Black Science is a standout series unlike anything out there. With multiple dimensions and a large group of main characters, it is a book where anything really can happen. Rick Remander draws from 1950’s pulp science fiction, creating crazed worlds with fish people, robotic technology alongside what looks like magic, and, in Black Science #5, a market world with multiple races who just want to sell things.
Grant McKay and his Anarchist League of Scientists have already faced a bizarre variety of monsters and lost two of its members. Now, in Black Science #5, they have found a place where they can rest and buy supplies. With the Pillar shifting dimensions on its own schedule, though, they can’t stay–not if they ever want to get back to their home dimension. Also, though the do not know it, they are being followed.
One of the many things Remander is doing well is writing short, often single-issue tales as the Anarchist League shifts from world to world while unfolding a larger tale. Here, the group has to find supplies, discover their mysterious follower, and regroup at the Pillar in time to shift worlds together. Over the longer story arc, McKay has to uncover the saboteur(s?) of his project, they have to stay hidden, the group has to figure out how to stay alive and how–or whether–to function as allies. There are also enough interpersonal and internal conflicts to fill a volume all by themselves.
Remander and Scalera are also cheerfully introducing aliens of every kind and in with a casual abandon only seen in 1950’s pulp. This issue alone features any number of unlikely species, many seen only in passing as McKay barrels through the marketplace or team members bargain.
Matteo Scalera has created a distinctive look for Black Science. Partly, it is drawn from pulp, but it has been updated, polished, and given a unique twist. People are slightly angular, often seen at odd angles–one shot here is pretty much up McKay’s nose–and everything is just a bit off-kilter, even among the Earthly types. Out in the alternate worlds, things are even crazier. Dean White, credited under “painted art” has created a richly colored series of worlds and strong, textured backgrounds that make the panels stand out.
Did I mention that there are crazed monkey ghosts at the end of this issue? There are crazed monkey ghosts at the end of this issue.