules of society are completely rewritten and leaves readers pondering what truly matters when everything is stripped away.

Story: A Chaotic, Emotional Roadmap

From Issue #1, we’re thrown into a fractured world where teenagers rule broken-down neighborhoods, forming gangs and tribes bound by music, identity, and an unspoken dread of adulthood. The concept of "family" is at the heart of the story, beautifully explored through the plight of the gang from the record store as they struggle to hold onto each other while navigating the perils of their decaying world.

Rosenberg’s writing is sharp, raw, and often heart-wrenching. The characters, especially Sid, Alabama, and the rest of the crew, are more than archetypes—they're living, breathing testaments to the complexities of friendship and survival. The story is both deeply personal and grand in scope, balancing small, intimate moments with the existential weight of the world around them.

Each issue peels back layers of this cryptic reality, revealing haunting truths about what happened to the adults and why the world now revolves around music and youth. The pacing can be erratic at times—moments of breathless action give way to slower, introspective scenes—but this only serves to mimic the uncertainty of the characters’ lives. It’s unpredictable in the best way, with twists that hit like a gut punch.

One aspect of the story that feels lacking is a sense of closure. Even after all this time, the narrative provides little to no answers about why the world became what it is. The family we follow remains on the road, with no clear resolution or end to their struggles. From my perspective—and having the advantage of reading the volumes back-to-back rather than waiting years between releases—I still found myself feeling slightly exhausted by how drawn-out the story has become. While the journey is compelling, its prolonged nature without tangible progress or resolution can feel draining.

Art: A Visual Mixtape

Tyler Boss’ artwork is nothing short of exceptional. His clean lines, stark color palettes, and clever use of space create an aesthetic that feels like a love letter to indie comics. Each panel is meticulously composed, with a cinematic quality that immerses you in the world. Boss captures the desolation of the setting and the emotional weight of the characters with equal skill.

The use of recurring motifs, like shattered buildings or the omnipresent records, enhances the sense of a world that has fallen apart yet clings to its cultural remnants. Every page is packed with visual storytelling—tiny background details often reveal more about the world than the dialogue does.

One of the standout features is Boss’ use of color. From the muted tones of desolation to the vivid splashes of red and blue during moments of conflict, the color palette feels like an extension of the characters’ emotional states. His panel layouts are inventive, often breaking traditional grids to emphasize chaos or intimacy.

Themes: Nostalgia and Fear of Growing Up

The comic’s central metaphor—the idea that growing up is both a loss and a transformation—resonates deeply. Music, as both a literal and symbolic element, underscores the characters’ struggles and connections. It’s no coincidence that vinyl records are treasured artifacts in this world. They represent permanence in a fleeting, unstable existence.

The fear of the unknown looms large, as does the longing for a past that may never have truly existed. This tension between nostalgia and the need to move forward is universal, making the story both specific to its setting and broadly relatable.

Final Thoughts

What’s the Furthest Place From Here? is an ambitious and deeply emotional series, blending innovative storytelling with striking visuals. Its exploration of themes like identity, nostalgia, and the fear of growing up resonates powerfully, while its mysterious and fragmented world draws readers into its depths. However, the lack of closure in the narrative becomes increasingly apparent as the series progresses. Years into the story, many fundamental questions about the world remain unanswered, and the family we follow seems trapped in an endless cycle of peril with no clear resolution.

For readers who have followed the series since its inception, this lingering ambiguity may feel frustrating, and even for those reading the volumes consecutively, the prolonged journey can feel exhausting at times. Despite this, the series remains a testament to the creative vision of Matthew Rosenberg and Tyler Boss, offering moments of brilliance that make it worth the ride—even if the destination feels perpetually out of reach.