Southern Cross #1

The Good

Alex Braith is off to Titan to find out some answers about her sister, who worked on the Zemi Rig and recently died. That's the nuts and bolts of the story for this first issue, but there is a bit more than that. The reader really gets to know its main character, Alex, in this issue and a little bit about this futuristic world. It's a lot to take in for a first issue, which is actually a tad part of the problem. We'll get to that later. Regardless, there is a great flow to this issue as it moves along as the reader is introduced to concepts we're completely unfamiliar with. This is one of those books where you'll get a satisfied feeling from the first issue, especially from a series that has the potential to feel so foreign, without being high concept.

SOUTHERN CROSS, to me, was something I had no idea what I was getting into. I love Becky Cloonan as an artist and her run as a writer on GOTHAM ACADEMY has been fantastic. SOUTHERN CROSS feels like the icing on the cake for this creator as she presents the reader with something incredibly serious that mixes the genres of science fiction and mystery.

The look of this book is a great driving force as Andy Belanger presents the art with Lee Loughridge on colors. The book has this cool, hip, indie feel to it without it coming off in any way as pretentious. Belanger's art does a great job catching the characters in singular moments, which we normally don't see as often in comics, like Alex holding her head up while talking to someone. I know that sounds a little bit nutty to say that's something great, but it lends credibility to the moment. Sometimes, it's the simplist of things that make art great.

As per usual, Loughridge provides some solid color work to help make each scene pop. His palate seems perfect for each scene, and I really enjoyed the work he did when Alex and the Captain are looking at the Gravity Drive, with a yellow glow reflecting off their faces.

The Bad

Starting off a new series that doesn't take place in the real world can be a little rough. Here, SOUTHERN CROSS does what it can to set up the world of the future, where people are working on Titan and space travel is a relatively normal thing, but there's a lot of information for the reader to take in with this first issue, with world-establishing as well as establishing the story, so at times, it's almost too much, but it is a necessary evil to keep readers coming back. In the long-run, it'll be a good thing for the series.

The Verdict

SOUTHERN CROSS shows a lot of promise and this issue gives the reader just enough to keep them roped in for future issues. However, this issue drops a lot of information on the reader to set this world up. It's a necessary evil for the book, and in the long run, it will do the series justice, but some may find it a bit much. Regardless, this is a series I'd highly recommend checking out if you like your science fiction a bit more grounded with a dash of mystery.

To be honest, I was beginning to feel a little sci-fi fatigue from Image. It was a light week so I picked this up. So glad I did. Andy Belanger is like a cleaner Paul Pope and the mystery absolutely hooked me. Best book I read this week.

I hear ya, especially with the more epic books happening over there. This was a lot more like "sci-fi light," which was really appealing

dat art

It's more of a sci-fi setting, less a sci-fi story. So far anyway.

Yeah, I was floored by Andy Belanger's art in this book.

I picked it up because Cameron Stewart said it was like a 80s sci fi horror movie which yea it was but I'll be waiting for it in trade instead. I know, I know I'm a horrible person.

Not a bad first issue. Will trade wait for sure.

...so this has nothing to do with Fist Of The Northstar?

I thought "What the hell", but am sure glad I did. Image is KILLING IT lately. Well, mostly...couldn't get through The Surface. That art made me nauseous!

This is how I imagine backpacking to the moon would be like... on the Titanic 3000!

I'd been looking forward to this book for a far bit and I was not disappointed. Great review. You reflected my thoughts on this first issue exactly.

Haha, yes, I agree!

@ms-lola: Hehe. It's definitely a great book and exciting first issue. I love the mixture adventure, mystery, and suspense. The most impressive aspect of Southern Cross is the suspense. Perhaps it's just me but I was constantly thinking "do not go there" and "do not trust this person." Eventually nothing happened. Well, nothing of what I was expecting or had in mind anyway. Other stuff, very unexpected stuff happened though. There's something really cool about the story telling here, and I can really see myself walking around and discovering that ship myself. So I hope the transport to Titan will not only last six days but a couple of issues as well.

@donfelipe: Exactly how I took it! Especially this:

Perhaps it's just me but I was constantly thinking "do not go there" and "do not trust this person." Eventually nothing happened. Well, nothing of what I was expecting or had in mind anyway.

Plus, I didn't see the ending coming. Interesting twist in an otherwise very mysterious but very cool story so far.

@donfelipe: I got the Fan Expo variant signed by both Cloonan and Belanger this past weekend! Just, you know, sharing the joy. (:P)

@ms-lola: Haha. Sounds great. Congrats!

You really know how to make me feel jealous. It's not about that signed copy though. Well, perhaps a little? :) The Fan Expo is in Canada, right? Comic Con & Canada, these are two places I'd really really like to go. I've been to Canada only once, as a 5-yr old boy, and ever since then I've been dreaming of going back there sometime... anyhow, long story.

Did you do any cosplay?

@donfelipe: Fan Expo is held at the end of summer but they hold a ComiCon as a sort of mid year prepper (the same organisation) which is what this past weekend was. The one coming up in September will be much larger and I am anticipating a lot more creators. I got myself an Amazing Spider-Man #700 signed by Stan Lee last year although to be fair, I ordered it online rather than getting to meet him face to face.

Canada is awesome. You have to come back.

As for cosplaying, I played with the idea but ditched it. It seems very much a group thing and the ones who were walking around solo appeared to be professional. I take myself a little too seriously, anyway. I'd probably obsess over it too much if I were to, haha.