Re-reading .... Black Science: Vol. 3 - Vanishing Point

Reading this third volume of Black Science turned out to be quite a chore compared to the previous two. Not because it was an awful read (we'll get to the full nitty gritty in a moment), but because real life tends to not allow me to read through anything at the moment.



The Cover of Black
Science #12

In fact, this entire volumes worth of entries were only read over the day and morning before I actually started writing this.

(Hopefully, with it's contents fresh in my mind, what I write here will be a little less ramble-like.)

Coming on the heels of both Volume 1 and Volume 2, this third arc of Black Science, entitled Vanishing point, not only brings to an end the first major storyline within the Black Science universe(s) (as writer Rick Remender points out in the letter page) but also completes the series' first compendium's contents as we reach the third-way point.

(From this point on, there will, undoubtedly, be spoilers!!)



Black Science Vol 3. #12 - 16

Black Science's third volume sees our not so merry band of reunited Dimensionauts just about escaping from the Telepathic Millipede Death Cult to find themselves in a world with far deadlier prospects. This world, which looks like an advanced take on the Roman Empire, is dying from a deadly plague brought in by that reality's version of the Pillar and now the Anarchist League of Scientists must work quickly to repair their increasingly unstable travelling device while avoiding this world's centurions as the attempt to destroy all who have contact with the contagion they face, as well as those who look like those who brought it to their door. However, not all are willing to leave and/or go home as the league face dissension in the ranks.

While my description of this arc sounds more like a synopsis which I ripped from previews catalogue, I found this to be the story I was best able to remember and that is not a indictment on the past two arc, but simply that issues 12 to 16 felt like a real change of pace. What has come before seems to be shaken off here, as the Sliders-esque world an arc vibe gives way to something a lot more epic. I honestly think that it is here where Black Science not only hits its stride, but also where it reaches the grand heights of it's terrific quality.



Out of the frying pan and into the fire!

Starting with a recap of how Grant McKay (confirmed to be OUR Grant McKay) was managed to return to the fold as it's cold open, we begin a storyline whereby Alt-Sara runs off, Pia follows and Grant and Shawn follow her, leading to a culmination whereby many of the characters appear to pick their side as either hero or villain.

Of course, nothing in life is quite that simple (everyone is the hero of their own story), but I really enjoyed this as practically every main character took a stand in some form or another, be it Shawn demand that they save the world, Rebecca own, more selfish plans or the Shaman's defiance; seemingly pushing their own respective journeys to either side of the line.

As with the past arcs, characters beyond McKay and Kadir get some focus, allowing us to understand them better and this time it is Pia and Shawn. Now, I really enjoyed getting some better clarity on both of these because, with Shawn, it gave me a feeling of inspiration that while most all other characters seem to 'corrupt' (for want of a better word) in some way, Shawn's ideology doesn't seem to have changed from the moment he signed on to the Pillar project and a better understanding as to why he's the Watson to McKay's Holmes. He serves as McKay's conscience (maybe even more than his actual conscience).

Meanwhile, the focus on Pia's history was incredibly poignant as we saw her effectively at her lowest, while helping to show us some of the rationale behind her more cynical, stereotypically teenage demeanour. However, this arc not only delved into her past but also gave a hint of her growth as she effectively forgive both her father and her mother (or the Alt-Sara surrogate), seemingly starting her own journey to the light side.

Now, before I continue, I'm going to give my mandatory praise of Matteo Scalara, whose work once again looks fantastic here. The night before I wrote this I saw a tweet by Rick Remender praising his partner in creative crime and, to be honest, it is more than deserved. Just watching Pia's descent or even another memory sequence whereby Grant thinks of his family is just beautiful with it's dreamlike hue and really got to me quite a bit.

The tone of this panel is
Incredible!!!

I just want to point out (because I don't remember when) that at some point in the series Matteo Scalara was reported to have broken his hand. Well, I didn't notice which means even with a broken hand he still gave us amazing work. Let that sink in for a moment.

