Review: Black Science Volume 1 How to Fall Forever

Cover

Rick Remender is back to writing (hopefully) sci-fi greatness with his new book Black Science. He is most known for his creator-owned series Fear Agent (BTW, if you haven't read this, you're missing out on a great sci-fi series), and he as a new book that also dwell in the sci-fi pool.

Black Science (poorly chosen name BTW) is about this guy that invents a way to jump around dimensions and things (of course) go south really fast. In fact, the best way to explain what this is about is to talk about Quantum Leap (remember that kids?! If not go see it now). This is basically Quantum Leap with Dimensional jumps instead of time ones and punches and ray guns. Its starts with a experiment with dimensional jumping and end up stranded with no way to know where they'll end up (sounds familiar?).


What is Black Science after all? I have no ideia. As far as I know the title was an excuse for the main character to say something that Reminder though was cool (I guess). Its never explained nor does it have any impact in the story. It could very well be named Bureau of Dimensional Quantum Leap (much better title).

Sadly Rememder doesn't deliver the goods as he once did. Black Science is a cool book, but nothing compared with some of his former creations (Fear Agent for one). The plot, while interesting (Quantum Leap was the bomb back in the day), is all pace and little substance. The characters are shallow and one dimension, for the most part at least.

Not everything is bad of course, in fact this isn't a bad book, but it could be so much better. Remender has showed in the past that he can produce great books, and the book does get better as it moves forward. One thing in its favor is that it is never boring. Convoluted and shallow perhaps, but never boring. The action keeps poring in, mixed with a pinch of sexy and some ray guns.

Getting high with your floozy

It ends on an old fashion cliffhanger, and that mister Remender was well played because it does leave you wanting more. I'm in for another volume, but it as to get better. I want some flesh on my characters (please).

The art on the other hand is almost flawless. Of course this is highly subjective because if the art style is not to your liking chances are you're not going to give it much credit, but if that's the case, try to look past it. The first few pages are a bit harsh to the eye. Matteo Scalera and Dean White use a style filled with squared jaws, strait lines, steep angles, rough shapes and the occasional Dutch Angle. After those first pages, once you get used to it, its when it really shines. It suits the fast pace and action packed plot very well.

Monkey Business

If they can keep the consistency up and the fill-in artists down, it is an Image book after all, the visual aspect of the book will contribute greatly to its success. Only time will tell, but it is looking good.

So, will this surpass Fear Agent? Lets wait and see, but comparing both series first volume, Fear Agent takes the lead.

Publisher: Image Comics
Year: 2014
Pages: 152
Authors: Rick Remender, Matteo Scalera, Dean White
ISBN: 1607069679

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