All the alternate-universe hopping comes to a climax here as three different groups with three different Pillars converge. “Our” travelers are still on the millipede planet being pursued by the fanatical beings who appear to worship death and to view the Pillar as a way to spread their “release” across the many alternate universes. There are multiple versions of people, some of who have appeared before, and an all-out battle for control of the device. Also, there is a flying hippopotamus. This last is appealing in its own right, but also shows the sheer craziness Remender and Scalera are corralling in this series.
As a matter of fact, the craziness was enough that I needed the short summary in the letters column to fully understand what happened. After reading that and then rereading the issue, things made more sense. Partly, this was because of forgetting elements between issues; as much as I have enjoyed reading Black Science monthly, this is definitely an arc that will be better read as a collection where all the twists and turns can be read, appreciated, and re-examined in one reading and with the ability to flip back and forth between pages.
The other part of the equation is the sheer density of the story Remender and Scalera are writing; they are not afraid to layer in multiple elements and to push the story as far as it can go. The result is an exploration of unknown territory, where familiar storytelling maps do not always apply. It is well worth paying attention to.
Scalera and White are, as always, producing top-quality art. The vivid, textured coloring White provides is essential to the book’s vitality. Scalera has a knack for creating insane fifties science-fiction creatures. See the flying hippos and millipede people for examples.
Black Science #11 is available December 24th 2014 from Image Comics—just in time for Christmas. It is the end of an arc, and the story will resume March 2015.
Story By: Rick Remender
Art By: Matteo Scalera
Art By: Dean White
