From the team that brought you Afro Samurai comes Cold Space, the latest book in BOOM! Studios ever growing line-up.
COLDSPACE #1
Written by Samuel L. Jackson, Eric Calderon
Drawn by Jeremy Rock
SC, 24 pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99
COVER A: Dave Johnson
COVER B: Jeffrey Spokes
Diamond Code: FEB100744
From legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson and Emmy nominated writer/producer Eric Calderon, the team that brought you the Emmy-award-winning, best-selling AFRO SAMURAI comes their next original series — COLD SPACE. When an on-the-run outlaw crash-lands on a hostile planet on the brink of civil war, he finds himself in the crossfire between two warring factions. But in chaos lies opportunity — because where there’s war, there’s money to be made. A hard-boiled sci-fi action-adventure with covers by Eisner Award-winning artist Dave Johnson and IRREDEEMABLE cover artist Jeffrey Spokes!
Click behind the jump for my thoughts.
In all honesty, when it comes to Samuel L Jackson, how can you go wrong? Seriously – the man doesn’t take himself too seriously, and because of this he pumps out some of the most entertaining work. It’s seriously about time the man decided to get into the comic book game, and it’s only appropriate that his book stars … well, himself (and not in the Ultimate sense).
In Cold Space, we have something that right off the bat gives me a Firefly-esque feel, and that’s a good thing. We have the quiet and bad ass character, portrayed as Sammy J, traveling through space as a wanted man, only to be captured and – within seconds – turn the tables around. Of course, this leads him to crash land on a desert planet where it appears they’re operating on Wild Wild West rules, and already I’m intrigued. I absolutely love the “space cowboy” element, and always have. Cold Space incorporates it well and gives an interesting Firefly-meets-Mad-Max feel, which I am all about.
I was a huge fan of Afro Samurai, so having Samuel L Jackson and Eric Calderon team up for another “Sammy J in mind” project is pretty epic. This is a somewhat of a slow start as we don’t learn anything huge towards the plot yet, but I am intrigued enough to keep reading regardless. If Afro Samurai proved anything, it’s that the two are comfortable with pacing to tell a story, and the first issue to this series gives me nothing but confidence for the rest of it.
The artwork by Jeremy Rock was also great. He’s a very smooth artist and he takes the time to fully form his world and it’s inhabitants. The space battles look absolutely great, and our “hero” really is Samuel L Jackson, as good as if not better than Bryan Hitch’s.
Needless to say, I am excited for the future of Cold Space. While I am unclear as to the series overall intentions, the first issue has pulled me in enough to make sure I come back for more. I like the sci-fi western aspect, and I of course like the character of Samuel L Jackson in the comic, so to see how the story unfolds and to learn more about Mulberry should prove to be an entertaining read. If Afro Samurai proved nothing else, it’s that in Sammy J we trust.
Final Verdict: 8.3 – Buy
