Rating: 4.5/5 – Infinite worlds, infinite story potential.
I’m really enjoying the new series from Image titled Black Science. It reminds me of both E.C.’s Weird Science/Weird Fantasy titles, as well as a more mature and scarier version of the Fantastic Four. Writer Rick Remender and artists Matteo Scalera and Dean White take us on a trip to different dimensions where anything can happen, and where the characters can explore an infinite array of worlds. It’s a great premise that allows these creators to tell all different types of stories, with interesting characters at the forefront.
Those interesting characters start with main the main character of this series Grant McKay. You could compare Grant to a Reed Richards, but he’s a bit more unlikeable in his character, which makes him that much more interesting to read about. He’s a scientist and a father and he makes it clear that science is his true love. In that quest for exploration he’s created the Pillar, a device that makes it possible to explore other dimensions. This exploration has brought him and his team, including his family to a swamp covered world in the first issue, to a war torn world where advanced aliens are slaughtering what can best be described as a German army from World War II in issue two. In this particular issue, the team has to find a way to save Grant from a mortal wound and the only way to do that is to find a shaman priest that’s part of the alien invasion. This issue also fleshes out some of the characters in the group, building up the supporting cast.
The story has me hooked, but the art is truly something special. This combination of artist and painter makes this book stand out. Scalera has a scratchy and dramatic line to his work and his alien landscapes and character designs are just that…alien. The colors on this issue, although not as strong as in the first, are still so well done that each scene and setting have a unique look. Facial expressions are exaggerated, but in a way that further enhances the story. For example, the grin on Grant’s boss’s face is so exaggerated it ends up looking creepy, which adds to the overall feel of that individual character. This books has so much potential and so much that I’m looking forward to. I can’t wait to see what planet or dimension this creative team takes us to next!
Reviewed by: Shawn Hoklas – shawn@comicspectrum.com
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