Mystery in Space used to be a sci-fi anthology comic from DC back in the fifties, best
known for introducing all of us to Adam Strange. Vertigo picks up the latest incarnation of that mantle with a one-shot 80-page giant. This new anthology has a wide array of different artists and styles, so there’s something for everyone. All the stories have something to do with outer space in some way.
Verbinsky Doesn’t Appreciate It
By Duane Swierczynski and Ramon Bachs
Everything starts off with some average Joe with a giant robotic arm. Awesome. The art was what first drew me to this story. Bachs has some really good expressions and storytelling in this comic, and I like Lee Loughridge’s colors a lot, too. A great example of keeping a story simple, but still giving the reader a lot to look at.
Transmission
By Andy Diggle and David Gianfelice
Conversing with an all-powerful computer over how to deal with a virus that’s taking over humanity. This story felt a little rushed—I think if it was longer, and the dialogue had been therefore stretched out, it might have worked better. But that’s obviously due to the constraints of doing a short story; back-story is tough to fit in. The art is very interesting, though. It’s tough for any comic artist to make a lengthy conversation visually interesting, and Gianfelice knocks it out of the park. You might remember Gianfelice from the first story “Sven the Returned” in Northlanders a while back.
Asleep to See You
By Ming Doyle
“Needing some space” taken to a whole new level. This one impressed me. What impressed me the most was Doyle’s ability to plow through a long amount of time within a few pages and really pull it off. Also, I’m a sucker for stories told entirely in inner monologue, so that had me, too. Some of the expressions in the characters seemed a little bland, but it fit with the story quite well, I think.
Here nor There
By Ann Nocenti and Fred Harper
Relationship issues and a cat named “Schrodinger.” Classy. On the one hand, I feel like the story is rushed, but on the other, it works in the same way that a short gag does—in that it only works at that length. The story runs with some very interesting ideas, and wonderfully plays off the whole concept that whether we’re in our houses, in deep space, or at the bottom of the sea, humans are humans.
The Elgort
By Nnedi Okorafor and Michael Wm. Kaluta
On a distant planet, a Windseeker saves people from certain destruction, but what’s the real cause of it? Well, no spoilers here! Today’s colorists could learn a lot from Eva De La Cruz’s work on this story. Absolutely gorgeous. The art is very detailed and intricate, but I think there are a few instances where that detracts rather than enhances. This story is probably my least favorite of the bunch. And I think that’s because while many of the others in the anthology connect with the reader on very basic and emotional levels, this one doesn’t as much.
Breeching
By Steve Orlando and Francesco Trifogli
A planet of centaurs where it’s a constant struggle between the animal and human instincts. What’s not to love? In the same vain as The Elgort, this one is about aliens on an alien world, but the story connects much better on a human level. Some very interesting visuals in this story, and Trifogli’s simplistic art delivers them very well. Some of the panels look a little rushed, but the story is very enjoyable to read and re-read.
Contact High
By Robert Rodi and Sebastian Fiumara
Relationship issues in space…you’d think it’d be getting old in this book by now, but this story is hands down my favorite one of the anthology. Fiumara’s art is fantastic in this one. Great storytelling and great characters and expressions. The story is a perfect fit for the length. It’s very easy to fall in love with the characters that Rodi introduces you to, so you can sympathize with them and their actions instantly.
The Dream Pool
By Kevin McCarthy and Kyle Baker
Humans or Europans: who gets the small moon and the mystery it contains? Anyone who’s a fan of Kyle Baker’s Why I Hate Saturn will want to check this book out simply due to this story. The story takes some unique twists, so it’s always interesting. The ending seemed a little unjustified, but aside from that, it’s a solid read. I enjoyed it.
Alpha Meets Omega
By Mike Allred
Alpha meets Omega, and what do you get? Infinity. You know, in all honesty, I’m not a fan of Mike Allred’s work, but this story had me. His artistic style really fits very well with the story (which he penned as well), so my interest in his work has definitely grown. This story gives you a lot to think about, and I really like that.
I’ve had quite a bit of experience making short comics, so I know how tough it is. In the end, the writer will always feel like it’s rushed, no matter what. So my hat goes off to all the creators involved with this book for making their stories work so well. All in all, Mystery in Space is a good buy. At the end of it, if nothing else, you’ll have a whole list of writers and artists you’ll want to start following.
-Ted Woods