Of course, his isn't the only praise here as there is a new Colourist in Moreno Dinisio and his work just enhances Scalara's pencils terrifically. While I have enjoyed the art and colours up until this point, Dinisio's colours just look richer and really give the look of Black Science such a greater, bolder, moodier look, which is no better seen than in the darker locations or even with the appearance of the fire.

As I continued my way through this series, something I realised was how, as it progressed, Black Science has become a story focused less on the sci-fi, the wacky worlds and the bizarre creatures (although all are still prominent) and instead feels like a major character study in the effects of how people deal with the cards handed to them in life.



This panel is just one example of
how much bolder the colour art
is this time round.

This train of thought came to my mind as I read Rebecca in these five issues. Now, in my opinion, Rebecca is less an unwitting accomplice to McKay's ego and is more of a femme fatale as many of her prior scenes take a new meaning as her own plans become revealed. For this reason, I actually found her to be fantastically written as looking back, every action she takes I realised is for her own benefit, including her relationship with McKay, which as I read the flashback of the start I came to wonder was it all to keep him working.

Of course, Rebecca is not the only villain whose focus continues to intrigue me as original bad guy Kadir faces a (literal) ghost from his past as he reverts to his more antagonistic type. It's at this point I'm going to mention how I love some of the things Remender has done in this series when it comes to his depiction of adages (I believe this is the word). Kadir's face off with an Alternate Ward haunting him for his earlier inaction while McKay's face off with himself prior both feel so literal to the ideas of 'facing one's past' and 'your own worst enemy' and I love it.

Beyond this fight however, Kadir is once again relegated to the Dr Smith-esque bad guy of the team and it's a notion that I do find interesting. It's almost like a Reed Richards/Dr Doom dynamic whereby Doom can actually be quite heroic without Reed's presence to make him seem like less of a good guy. Instead, here Kadir's more heroic nature only takes route when McKay's more rebellious, possibly do right, personality isn't in the way to eclipse him. Now with his return, Kadir reverts more to type than before, which I think may set him up as the biggest bad by the end.


Enter Grant McKay: the Hero!?

Of course, speaking of Grant McKay the hero, this arc is most definitely the one which rebuild's him into a more traditional pulp/action hero. What I enjoy about this is how McKay almost bit by bit shakes off many aspects of his former self as he pushes to be more pro-active, although it's usually due to some ulterior motive, such as his children's safety, until Shawn's 11th hour pep talk. It's at this point that I notice an almost dichotomy or contrast of two stories being told across the arc. This is because, as Past Grant's life seems to crumble from him being his principled self when meeting Shawn to a regular joe he despises and then his workplace affair, present Grant feels rebuilt to a form of the man he was at the beginning; a loving father, a hero to his kids and someone who simply wanted to make the world a better place.
I'm kind of at the end, with little left to mention. However, I had two questions as I read through these issues which bug me a little, even if they don't change my enjoyment. The first thing is Grant McKay's trip from his last appearance to now seemingly taking weeks. Now this I found weird as I had assumed that the rest of the dimensionauts trip since then had only been a few days, although it did make me wonder if travelling between layers of the onion causes some kind of time dilation thing? Also, Nate's diabetes made a brief return here and, if indeed it's been weeks since their adventure began, surely Nate would be suffering severe insulin withdrawal by now?

Of course, I know nothing about either diabetes or Temporal theory so maybe I'm overthinking it.



Oh, look who's back!

As we reach the final pages we bare witness to many (presumed) deaths and the return of an old frenemy (which I initially thought was very coincidental but now, given the notion of tears by many pillars and 'path of least resistance', makes more sense), I realise that (while I now already know) this feels, much like it did on the first read, like everything is about to change in a major way, much like every character we've met so far.



I had nothing to say about
this beyond I really love
this panel!!!

For me, this arc of issues still feels like it is the strongest of the Black Science series throughout as it's renewed sense of heroism and more black and white leanings by the characters.

Also, given what I appear to have gleaned about some of the characters in this volume (assuming I'm right), I'm looking forward to Volume 4 - Godworld, despite it being the most difficult read first time round.

However, regardless of whether it reads better or reads the same, I can't wait to see stuff I missed originally.

