Black Science #10
Story By: Rick Remender
Art By: Matteo Scalera
Art By: Dean White
Cover By: Matteo Scalera
Cover By: Dean White
Cover Price: $3.50
Digital Price: $2.99
Diamond ID: AUG140638
Published: October 29, 2014
Fueled by a long string of failures as a leader, Kadir launches a mad rescue attempt. Can he live up to his promise and finally redeem himself, or will he fall beneath the crawling chaos of a million psychic millipedes?
Black Science has carved out a name for itself in the comics community through its remarkable story-telling, mixing sublimely exciting action sequences with fascinating, complex character work. The world crafted here by writer Rick Remender and artist Matteo Scalera is filled with colorful creatures and loads of explosive battles, but just as prominent is the cast of colorful and explosive characters. The latest issue, #9, offers more good stuff despite being a noticeably weaker entry, with characterization and action that are solid but feel shallow in comparison to past efforts.
Creeping in the background of this series has always been the notion of alternate universes, filled with altered versions of the same people. An eerie, revealing dream sequence at the start of this comic explores this concept to chilling effect. It’s a very well-done bit of storytelling, giving readers reason to care more about one of the more tertiary characters. Unfortunately, this manages to only come off as just a taste whenever Black Science‘s regular, in-depth version of exploring characters is considered. Characterization is cut short for action that is fine but ultimately comes off as little more than filler.
The latter half or so of the comic focuses on something totally different, offering an action sequence carried by narration that feels at home in this series. It all leads into a big reveal that is sure to lead to incredibly compelling and interesting plot threads in the future. The visuals are done especially well in this section, with zippy action and exaggerated facial expression put to great use to create a frantic atmosphere. This part of the comic is ultimately hurt, however, by the fact that a lot of details are left in the dark, leading to some confusion. The narration is satisfying and it plays into past thematic beats, but it can only go so far because readers are only cued into so much.
Black Science always manages to entertain, even though occasionally it hits a relative low point. This is one of those points, but what’s important to understand is that a bad issue of Black Science is still a very good comic.
Story: Rick Remender Art: Matteo Scalera
Story: 7.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read
To check out Matt’s about.me, click here.
Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Black Science #9
Story By: Rick Remender
Art By: Matteo Scalera
Art By: Dean White
Cover Price: $3.50
Digital Price: $2.99
Diamond ID: JUL140533
Published: October 8, 2014
Conflict is the only constant, as the Dimensionauts are embroiled in a brutal war which threatens to engulf the fantastical land they are stranded in. But how can they uncover the horrible truth about the Pillar when every second is a fight to survive?
Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in! Below are ten suggestions of comics, graphic novels, or trade paperbacks you should spend some extra time checking out and think about picking up. And this is a week that this list could easily be double the size.
Pick of the Week: Sabrina #1 (Archie) – Archie comics launched one of the best comics in a while with their twisted horror series Afterlife with Archie. It looks like this new series focused on the teenage witch will attempt to do the same. To say we’re excited is an understatement.
Alien Vs. Predator: Fire and Stone #1 (Dark Horse) – Dark Horse has been doing some very interesting things with their interconnected relaunch of Alien/Predator/Prometheus in comics. So far, each issue has been solid and while the stories are connected you don’t need to read one to enjoy the other.
Avengers and X-Men: AXIS #1 (Marvel) – Marvel’s next big event promises to flip things upside down. We’ll see how this one does.
Battling Boy: Rise of Aurora West Vol. 1 (First Second) – Battling Boy was one of our favorite graphic novels from last year. This is a prequel focused on the West family, and boy is it just as fun.
Birthright #1 (Skybound/Image) – For the Rhodes family, losing their son was the most devastating thing that could’ve ever occurred… but it couldn’t prepare them for what happened when he returned.
Black Science #9 (Image) – Conflict is the only constant, as the Dimensionauts are embroiled in a brutal war which threatens to engulf the fantastical land they are stranded in. But how can they uncover the horrible truth about the Pillar when every second is a fight to survive?
Jack Hammer: Usurper #1 (Action Lab Entertainment) – We love our noir, and the first volume of this series mixed a fun detective story with super powers.
Klarion #1 (DC Comics) – Klarion the Witch Boy makes his New 52 debut and stands for the forces of chaos in this new ongoing series! Yeah, this is one we didn’t see coming.
