NOW BOARDING: Southern Cross, tanker flight 73 to TITAN! Alex Braith is on board retracing her sister’s steps to the refinery moon, hoping to collect her remains and find some answers. The questions keep coming though—how did her sister die? Where did her cabin mate disappear to? Who is that creep across the hall? And why does she always feel like she’s being watched? Inspired by classic mysteries and weird fiction, Southern Cross is a crucible of creeping anxiety and fear as Braith struggles with the ghosts of her past on board a ship that holds secrets best kept buried.

The first issue of Southern Cross is an interesting one, and I’m honestly torn a bit about it. The series is completely fascinating, following a woman who’s traveling to retrieve the body of her sister, and figure out how she died. All of that is set against a sci-fi world, where travel back and forth in space feels like a throwback to ocean travel of the early 1900s. The setting, story, style, and more is just a fascinating combination.

What really stands out is the vibe of the first issue, and how that’s especially present in the art. Writer Becky Cloonan is joined by Andy Belanger and Lee Loughridge on art. All of it together feels like a futuristic throwback where you can almost see the rust on the ship, feel the claustrophobic hallways, and hear the creaking of the ship. The series could be set on board the Titanic, and the vibe would be similar. For as futuristic the series is, it’s also very retro in its nature, and that’s what’s very cool about it.

The story is a solid one, and I want to see where Cloonan goes with it. The biggest issue I have is with some of the art, which is a bit uneven. The problem I see peppered throughout is with perspective, especially with the ship, which at times doesn’t quite look right. Which is interesting, because some of the page layouts are very cool and inventive.

The first issue of Southern Cross is really good, but there’s absolutely some flaws to it. But, there’s more than enough to make me want to come back and see where the mystery goes from here.

Story: Becky Cloonan Art: Andy Belanger, Lee Loughridge
Story: 8 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review