I'm really enjoying doing this now!!

Re-reading .... Black Science: Vol. 2 - Welcome, Nowhere

With Volume 1 of the awesome Black Science completely re-read last week (you can see my thoughts on it here), I did worry that essentially forcing my way through the series at one volume a week my impede my enjoyment of it.

Indeed, this seemed to be the case as I ended up reading through all 5 issues of the second volume thrice in order for me to actually get my thoughts in order about what I was reading.

The Cover of Black
Science #7

Fortunately, that third read through, was when I finally twigged what was going on here. Black Science's second volume is nothing like it's first, but that is in no way a bad thing.

(Again, spoilers aplenty. Don't say I didn't warn you!!!)

Taking place (presumably) one world after Volume 1 wrapped up, Remender and Scalara's second arc seemed to begin in a similar vein to their first as the majority of the Anarchist League of Scientists are captured and, apparently, heading to (be) lunch, they are almost immediately rescued by former Dr Smith-like antagonist Kadir, who plays the hero and commandeers the cart, riding away on a fish (seriously!!). From there, it's a mad dash as the (almost) entire gang attempt to escape their cannibalistic former captors as things continue going from bad to worse for our heroes, culminating with yet further losses when the end arrives.

Issues 7 to 11. The contents of
Volume 2.

Now, as I read this issue, and the arc as a whole, it did occur to me that the story beats feel very much the same as with the first arc. Now more is that obvious than with issue 7 which, although not feeling quite as break neck as issue 1, again was fast paced and full of action within yet another escape attempt. However, I did enjoy this issue as, much like with 1, it felt like the cold open of a tv episode as it kind of set the scene. As I re-read this issue though, it occurred to me just how Remender used it to almost reset the story, as he removed all the League's weapons in order to get them back to this more 'reactive' unit who almost blunder through their adventures with minimal finesse.

(Also, as a side note, I never realised that there was a Telepathic Millipede as a prisoner in the opening scene, as if it didn't register with me first time. A nice bit of foreshadowing that I wish I'd picked up on originally).

Kadir to the Rescue!!

From there, the story almost repeats to a degree with the first volume as the pace slows down to allow exposition. Issue 8 sees opens with the kids falling into more trouble after their separation from the rest of the group, while Kadir and the others return to their Pillar to lick their wounds and lament their (supposed) losses. It's this issue (along with issue 9) that really hook me into the series as, once again we learn more about the characters we are following and slowing down so we can catch up and not get too lost. This time however, with Grant gone and Kadir having got the focus in the last issue, we learn more about Nate as well as discover what happened pre- issue 7.

The incredible (and unusual) landscapes
Matteo Scalara offers us!!

Also, we find out more about the recent additions to the team. The Shaman has to be, without a doubt my favourite character of this series and it's in this issue that his place is cemented as he reveals not only his hidden secret but also his understanding of the 'Black Science' they are all using and his own past that got him to today. It's at this point I must confess I wonder 'Is that Mantis another Grant McKay?' (His past certainly sounds familiar). And then there is Chandra. I omitted focusing on her 'encounter' with the energy ghost in the last issue, but here that moment starts to take greater focus as I recall being intrigued by what it/her plans are as she studies the pillar (although I wonder where she got the notebook).



Seriously, Is this a Grant McKay?

Issue 9 is more of the same, but I love the opening focus on Rebecca. I recalled as I read this that I found myself a little confused by what I was reading, thinking that this was Pia and Nate's memory. However, as we get a little clarity as to what is going on before the jerk back to reality, I had to admit that this was a truly awesome piece of story telling. I really thought that Remender told so much about Rebecca with this simple scene which made all her actions past, present and future completely understandable. I should also mention how gloriously beautiful this and the Shaman's memory scene from the last issue look as Scalara and White really gave these such an ethereal look that despite it's difference didn't look out of place.



Not Another McKay?!