Punks: The Comic #1 (Image) – Dog, Skull, Fist, and Abe Lincoln live in a house, beat the #### out of each other, and frequently humiliate themselves. There is bleeding and sadness; Morrissey would likely approve. The cult hit comedy returns with new stories and a classic in the back.
Wytches #1 (Image) – Across the globe, century after century, men and women were burned, drowned, hanged, tortured, imprisoned, persecuted, and murdered for witchcraft. None of them were witches. They died protecting a terrible and hidden truth: witches, real witches, are out there. They are ancient, elusive, and deadly creatures that are rarely seen and even more rarely survived. A new horror series from Scott Snyder and Jock? Done!
Black Science #8
Story By: Rick Remender
Art By: Matteo Scalera
Art By: Dean White
Cover Price: $3.50
Digital Price: $2.99
Diamond ID: JUN140539
Published: August 27, 2014
Trapped in a fantastical dimension, the Anarchist League of Scientists discover a race of bizarre creatures that hold the mysteries of the Eververse…and a startling discovery behind the Pillar’s deeper mythological significance.
Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in! Below are ten suggestions of comics, graphic novels, or trade paperbacks you should spend some extra time checking out and think about picking up.
Pick of the Week: Bob’s Burgers #1 (Dynamite) – The amazing television show comes to comics. Hopefully the humor translates well. The television is an underrated gem, and I expect the comic to be as well. I love the television show, so can’t wait to read this.
Black Science #8 (Image) – Fun action with every issue. I love this series. One of the best new releases this year.
Evil Empire #4 (BOOM! Studios) – Most series show the evil government after they come into power, this is how it gets to that point. With the world spinning around right now, this series feels eerily real.
Genius #4, Genius #5 (Top Cow Productions) – A beyond relevant comic that asks what happens if the world’s greatest tactical mind decided to use that to unify gangs and take on the establishment.
Hero Cats #1 (Action Lab Entertainment) – A new all-ages series from Action Lab which excels at those releases!
Letter 44 #9 (Oni Press) – An amazing mix of sci-fi and politics. Writer Charles Soule looks at what might really happen if we detected an alien presence in deep space.
POP #1 (Dark Horse) – What if the world’s pop stars and celebrities were literally products, grown by the world’s wealthiest (and most depraved) minds—and one of them escaped? Sounds awesome!
Saga #22 (Image) – One of the best comics out there has shifted its focus a bit in this second part, and it’s still amazing.
Sundowners #1 (Dark Horse) – The new series by Tim Seeley follows a group of heroes where you really question their sanity. I came out of the first issue wondering what was real, and what wasn’t. It has me more than intrigued enough to come back for more.
Wayward #1 (Image) – Jim Zub breaks out of his fantasy niche to follow a young woman’s trip to Japan where she’ll take on various monsters. The first issue is a fun read and the art is fantastic.
Black Science #7
Story By: Rick Remender
Art By: Matteo Scalera
Art By: Dean White
Cover By: Matteo Scalera
Cover By: Dean White
Cover Price: $3.50
Digital Price: $2.99
Diamond ID: MAY140696
Published: July 30, 2014
THE SECOND ARC OF THE SMASH SCI-FI HIT BEGINS HERE! The mystery of the onion’s truth unfolds the deeper one travels. The mythology of the Eververse unveils new truths and new dangers. The team is hurled to a seemingly alien world that holds the key to their true purpose. For what is magic but science that we don’t yet understand?
Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in. Below are ten suggestions of comics, graphic novels, or trade paperbacks you should spend some extra time checking out.
Top Pick: Trees #1 (Image Comics) – Ten years after they landed. All over the world. And they did nothing, standing on the surface of the Earth like trees, exerting their silent pressure on the world, as if there were no-one here and nothing under foot. Ten years since we learned that there is intelligent life in the universe, but that they did not recognize us as intelligent or alive. Beginning a new science fiction series by Warren Ellis and Jason Howard.
Black Science Vol. 1: Hot to Fall Forever (Image Comics) – Collecting the first six issues of the series, Black Science is a trippy sci-fi filled adventure series that’s one of the most exciting on the market.
Chew/Revival #1 (Image Comics) – The two comic series come together for a fun story that shows it from both series’ perspectives. It shouldn’t work, but it does!
Doctor Spektor #1 (Dynamite) – Another Gold Key release from Dynamite, this one has Mark Waid writing!
The Fuse #4 (Image Comics) – Take a detective series and put it on a space station. So good.
Ms. Marvel #4 (Marvel) – The Marvel series has been a breath of fresh air, introducing us to a new heroine, diverse cast, and some amazing art.
