Written by: Rick Remender
Art by: Matteo Scalera
Publisher: Image
“How can anything matter when every possible thing happens?”
Uttered from the mouth of the leader of the millipede death cult present in the pages of Black Science, one would be remiss in not realizing that this statement serves also as one of Rick Remender’s thesis’ for the series. Black Science is a book that deals with ultimately with consequence and what that word’s ramifications are when thrust into a world with limitless, random possibility. This issue picks up after last and serves as a more linearly focused narrative than seen prior, following Grant’s children’s dealings with the millipede death cult (man, that never gets less fun to type out). We follow their personal struggles, juxtaposed with the outward force of the threat of alien dangers while simultaneously combating their individual, divisive feelings on the ethical rationality of their (late?) father. What remains interesting is that the immediate turmoil seems to reside more in the children’s resentment towards their father and his mistress Rebecca whilst avoiding being killed by the millipede cultists becomes almost second nature. By portraying their turmoil in this faction, Remender clearly demonstrates how far Grant’s kids have come since his own unethical behavior thrust them into a world in which they should have no part in.
It’s hard to come up with more and more ways to praise Matteo Scalera’s pencils and Dean White’s colors. The double page spread depicting Grant’s kids riding a flying, spider legged, six-eyed hippo (I kid you not) is utterly breathtaking, awaited in beautiful golden hues of bright yellow set against the alien, moody, deep set purple and green shades. Seriously, both of these incredible artist knock it out of the park within every issue, making me as a reader feel spoiled to have such elegant consistency in a world of comic books where such a thing seems like pure fantasy. One interesting character development in this issue lies in the revelation of Rebecca’s (Grant’s mistress) which seeks to paint the early issues in an entirely different light and may shed some blame from the late(?) Grant’s shoulders.
You’ll notice the question marks surrounding the mortality state of our main hero, Grant, as Remender has consistently shown the reader multiple versions of this character and does not seem to want to explain any of their origins any time soon. This remains a blessing and a curse. It’s wonderful for it allows the reader to constantly be surprised at the infinite possibility present within the world of Black Science, but it can also detract from the weight of Grant as a character and his sacrifice as a whole.
Black Science is the most consistently wonderful and wondrous book on the shelf in thanks completely to the wonderful team of Rick Remender, Matteo Scalera, and Dean White. This issue is no exception.