It's the midpoint of this issue, however, where things seemingly change from the status quo set by the last arc and becomes a lot, I feel, epic in the story telling. This is because during this second half of the issue we are introduced to three things which I think start the ball rolling in making this series something bigger than simply 'Sliders without a budget'. From this point on we not only get glimpses of some weird winged creature, which didn't really register with me on my first read so quick is its appearance, but we are also transported to another world and introduced to yet 'another' Grant McKay. However, neither of these are as game changing in my mind as the official introduction to the Death Cult of Telepathic Millipede, who reveal themselves as wanting to Pillar in order to destroy all life. I feel this is what changes things as, not only do we have Chandra's new persona taking an interest but also this terrifying enemy, sowing serious seeds for a major war in issues to come.

As a result, this brings us to the final two issues of Volume 2, which really feel like a change of direction. The Anarchist League of Scientists, now reunited, prepare for a deadly onslaught as they do all they can to hide the Pillar from the Telepathic Milipedes before the next jump. However, when the realisation comes the Kadir and the Shaman may unwittingly lead to failure, the two decide to take the fight to the cult in order to safeguard the rest of the eververse from the new evil.

Matteo Scalara's artwork is
truly phenomenal!!

Now, as I thought about what I was writing here, it occurred to me that, while issue 10 was a set up issue for the big fight of the final issue, it was also a issue focusing on one rather important character; Blokk. Here we are introduced to two Blokks, the Milipede leader and the Egyptian 'Pharaoh' both of whom come across as immensely similar in their desires. Indeed, while their beliefs are very different (one wants to destroy, the other rule) both desire the Pillar technology to make it happen, both referring to it as the 'Eucalyptus'. Indeed, with the mysterious benefactor from the prime world still to be introduced and a later reference to the Shaman's similarly named brother, it again showed me just how early this tease was being set up along with the notion that certain characters have a specific fate regardless of their reality.

Chandra's dark side revealed.

And then we get into the final issue, which is essentially the most all out fight scene of the entire series so far. This final part of the volume sees Kadir and the Shaman, unable to hide their thoughts and locations like the rest of the League, facing down the horde of Telepathic Millipedes in order to protect the Pillar. Meanwhile, all the McKays of the Eververse converge for their kids and the Phantom/Chandra finally makes it's/her presence known, resulting in (almost) everyone getting what they wanted by the end.

The awesome potential of
The Shaman

This issue has got to be my favourite of the first eleven instalments. Not just because of the action (although, this is identical to the first issue because our heroes are waiting out the clock as dangers approaches with purpose), but because of who is running head first into this action. This issue solidified my love of the Shaman in this series as Remender really gave him this noble, stoic action hero vibe all throughout this chapter which I only enjoyed all the more thanks to his back and forth dialogue with Blokk (and the quote 'Not so hard' was a pitch perfect catchphrase moment). Meanwhile, Kadir just felt all the more heroic to me in this issue, seemingly coming full circle from villain to hero, which I thought was most telling as he and the Shaman discussed their plan.

Of course, nothing seems to go to plan for these characters (as the entire series will allude to as we go) and I find it funny that that Grant McKay seems to be the route cause of this as not one, but two of them (and a Sara McKay to boot) reappear; one of them being part of the couple who tried to take the kids and the other being the Egyptian McKay who might actually be OUR McKay. Even on this second read, I found this a little confusing and intrigued as to why. However, that's for later as the issue ended with Millipede Blokk and Phantom/Chandra each getting a mobile pillar while everyone else ended up jumping with the original.



So, where to next?

As this issue, and indeed this volume, came to an end, I felt that Remender, Scalara and White had seriously altered the entire landscape of the series going forward. Now, there are two seemingly dangerous entities in control of a Pillar device while the Anarchist League of Scientists are composed of characters from multiple universes, all of whom's views and reasons towards this tech they travel on are radically varied.

While I do know what is going to happen next, I think back to the first time of reading this and, like I recall then, have an immense degree of excitement as to what it to come. When I started these five issues I believed that this second arc might have been the quieter, less enjoyable arc of the series. However, thinking back, it wasn't worse, it was different and was seriously needed in order to make all that is yet to come read as fantastically as I recall.

And so with that, I'm going to move on. Move on to the exciting epic tale this has become. Move on to a new world with (most likely) new threats. Move on to Volume 3 - Vanishing Point.

Re-reading .... Black Science: Vol. 1 - How to Fall Forever

If you delve back through my blog over the last few years (specifically the pull list posts), you'll find that I'm a big fan of Rick Remender and Matteo Scalara's Black Science series.

Since it began, I think that this series about a group of 'Dimensionauts' hopping between realities 'Sliders-style' has been consistently my favourite comic of every single issue run I've bought in it's time on my pull list.

Black Science #1 Cover.

Now though, it's all coming to an end, with issue 43 (due out in July according to Comixology) being it's final swan song before leaving me with only Lazarus and Fantastic Four to pin my comic loving hopes on (the list used to be bigger, but that's a story for another time).

However, rather than mope in despair about this loss, as well as fear that the end will never hold up to how the series has bigged up in my head, I figured that I would instead celebrate just how good Black Science is and how much I enjoyed it.

Therefore, I've decided to re-read the entire series and then write something here on each arc/volume of the title in it's own separate post, leading all the way to a final post to about the in progress final arc.

So let's begin!!

(Though I'll try and avoid them, some spoilers will slip out. Please be warned)

Volume 1 begins the story of with Grant McKay and his Anarchist League of Scientists having achieved the impossible; they have built a method of travelling between dimensions. However, their maiden voyage does not go to plan as the 'Pillar' is damaged, meaning that McKay, his team, his children and his boss must now travel randomly through the Eververse to different, ever increasingly dangerous world's for varying amounts of time and attempt to stay alive just long enough to fix the damage and get home.

The first six issues which
form Black Science Vol. 1

Now, this 'synopsis' is written a little generically but to get into specifics would, I think, 1. take forever to go through and 2. end up spoiling everything (just in case people reading it have never read it. Besides, I'm probably going to spoil the crap of it in a moment anyway). However, my description above barely does Black Science justice as it's first six issues feel like an absolute full speed bullet train ride of a story.

Starting mid way through the story (roughly an hour), I must admit that this first issue didn't read as good as I remember it prior, with a great deal of introspective monologuing from lead character Grant McKay as he threats over what he has done. Of course, this seems out of character for the guy I have then spent 38 issues getting to know, but then I do realise that events as they are, maybe even HE would think this way. Nonetheless, the first issue is meant to be the hook, the draw and this one does that in spades I think. It's so incredibly mysterious to start as we are treated to two characters running frantically through the forest and even all the way up until the final pages, I don't think we are given the full idea as to what is actually going on.

However, that's not the point of this first issue in my opinion, instead we are treated to a chase comic, as McKay and the short lived Jen hurtle their way around as they constantly remind us that they are on the clock. I think this 'clock watching' helps keep the pace fast and flowing, giving me little time to reflect on the lack of information I'm getting. Of course, the real draw of Black Science here is the art as I absolutely love Matteo Scalara's dark, moody, pulpy look, which reminds me of those old sci-fi serials I used to see on channel 4 like Land of the Giants and Time Tunnel.
 

However, by the end of the first issue, the league (whom we get a brief intro) moves on to the next world and the 'cold open' ends, allowing for the start of the opening act. Issues two and three (and a little bit of four) change things up a little bit but I think the pace remains the same here. These issues see the team land in the middle of World War Indians as German forces are being pummelled by a technologically advanced Native Americans, leading to Ward, Shaun and Kadir to try and capture a Shaman when McKay is critically injured.

A shock departure for Ward.

Now, this is where the mystery begins to unravel as we are treated to two stories; the present story and a flashback of how the Anarchist League ended up in this predicament. Now I loved how these issues were laid out because while the present day story continued the same level of pace as in issue 1, the flashback scenes (which were played out like McKay was dreaming them, which was awesome!) slowed down just momentarily to deliver a sliver of much needed info before ramping up again.

However, what I think I love most is how, with McKay side-lined, the entire rest of the cast is fleshed out so perfectly. It was here that I was convinced that Ward was the real hero of the series, running a sort of joint lead character placement along with McKay. This is because Ward, both in the past and present, felt like he was given so much depth as his personality shined through in the lab and his skills came out in the field. In fact, I was absolutely floored with shock when he was unable to join the rest of the characters on the next jump (such was my investment in him).

