Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Black Science #1
Image Comics
Remender, Scalera & White
Rick Remender's latest launch in the creator owned realm turns out to be a familiar look at man, or in this case, a character named Grant McKay. Remender turns out an action packed first issue that is extremely character driven and almost entirely written with the first person narrative. Yet this comic book is the kind of comic that gives you enough to hook you in but doesn't give everything away in the first issue. You combine these elements with some stellar artwork and you have a winning first issue. I highly recommend checking this out.
The opening of the comic book immediately sets the tone for the series as the internal monologue provides the reader with a glimpse into Grant's issues. The comic is obviously about his failures and some of them are entirely of his own making. He's lost loved ones and continues to put the remaining loved ones in danger by taking what seems like are unnecessary gambles. The character is extraordinarily flawed and likeable at the same time and for related reasons.
The plot within the book isn't really about Grant's failures but what he's trying to do to stop them or at least slow them down. He's trapped in a desperate situation that involves frogmen, fish people, sorcery and a mysterious power source that will save his children or doom them to a horrible death within minutes. It's a pulse-pounding comic that has so much weirdness in it that it seems to go beyond science fiction.
There are two pieces that work well for this first issue; the problems are teased and the main character's drive is vague. As a reader we know that the lead character is trying to solve some sort of humankind problem but he is also trying to solve the immediate danger to his family. The details are left to interpretation, as they could easily be made worse by his decisions or a situation that is damning no matter what he does or doesn't do. Is this bold invention on his part or desperate survival? Is he on a path of self-destruction or is he grasping at anything as everything he knows and loves is sucked into a black hole?
The artwork is straight out of a 1950s serial. It's perfect for the pulpy, science-fiction story that Remender is putting forth. The comic has a painted look that you might find accompanying some old science fiction novel, except the painted style is detailed and constant throughout. When you consider the story demands a ton of drama and thrills as the comic moves from one cliffhanger to the next the artwork tells a beautiful story that is equal parts gruesome and gut wrenching. This artwork is great but it is made to be special when matched with this type of story.
Black Science looks to be a wild ride that involves tearing down a character to his very core. This will be an interesting examination into what makes a character tick when he continually trades all that is important to him for gambles that seldom seem to payoff. Black Science is exactly the kind of comic I've been looking for and I urge you to check it out regardless if you enjoy science fiction or not. Awesome comic book.
4.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles
