Written by: Rick Remender
Art by: Matteo Scalera
Publisher: Image
Black Science #14 is an exploration of the expectations fatherhood has on both the parent and the child, wrapped up in the larger narrative of the sci-fi, dimension hopping, odyssey Rick Remender and Matteo Scalera have woven.
Currently, Black Science has gotten a little harder to follow when compared to the earlier arcs, as it is almost bursting at the seams with characters, dimensions, and alternate versions of both, respectively. However, like a section of ropes coming together at their burnt ends, Remender is charging towards his finish line, answering questions and closing off plot lines masterfully. To use the phrase “firing on all cylinders” would be an understatement for this book as the characters are continuously thrown into life threatening after life threatening situations with little hope to look for. The singularity (or delirium, to quote another great Remender title) lies in the parental roles that are either forced or re-instigated upon our characters. This issue focuses on the alternate version of Grant as he finally is trying to force himself into the hero/fatherly role he needs to become, and the series is better for it. Having a singular character to root for, with pure intentions, allows the title a focus among the chaos.
Black Science’s art has always been consistently amazing (as has the writing) and while the departure of Dean White’s colors is sorely missed, Moren Dinisio as his replacement seems more than capable for the task at hand. His color work sings in the deep. neutral tones of the sands and landscapes present in the title, evoking a Moebius style of color to Matteo Scalera’s pencils, which is some of the highest compliments I can bestow.
Black Science is (and hopefully always will be) an excellent title, so reviewing it relies solely on comparing it to it’s own greatness as opposed to that of it’s contemporaries. It’s consistently always a favorite, even when I feel like I need a map to follow it’s intricate web.