Matteo Scalara really knows how to
make a man look villainous!

Meanwhile, while I thought the art looked a little less pulpy, Scalara's work was still terrific, as he really went all out to show us the full scope of high tech war which almost seared my retinas there was so much to it. Between him and Remender, there is no limit to their imagination, which kinda works well for a story which can offer so much variety. Of course, what I really loved at this point in the arc was the depiction of Kadir and Chandra, which actually looked so incredibly villainous but yet stopped just short of the moustache twirling to keep them in line with everything else. It was this look that really set them up as the possible villains.

Anyway, we then move into the second half of issue 4 and, more importantly, issue 5, which slowed down considerably compared to those first three instalments. This part of this first volume is considerably quieter than what has come before but this quiet moments really help sell/hammer home the likeability of the characters, even Kadir. In fact, this part of the story starts to change my thinking on how Kadir is portrayed as his moment of honesty with Chandra regarding McKay helps change him from a something of a hindrance to a character who is a little more three dimensional. While it doesn't exactly make him likable, I thought it made him much more understandable and relatable, especially with his 6th issue confession (though we'll get to that).

Meanwhile, McKay recovers from his wounds to face yet another problem (though maybe not as haste inducing as the others) that could be considered of his own making when a duplicate McKay appears to take the children. I'm not sure how I feel about this aspect of the story, although it makes sense in a story about multiple realities that other McKay's would appear. However, I did have a thought on it that this is Remender stating (in his own way) that Grant McKay is actually his own worst enemy, which would be so cool if the case. Nonetheless, this is a fun little sequence where they engage that helps get us into issue 6.

Black Science #6's cover,
which says everything about
the McKay/Kadir dynamic.

And this issue could possibly be my favourite of the first six on this second read through (not that any are below highest quality) as we get to see McKay and Kadir get into a scrape leading to being separated with only 6 minutes to return. For me, while I felt that this was bubbling since the first issue, I also believe that this is the main conflict of the entire series as it is essentially about many things: Their differing ideologies, lifestyles, beliefs and attitudes. In fact, this is no better said than with Kadir breaking this universe's Pillar attempt, and McKay stating that he was fated to destroy the eponymous device.

(MASSIVE SPOILER HERE!!!! BEWARE!!!!!)

However, what got me is the finale, whereby Grant McKay is incapacitated and has to be left behind, although not before Kadir makes a promise to return Grant's children to their mother. For me, I recall wondering on the first walkthrough if this was Kadir's hero moment whereby he becomes the lead character and less antagonistic. This then got me wondering if that meant that McKay, or rather than alternate version of him, would become the series antagonist, constantly attempting to keep Kadir from fulfilling his promise. That said, after six issues and so many changes to the status Quo occurring within them, the only thing that could be guaranteed for future arcs is that nothing is guaranteed.

So, where do we go from here?

And so, there is Black Science Volume 1: How to Fall Forever. Of course, I neglected to mention a number of things: The Shaman's continued presence (along with his bad ass wrist device), the Rebecca/McKay relationship and Chandra's extra-terrestrial encounter, but these things just didn't register with me and I've already put two hours into this post and so maybe they'll be more relevant in future arcs.

I will note that I forgot that Nate needed Insulin and so I wonder how he survived the rest of the series without it?

Nonetheless, this first arc was just as much fun reading as it was way back when the series started (give or take four months, I cam on board late). I'm already looking forward to later in the week and getting to Volume 2 - Welcome, Nowhere.



 

Fantastic Four #10 (May 2019's Pull List)

So, I recently posted a 'breakdown' (I'm not sure of what other word may be more accurate) of all the comics I had reviewed for Pipedream Comics over the course of May.

This was a slight variation on my round up in April because, during that month, I included all of my pull list comics amongst those.

However, I figured I'd give my pull list comic a post of it's own because 1. It is only one comic and I felt I had written more than enough about the other nine for one post and 2. this comic actually gave a lot more thoughts than I had expected it to.

