Written by Paul Cornell
Illustrated by Ryan KellyArcadia Alvarado, the leading Democratic candidate for President of the United States, says she was “abducted by aliens.”
As the Mexican-American Governor of New Mexico, she’s dealing with immigration, budget cuts and an alcoholic ex. She’s about to toss her hat into the ring as a candidate for President in the most volatile political climate ever.
But then…a lonely road and a nightmarish encounter have left her with terrible, half-glimpsed memories. And now she has to become President. To expose the truth — and maybe, to save the world.
Arcadia’s quest is at the heart of this new monthly series from writer Paul Cornell (DEMON KNIGHTS, ACTION COMICS, Doctor Who) and artist Ryan Kelly (NEW YORK FIVE, NORTHLANDERS). With the help of her quirky staff, Arcadia will pursue the truth of her abduction into danger, mystery and awe. SAUCER COUNTRY is a dark thriller that blends UFO lore and alien abduction with political intrigue, all set in the hauntingly beautiful Southwest.
There are aliens! They’re invading! And only a Democratic Presidential Candidate from New Mexico knows the truth! Promising to mix The West Wing with the X-Files, Saucer Country has a lot of bring to the table. Does it fill the plate, or is it too meager to fill a saucer? (Ba-dum tsss)
Follow the cut for more, which in no way will end up with you on table getting probed. I almost promise. What I can’t promise a spoiler-free review, however. Click with caution.
This book had lofty goals. As I mentioned before the cut, its premise is built upon the idea that The West Wing and the X-Files can indeed find a way to merge into the same property and not only make sense, but be a readable. Thankfully, in the capable hands of Paul Cornell, who is one of the most reliable writers in the industry, it mostly succeeds, save for a couple bits that were a tad confusing. Hopefully, those were simply setting up future awesomeness, as Cornell is wont to do.
To his credit Cornell, Cornell used the opportunity to cast the lead as someone who would be painted as an alien of a whole different sort in the political arena, being a person of color who just happens to be of Mexican descent. One of the best political comments I’ve read appears in this book. The phrase that Governor Alvarado uttered: “Americans ARE aliens” should strike a chord with people who read this book, because it’s very true. You can posture all you want about the state of undocumented immigrants, but everyone who came to this country after Europe discovered the New World is an alien.
As a matter of fact, the politics in the book are much more interesting than I initially anticipated. The preview was mostly centered on the politics, and I craved more sci-fi. But after reading the book, I feel that the meat of the story is in the machinations of the political process is something woefully underexplored in a medium like this. Sure there are books like Ex Machina, but other than that, there’s not much.
But while I preferred the politics of it all, the sci-fi had its own draw as well. But while I did enjoy most of it, this is where it got just a little bit confusing. There was a true X-Files moment of course, but it felt a little out of placed and perhaps a little bit forced. The idea of using a woman’s uterus to further the plot is all too common, and at this point, I’ve grown tired of it.
But if there was one bit I enjoyed, while simultaneously finding myself confused by, it’s the Professor who has seemingly lost his mind and believes in aliens a little TOO MUCH. He and his little friends make of an entertaining group, and I would like to see more of them in the future, perhaps on the run with the Governor. That’s probably obvious to any that read it, but it bears mentioning.
Continued belowThe art, provided by frequent Brian Wood partner Ryan Kelly, is as good as it’s ever been. I admit that the only Ryan Kelly work I can say for sure I’ve read is His and Wood’s “Local,” but compared to that already masterful book, this book looks absolutely stunning. The colors, which were sorely lacking in “Local” as some of the most vivid and stunning pages I’ve seen in a good long while. The character models all look incredible, from Arcadian Alvarado herself to the alien dream-guy who looks suspiciously a lot like Grant Morrison to the aliens themselves. Everything he provided in this book is worth the price of admission alone.
You should check this out on your own, but be warned that the sci-fi isn’t exactly treading any new ground. I’m fairly sure I’m also contractually obligated to dock the book a tenth of a point because of violence against cats, so there’s that.
Final Verdict: 7.0 – Buy