The Midas Flesh #6 (BOOM! Studios/BOOM! Box) – This series is out of this world, but a fun cast, action packed story, and awesome art as well. One of our favorites!
Mind MGMT #22 (Dark Horse) – One of the best comics on the market. Matt Kindt‘s series is moving along and shows what can be done with the long game when it comes to storytelling. So many layers, so freaking good.
Skullkickers #27 (Image Comics) – Comics can be fun and writer Jim Zub‘s off the rails fantasy adventure is a perfect example of that.
Star Wars: Rebel Heist #2 (Dark Horse) – Another Matt Kindt entry. The talented writer has been knocking it out of the park when it comes to this series so far.
“It’s not what I’ve done that flashes before my eyes, It’s what I’m going to miss.
– Grant McKay
Black Science #6 wraps up its incredible first arc titled ‘How To Fall Forever’. Six issues of arguably the best new comic of 2013 filled with amazing art and an equally unbelievable plot. Rick Remender and Matteo Scalera have really created something special with Black Science, mixing dimension-bending physics with top-notch art. You really feel for each of the characters and want them all to survive, even the bad guys; that’s one way to know that you’re holding a really great comic in your hands. Issue number six of Black Science, on the Wednesday when it gets released, is the first comic I read from the huge pile I get from my local comic shop. Yes, I do have access to pretty much any comic for review purposes, weeks and sometimes months before they are released, but I am one those people that love the feel and look of a physical book in his hands. That goes double for books with art that appears to jump out at you. Art that truly magnifies the amazing plot it’s meant to capture. The Walking Dead and Saga come to find to name just a few. We can definitely add Remender’s and Scalera’s Black Science to this list as well.
The current issue’s story line continues immediately where number five left off, with Grant and Kadir falling helplessly into the frozen volcano we saw at the end of the last issue. Grant had just discovered that Kadir was the one responsible for sabotaging the Pillar, the device used by the team to jump from one dimension to another. As a result, their “jumps” are erratic and unpredictable at best. Two members have already perished in previous issues and Grant places the blame solely on Kadir, who funded the project in the first place.
This new dimension is difficult to explain and must be seen to be believed, but I will try my best. Entwined with each other during their struggle and free-fall, Grant and Kadir fall through a glass ceiling and ultimately into a pool of water. The building appears to be some sort of nursery for the ape/gorilla-like residents. They have less than five minutes to return to the Pillar if they want to “jump” with it and the rest of their team. You can’t help but feel immersed in the mesmerizing scenery and Dean White’s painted art is like nothing else. Everyone involved in making this book really did a great job at bringing Grant’s and Kadir’s struggle to life. Without spoiling too much, Grant finds himself in what appears to be an impossible situation to overcome, but we love these characters and have to believe he will triumph. Chandra comes for Kadir, but not before the “sentient gas-life” (I really have no idea what to call the fire-stream thing, but this is what Kadir called it) attaches itself to her. I know this sounds strange, but trust me, it works within the context of the comic and it’s super-awesome. Even the Shaman from the previous arc steps up and helps the team out when needed. It’s a great issue. Needless to say, the next arc cannot get here soon enough.
What Remender and Scalera do extremely well is create these worlds, or dimensions I should say, that are original, imaginative and inventive. They do this every few issues which is as unbelievable as the worlds they create. Unfortunately, we will have to wait until July 30th to experience the next world our favorite dimension-jumping scientists travel to and what awaits them there. Although Black Science #6 answered many lingering questions we had from previous issues, it also created more. It was a perfect close to the arc and great set-up for what’s to come.
Thoughts and Discussion
– How will the team be able to communicate with the Shaman?
– Kadir kills two ape/gorilla-like beings of this dimension…where did the second “sentient gas-life entity” go? Which body did it attach itself to? We know the first one went into Chandra.
– What will happen to Grant? How will he get out of his “situation”?
– Did you notice…one of the ape-gorilla-like beings that Grant and Kadir come across seemed to notice Grant? How did he recognize him? Was it possibly from a different Grant, from a different dimension that happened upon this same dimension?
Thank you for checking out my Review! Please comment below so we can discuss the issue and Black Science further!
Story: Rick Remender Art: Matteo Scalera – Painted Art: Dean White – Lettering: Rus Wooton
Story: 9.5 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is in theaters and Free Comic Book Day is tomorrow! It’s a good weekend to be a comic geek!
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