Fantastic Four #10

So, Fantastic Four #10 is a tie-in issue to Marvel's latest all-encompassing event, War of the Realms. During this issue, as the Richards family try to integrate themselves with their new Yancy Street neighbours, Malekith's army of creatures from across the realms attack in order to destroy something unique which the FF have in their possession (which I'm going to try and avoid spoiling by revealing). However, while this the tie in part of the story, the main focus is on Franklin and his adjustment to the new status quo now that he is older and less powerful.

Now, back in April, when I knew this tie in was coming, I had something of a sense of trepidation about getting round to read it. This is simply because, while tie-in's to events are not entirely bad, they are (in my experience) mostly bad. In fact, the only one I can think of which was good was the Original Sin tie in on Daredevil.

Therefore, I have to admit that I was very surprised when I finished reading and discovered that I really enjoyed this issue, with it being by far the best of Slott's run so far!!

 

It's always good to see Mr Fantastic
Stretching out a punch.

I think what it is that I loved about this issue is that it didn't attempt to fit a square peg into a round hole by forcing this characters to be more relevant to the main event than they actually are (or could be). Instead, this issue focused on the characters themselves and their ongoing lives and stories before simply throwing a nugget from that event in order to give it the barest of connections to appease the higher ups. In fact, Slott, Medina and co. could probably have had all the tie in stuff removed from this issue and the story would probably have been just as good.

What really hooked me to this issue though was that we got to see Franklin as the primary focus (which makes a nice change from the so far Thing-centric run I feel we've been having). I thought that the entire issue really spoke volumes as it played on a number of ideas, specifically Franklin growing up. This is because I felt that Franklin spent almost the entire issue losing his identity, which can be considered a staple part of growing up, and makes perfect sense given that he's lost his home, his friends, his powers are fading and now he is in this new street where the rules don't make sense and no one is like him. If this isn't a powerful list of analogies for growing up and being a teenager, I don't know what is!

Franklin and Johnny. A
dynamic I wish I'd seen
more of.

 

Of course, I do think that this issue missed out on a couple of things, particularly using more of the other FF members. I'm starting to think of Johnny as more of a background character here and that the series is 'all Thing' (which does tell me that I need to pick up Slott's Thing series). However, I would have loved to have seen a quiet moment later in the book between Franklin and Johnny where the latter makes the former realise the error of his ways, 'teenager to (original) teenager.' Also, instead of the ending we were given, I'd have really liked to see the Richards kids hanging out with Alicia, calling back to an earlier, more awkward scene between Franklin and the new Mrs Grimm but allowing them to go full circle.
 

Paco Medina's Ben Grimm is a 'Thing'
of beauty. May there be more to come.

That said, these are just ideas which are rattling around in my head after reading and doesn't take away from the fact that Slott's story along with Medina's art (to which I haven't said how much I really love Medina's art in this issue. It's such a gorgeous look, especially his 'Thing', who looks truly awesome. If Medina stays on this book I would not be unhappy) really made this a fun, engaging and beautiful to look at read.

I've been struggling with Slott's run so far, managing to slowly get on board with each subsequent issue. This issue might be where I finally get to where I need to be and I look forward to the next issue....

....and then the one after that, which gives me a Thing/Hulk smackdown!!!

Comic Reading: May 2019

So, I've been away for a couple of weeks, mainly due to being unable to make the time to write about anything.

Work, child-rearing, real life in general. It's all caused a little bit of burn out, especially when you add nine reviews for Pipedream comics to the mix.

Now, not all of those reviews are up but I thought, given how little my pull list is these days, I would just give a small paragraph about each of these reviews with the links (like last month) just because....

(some spoilers this month. Read at own risk.)

The first review of this month (although, I did write and read it in April) was the The Signal #1 & #2. Now, this title was another mixed bag for me as, while I enjoyed the story and found both intriguing and a little compelling, I did have a few quibbles which put me off. The first of these was the change in art style between those first two issues, which is expected given that they were each created by different artists with unique styles. However, while I liked both, I did find the change a little jarring. The other thing was how Annie was portrayed as it felt like her personality was a little all over the place, going from crazed to calm and back again. That said, I loved the conspiracy thriller tone of the book and would be intrigued about how the rest of the series (or at least the next issue).

