Southern Cross #4
Writer: Becky Cloonan (also cover artist)
Artist: Andy Belanger, Lee Loughridge
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: June 24, 2015
Southern Cross is a dense, claustrophobic sci-fi horror book that works well both within its boundaries and, when it breaks outside of them.
I’ve been waiting for this fourth issue for a while now. The previous three (which I didn’t review but, loved) were a slow, churning but, engaging thing that relied on and, executed well, elements of classic sci-fi, horror and even some deeply philosophically inclined mind altering stuff ala a gravity drive.
This fourth issue however, is a ramping up of sorts, an engrossing and interesting issue that leaves you wanting more despite its kind of stiff narrative.
The first half or so of this issue is calculated, precise and, a little rigid. For example, our main character Alex exclaiming “I can’t believe it!” is frankly, hard for me to believe, too because it just seems so...inauthentic, a means of progressing the story but not pulling you in. Then, right as it seems a little too perfect or cumbersome, there’s a glorious, mind-meltingly perfect resurgence of what made the first three issues of this book so compelling:
A maxed out, horrifying space monster inhabiting, deep space trip that expands beyond the boundaries of both the Southern Cross itself and, the limits of comic book storytelling.
Cloonan perfectly scripts this bizarre but, inherently interesting cornucopia of imagery that’s executed equally as well by Belanger and Loughridge. Here, is where Southern Cross really shines. A classic sci-fi book with tints of green and masses of ship powering wires that also totally subverts those tropes without disrespecting them. It builds on the Ridley Scott-esque influences in a way that is genuine, sincere and, creative.
I don’t know where Alex’s story is headed but, I’ll see it through to its end so long as this talented team of creators keeps up the high level of innovation they’ve maintained for the most part so far and filter out the stiffness that is unnecessary dialogue or secrets for the sake of secrets.
Like Alex and her sister, I want to haunt that icy moon of Titan and I want Cloonan et al to take me there.
Artist: Andy Belanger, Lee Loughridge
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: June 24, 2015
Southern Cross is a dense, claustrophobic sci-fi horror book that works well both within its boundaries and, when it breaks outside of them.
I’ve been waiting for this fourth issue for a while now. The previous three (which I didn’t review but, loved) were a slow, churning but, engaging thing that relied on and, executed well, elements of classic sci-fi, horror and even some deeply philosophically inclined mind altering stuff ala a gravity drive.
This fourth issue however, is a ramping up of sorts, an engrossing and interesting issue that leaves you wanting more despite its kind of stiff narrative.
The first half or so of this issue is calculated, precise and, a little rigid. For example, our main character Alex exclaiming “I can’t believe it!” is frankly, hard for me to believe, too because it just seems so...inauthentic, a means of progressing the story but not pulling you in. Then, right as it seems a little too perfect or cumbersome, there’s a glorious, mind-meltingly perfect resurgence of what made the first three issues of this book so compelling:
A maxed out, horrifying space monster inhabiting, deep space trip that expands beyond the boundaries of both the Southern Cross itself and, the limits of comic book storytelling.
Cloonan perfectly scripts this bizarre but, inherently interesting cornucopia of imagery that’s executed equally as well by Belanger and Loughridge. Here, is where Southern Cross really shines. A classic sci-fi book with tints of green and masses of ship powering wires that also totally subverts those tropes without disrespecting them. It builds on the Ridley Scott-esque influences in a way that is genuine, sincere and, creative.
I don’t know where Alex’s story is headed but, I’ll see it through to its end so long as this talented team of creators keeps up the high level of innovation they’ve maintained for the most part so far and filter out the stiffness that is unnecessary dialogue or secrets for the sake of secrets.
Like Alex and her sister, I want to haunt that icy moon of Titan and I want Cloonan et al to take me there.
A Look Inside
