Black Science Vol. 1: How To Fall Forever
Rick Remender, writer & Matteo Scalera, artist (creators); Dean White, painted art
Image Comics
I was a big fan of Remender's previous sci-fi series Fear Agent, and this one has a similar pulp sensibility. On the most basic level it's an adventure story with aliens. But in this series protagonist Grant McKay, leader of the Anarchistic League of Scientists, has put himself in jeopardy through his experimentation with the titular Black Science. His invention the Pillar allows travel through all the various realities that make up the Eververse, the infinite chain of possible dimensions that branch out from each single quantum event. The breathless first issue introduces the basic concept, while following McKay as he is on the run from aliens trying to get back to his team before the Pillar jumps to another dimension.
I've recently been re-watching the television series Sliders, which had a strikingly similar basic concept: a group of explorers sets out to visit alternate dimensions, then quickly find themselves set adrift due to an unforeseen technological breakdown. In both series the team is unable to return to their home dimension because their homing device has failed, and their time in each dimension they visit is determined by a random timer setting. Remender has imagined a much more alien set of alternate realities, though, sufficient to give the story a classic science fiction feel rather than that of alternate history.
In the course of the six issues in this collection the group visits several worlds, with flashbacks filling in back story about the characters and how they came to be here. The perils they face are real--or at least they seem to be--as first Grant's wife Jennifer is killed, then Ward gets left behind, then Grant himself suffers an apparently mortal injury and gets left behind in the final cliffhanger. The "seems" comes into play with the appearance of an alternate Grant and Jennifer, which opens up the question of which dimension is "real." The new Grant says that the aliens in this dimension "aren't real."
It's an exciting ride, one which possibly could go on forever. A lot will depend on how Remender handles the incursion of alternate realities. Will dead or missing characters return? If so, will death cease to matter? And can Grant really leave the story this soon, despite being the central character?
Replies
How's the art, Mark? I've thought about picking up Black Science because of my appreciation for Fear Agent but my cursory glance at the inside art has made me a little wary.
Oh, man, the art is INCREDIBLE. It's somehow painterly and yet comic booky at the same time. This would be a part of a modern day Heavy Metal. (Wait, is there still Heavy Metal? Just realized I don't know whether that's still being published or not...)
Matteo Scalera has done work for Marvel, so I'm surprised you haven't come across him before. I like it, especially the creative alien character designs. He does lean towards the cartoony when it comes to faces--he really likes large, exaggerated noses--but I was OK with it. I'm happy to hear you liked Fear Agent. I thought I was the only one around here who followed it.
I followed it some, and liked it enough that I bought both mammoth hardback volumes within the past year. I need to sit down and read right through them.
Mark Sullivan (Vertiginous Mod) said:
I'm happy to hear you liked Fear Agent. I thought I was the only one around here who followed it.
Mark Sullivan (Vertiginous Mod) said:
I missed it when it was first published. However, Dark Horse has been publishing second printings of the trades this year. The first one had a great introductory price of only $9.99 which was a reasonable sample price, IMO. I picked it up and absolutely loved it. I've been buying each of the second printings as they're released. I have the volumes one-four so far and I'm looking forward to final two.
I seem to be the outlier on this book. A lot of people I know love it, but something about it just didn't click with me.