There are a lot of comics out there but some stand out head and shoulders above the pack. With “Don’t Miss This,” we want to spotlight those series we think need to be on your pull list. This week, we look at the reality jumping, dark sci-fi adventure “Black Science.”
Who’s This By?
“Black Science” is from comic writer superstar Rick Remender (“Seven to Eternity”). He is the mastermind behind this wild ride and has worked solely with artist Matteo Scalera (“Batman,” “Space Bandits”) to fully realize this story as the two have envisioned from the start.
Rick Remender is one of the few writers that can jump between big titles like “Wolverine” and “Uncanny X-Force” and also craft more out-of-the-box passion projects like “Tokyo Ghost” and “Deadly Class.” Over the last few years Remender has become known for these original works, as they tend to be incredibly interesting and well-paced, with the intent of not allowing them to overstay their welcome or end before he has written the story exactly as he wants it told. He tends to make them either miniseries consisting of just a handful of issues, or a limited on-going. With 42 issues, “Black Science” is actually one of his longer series.
Penciler Matteo Scalera is mostly known for his work on various DC and Marvel Comics books, making a name for himself on big two titles like “Daredevil” and “Gotham City Garage.” He has one of the most distinct styles in the world of comics at the moment. His hard lines and sharp angles are immediately recognizable and while some of his work shares a stylistic kinship to other Remender partner Sean Murphy, Scalera’s work has a more definitive stance. It has a more confident and completed look to over Murphy’s looser and sketch-like pencils.
The series has had more than one colorist bring the artwork to its final form. The series started off with Dean White (“Silver Surfer,” “Superman”), an industry legend who has worked as colorist and cover artist on an incredible amount of books across the various publishers. After the first 10 issues, Michael Spicer (“2000 AD,” “Mad Max: Fury Road”) colored issue 11, with relative newcomer, Moreno Dinisio (“Spawn,” “Wolverine vs Blade”) picking up the work load for the remainder of the series.
The entire series is lettered by Rus Wooton (“House of M”). A veteran in the industry, having worked on countless books for Marvel Comics with a smattering of smaller titles interspersed throughout his career.
What’s This All About?
Grant McKay, who was once a member of The Anarchistic Order of Scientists, has has found a way to move through realities. He has deciphered Black Science and is learning how to explore alternate dimensions. Grant theorizes that each alternate reality of what he calls the “Ever-verse” is like an onion. Pull back one layer and you discover the next, a new dimension, one based on an infinite variety of choices made by everyone, everywhere. What exists at the center is quite possibly the primal universe that was the catalyst for all existence, on all planes. What lies beyond, in the darkness is not the answer to all things, but chaos in its truest form. Now Grant and his team, comprised mostly of his own family, are lost – bouncing to infinite alien worlds and the only way out, is through.
So, Why Should I Read This?
“Black Science” is filled with ideas and story threads familiar to most who have indulged in science fiction or have even studied true, theoretical science. Putting together a cyclical story that throws our heroes (and some villains) through these the seemingly endless layers of existence, Remender gives us brain melting levels of detail and scientific concepts to pore over and think on. However, he never loses sight of what this book is at its core. All the ideas and emotions that make us human. Like the universe at the core of the Ever-verse which spawned all things and helped make it what it is, the feelings, decisions and what is important to Grant, and all people are at the center of this story.
Continued belowSo while there is pulse-pounding action, ridiculous looking creatures, and “Flash Gordon” pulp mixed with modern sci-fi, the reader will never forget what this is all about: triumph and failure, love and hate, courage and fear. It is a dense book that does take some time to chew through, but it is worth it. Even with the wizz-bang adventure laid at your feet, there are still moments of heavy dialogue and narrative that are necessary to really tie the entire series together. Even when there are chapters that feel very similar to something that was previously explored, it is all moving towards the end with a specific purpose. Remender continues to give readers an incredibly exciting journey while still pumping the brakes for the heart of the matter.
Fans of sci-fi are well acquainted with stories of alternate realities, but typically we only get to see one or two other dimensions in a given property, or when a show or movie does explore a greater multiverse we end up with something like Sliders. (Younger readers, you can Google that reference.) This comic has given us something so much more than that and even steps away from tropes shown in both DC and Marvel multiverses.
Matteo Scalera’s illustrations are something to behold. Every single issue explores a plethora of new designs on a level rarely seen in any series, let alone one completely covered by one artist. Having to co-create all new environments, characters, all sorts of creature feature species and technology, this has to be one of the most interesting and difficult books for any creator to work on. His outstanding line structure and design could only be paired with equally ambitious and talented colorists.
Having kicked off the series with its first 10 issues, Dean White brought his talents as a painter to this book, giving us endless color on each page. Lavishly layered panels bring the book’s textures to eye-popping life. Whether you’ve read the series once or ten times, there is always something new to discover in how White colored those early issues.
In the interim, Mike Spicer took on the coloring duty for issue #11 and while he keeps within the in-universe style and palette of White, his work is much flatter. Still gorgeous and bright, but not as dynamic, not having the same punch as the preceding issues. The change in color artist is evident immediately. Picking up at issue #12 and carrying the colorist duty until the end is Moreno Dinisio. With a much smaller resume than the other creators on this book, it would seem that Remender and Scalera had picked a relative rookie to complete the rest of their brainchild with them. But they made the absolute best decision when choosing Dinisio. His work is so similar to White’s initial run that most people don’t realize this book has more than one color artist within its ranks. His work gives the same feeling of depth and texture as White, while still having its own distinct hand behind it. He knew how to pick up the series and make it his own. And as the colorist with the most “Black Science” issues under his belt, it quickly became just as much his series as those who came before.
“Black Science” is not a perfect series and some things do get too repetitive at times, but overall this is a great series that should not be overlooked. It’s a timeless and fascinating plot with outstanding artwork from start to finish. With it coming to a close for good next month, it is the perfect time to jump on for the first time or pick it up again.
How Can You Read It?
“Black Science” first started in November 2013, issue #42 releases today and next month it is coming to a close with issue #43. The first 38 issues have been collected across eight trade paperback volumes, with the final 5 issues getting collecting in the ninth volume. The first 6 arcs have been collected in two hardcover “Premiere” editions, but there has yet to be an announcement for the next hardcover. All eight trade paperbacks are available anywhere comic books are sold with the ninth being released October 30, 2019.
