This Animated Sci-Fi Comedy Series Streaming On HBO Max Deserves A Second Season – SlashFilm

Warner Bros. Discovery has dedicated nothing lower than cultural vandalism by eradicating sure animated titles off HBO Max. But, regardless of how a lot WBD CEO David Zaslav tries to make an enemy of animators, WB has has continued to provide or distribute a number of the finest animated initiatives in latest reminiscence, together with surreal comedy sequence like “Shut Sufficient,” exhibits that break floor in terms of Black illustration (particularly, “Younger Love”), and even weird experimental sci-fi dramas just like the sequence “Scavengers Reign.”

Working example: HBO Max is liable for one of the vital below-seen animated TV comedies from the previous few years — one which very a lot deserves a second season. I am referring to “Fired on Mars,” the sci-fi comedy sequence created by Nate Sherman and Nick Vokey. The place most animated TV comedies these days owe all the things to Matt Groening and “The Simpsons,” this present feels much more like a Nineties Mike Choose cartoon. “Fired on Mars” could also be animated and happen on Mars, nevertheless it strives for grounded realism.

Its story follows Jeff Cooper (Luke Wilson), a relatable man who scores the chance to work as a graphic designer on Mars for a startup tech firm that colonized the planet. Sadly, as quickly as he arrives on Mars, his job is deemed redundant and he is left with no solution to return to Earth, a lot much less a suggestion for a special job. As such, “Fired on Mars” may be very a lot a tragicomedy that aligns with the anti-company development of the previous few years embodied by exhibits like “Severance” and “Company.”

On the time of writing, it has been three years since “Fired on Mars” season 1 premiered in 2023, which implies a second season is very unlikely. Nonetheless, the present completely deserves to be continued.

A part of what makes “Fired on Mars” particular is that it is structured like an outdated-college sitcom. Each episode is standalone and focuses on a special drawback that must be solved, but they mix into each other to inform an overarching story. And whereas it’s a comedy, there are not any “Rick and Morty”-style zingers and one-liners. As a substitute, the humor comes from the characters and the zany conditions that Luke Wilson’s Jeff finds himself in. This being a poignant sequence about company life and late-stage capitalism, “Fired on Mars” repeatedly exhibits the realities of firms that do not give an iota of thought to their staff and the messes they cover. To not spoil the season, however Jeff slowly discovers the various secrets and techniques of Mars and the skeletons buried within the closet of its techno overlords.

That worldbuilding and narrative make it clear that “Fired on Mars,” regardless of its Nineties influences, is firmly a part of the streaming period. Equally, as a lot as its episodes stand on their very own, collectively they construct a bigger story in regards to the rising discontent among the many staff of Mars and the opportunity of a planet-large revolt. Sadly, the dearth of a second season additionally means a scarcity of decision to the season 1 finale’s many reveals and dramatic climax.

Even so, “Fired on Mars” is a delightfully bizarre, humorous, and transferring solution to spend your time whilst you look forward to the following season of “Severance,” in addition to an incredible throwback to a time when grownup cartoon characters appeared like actual individuals and colour palettes and backgrounds have been extra lifelike. And whenever you’re completed watching season 1, why not give the refreshingly ahead-considering “King of the Hill” revival a watch? It’s going to assist scratch the identical itch.