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geekwayne's review
5.0
'Black Science, Vol. 1: How to Fall Forever' is a great read. Showing how pride and greed can lead to all kinds of problems. I really loved the book and can't imagine where it will go next, but the possibilities are worth thinking about.
Grant McKay has created a device called a Pillar. With the device, he can travel between dimensions. The only problem is, it gets triggered before it is ready, sending Grant, his kids, a group of scientists and a greedy company man careening off to who knows where. The book starts off in the middle of a chase and then catches the reader up. There are numerous flashbacks throughout the book to fill in gaps. Compounding things, the Pillar has decided not to work correctly, or perhaps was sabotaged, so when it activates, the team is not sure where they will end up. Things go from bad to worse like a slow motion car wreck. Alternate versions of people try to intervene to stop things and save the kids. You know it will end badly, but you can't stop reading.
The writing by Rick Remender is solid. The arrogance and danger had me wanting to yell at the character's stupidity in their choices. Art by Matteo Scalera is simply stunning. Gorgeous panels filled with strange alternate times. It all feels like the plot of a 1960s science fiction show like Lost in Space with a decidedly modern take. This is really good and I can't wait to see where it goes next.
I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this great SF graphic novel.
Grant McKay has created a device called a Pillar. With the device, he can travel between dimensions. The only problem is, it gets triggered before it is ready, sending Grant, his kids, a group of scientists and a greedy company man careening off to who knows where. The book starts off in the middle of a chase and then catches the reader up. There are numerous flashbacks throughout the book to fill in gaps. Compounding things, the Pillar has decided not to work correctly, or perhaps was sabotaged, so when it activates, the team is not sure where they will end up. Things go from bad to worse like a slow motion car wreck. Alternate versions of people try to intervene to stop things and save the kids. You know it will end badly, but you can't stop reading.
The writing by Rick Remender is solid. The arrogance and danger had me wanting to yell at the character's stupidity in their choices. Art by Matteo Scalera is simply stunning. Gorgeous panels filled with strange alternate times. It all feels like the plot of a 1960s science fiction show like Lost in Space with a decidedly modern take. This is really good and I can't wait to see where it goes next.
I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this great SF graphic novel.
stopnodont's review
3.0
This is the literary equivalent of a show like Rick and Morty, but if it took itself a bit too seriously and was a drama instead of a comedy. There are far worse ways to spend 30 minutes, which is about how long it takes to crush a volume of this if you are a fast reader.
The writing is okay, the art is above average.
The writing is okay, the art is above average.
unladylike's review
3.0
This is a fast-paced take on a common sci-fi idea: that of exploring parallel dimensions, and the consequences of doing so. The art is gorgeous, and I know Rick Remender can be a very good writer at times, but based on the first six issues of this series, I really didn't like ANY of the characters. That, and the fact that this is another one of those stories that throws the word "anarchist" around but when it comes down to it, it's just an egocentric "manarchist" pushing people around to follow his personal agenda.
vickerstaylor's review
4.0
The art is fantastic but the story jumped around a lot so it was a little hard to follow. Still intrigued and enjoyed it.
alexseekingspecfic's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
abookabookabook's review
4.0
This book reminds me of Sliders. I really liked the ideas behind Sliders.
This book is good, fun, and has adult themes and consequences for what would happen when Crazy Science Man takes his friends and family and mistress on a multidimensional field trip.
I can't wait to see what other worlds they end up in.
This book is good, fun, and has adult themes and consequences for what would happen when Crazy Science Man takes his friends and family and mistress on a multidimensional field trip.
I can't wait to see what other worlds they end up in.
catsy2022's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
zare_i's review
4.0
Story follows a group of scientists after device they made - so called Pillar - accidentally starts and pushes them to parallel universe. While this would mean confirmation of the theory behind the device everything does not go as planned - there are some passengers that are not meant to be traveling via device and device seems to be popping them around the parallel universes without control and even constantly into the middle of distant civilizations. And we all know how living organisms react to unexpected things.
Two things are of interest here. First, characters are far from likeable. Maybe kids (daughter and son of the chief scientist Grant, self-professed scientist anarchist (hence the name black (dark) science) are somewhat likeable (daughter was annoying rebel teen all the time but OK) but all others either harbor the secrets from the past or have hidden agenda. Second, people die here and as story progresses you cannot be sure who will be continuing from one issue to another.
Art is excellent, I especially like highly detailed panoramas of the mysterious parallel universes.
Recommended to all fans of SF action/adventure story.
Two things are of interest here. First, characters are far from likeable. Maybe kids (daughter and son of the chief scientist Grant, self-professed scientist anarchist (hence the name black (dark) science) are somewhat likeable (daughter was annoying rebel teen all the time but OK) but all others either harbor the secrets from the past or have hidden agenda. Second, people die here and as story progresses you cannot be sure who will be continuing from one issue to another.
Art is excellent, I especially like highly detailed panoramas of the mysterious parallel universes.
Recommended to all fans of SF action/adventure story.