Next up (which was also read and written in April) was the first issue of She Said Destroy which, I have to confess, I struggled to really get on board with. I really loved the idea behind the story and I thought the art by Llana Kangas was absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately, I just struggled to enjoy the story itself as I wasn't able to find enough to connect to either the (supposed) heroes of the story or the villains. However, the idea I had that the two sides were analogies of  science and religion were (if accurate) very intriguing to me, as was the thought I had that the final use of the word 'destroy' was not from Morrigan but as a result of some manipulation which occurred in the pages prior.

Third in the month was the obligatory Garveyverse review with Untitled Generic Space Comedy #1. Of course, while I say obligatory it wasn't really that as I thought that this was a really fun read with a very 80's British comedy mentality like Only Fools or Father Ted but, of course, most like the great Red Dwarf. Having followed Matt's career since the beginning, as I read this I could only think to myself how much his writing has improved since the start. Also, John McFarlane's art was really nice, kind sir f making me think of old fashioned British comic strips but with a modern twist. Once again, Matt made a comic that I'd be interested to read further.

Next was Grimwood Crossing Volumes 1 and 2 and this, for me, was one of those regretful reads because I wished I'd read it sooner. I really enjoyed this series. It wasn't perfect, it had some problems but they were vastly outweighed by how exciting and fast moving I found it to read. Coupling this with some hauntingly gorgeous black and white art and, I've got to admit that if there's a volume three I will be more than interested in checking it out.

Review number five was for a comic called Future #1 by Tom Woodman and Rupert Smissen and I'm still undecided about where I fall on this. This issue looked great and I loved its colour scheme and the premise was intriguing but this first issue just didn't get me as invested as I would have like. That said, as I put in my review proper, the cliffhanger at the end opened up possibilities which really changed my tune and, as such, have me more than happy to come back for more to see what happens (or at least for the next issue).

After that came Dexter's Half Dozen which I did think was a really fun title. However, with this comic, I just struggled to find anything I, personally, found captivating about it which could convince me to come back for more. As my review stated, it was a fun read and felt very much like the Dirty Dozen meets Hellboy in some respects, but it just wasn't my bag (although I am glad I got the hand to read it).

Next up I read Prey for Us #1 (the joy of being one of Messr Garvey's proof readers). This was another enjoyable read from my pal Matt, although I'm not sure if it stood up to some of his greats like Ether or White Noir. That said, maybe I'm just biased that way as those were more my thing. Regardless, I liked how it really push the isolated hunted vibe well will the art (by a new collaborator, J Francis Totti) suited the vibe well. Even though it's not in my genre wheelhouse, these guys have done enough that I'd like to check the next issue.

Then I read Griff Gristle: The Endless Voyage, which was the third issue of one of my more favourite series that often graces my desk. This issue did suffer a little bit from a lack of a recap page (a problem I have more and more with comics) as well as quite a bit of exposition compared to the past issues. That said, this issue continued to be more of the same greatness as the prior issues, with some gorgeous art continuing it's Hellboy-like look and story and characters that are just charming, fun and quite relatable. While I thought this issue was a set down slightly, it wasn't enough to make me not want to read more.

Finally, I read Digitopia #1 by Farhan Qureshi and Sebastian Piriz (among others). Now, this I was middle of the road about as I found Digitopia quite complex and interesting on the political front as we saw multiple characters deals with the end of a war and a new regime being in charge. Now, what may come from these ideas does intrigue me greatly but, for this first issue, the pacing felt slow and the story didn't really grab me. That said, some of these ideas certainly hooked me enough in that I may to check it out for another issue.

And that's it! Looking back, I've just realised how many of these issues I actually enjoyed. Hopefully, by doing this I can remind myself at a later date or, more importantly, I can convince someone else (who might have stumbled across this post) to check them out.

Either of these could be wishful thinking but I can dream!