Mysteries of Love in Space #1: Are You Wearing Space Pants?

The New Gods in “An Apokaliptian Love Story” (review by Cody White)

James Tynion IV (writer)
Jesus Merino (artist)
Romulo Fajardo Jr. (colors)
Clayton Cowles (letters)

Rebel lovers, Saraqel and Markus, are separated on Apokolips, with Saraqel tortured at the hands of Granny Goodness for information she refuses to give– the location of Markus. Tynion constructs a careful argument about love and sacrafice before ripping the beating heart out of this story by revealing that Markus was Darkseid in disguise all along, leaving no course but for Saraqel to become a Fury.

Kilowog in “Old Scars, Fresh Wounds” (review by Trey Campbell)

Kyle Highins (writer)
Cian Tormey (art)
John Kalisz (colors)
Clayton Cowles (letters)

A glimpse into the heart of Kilowog as he contemplates the balance of romance and work in his life. After a date that ends in a less than satisfactory way, kilowog dealy with a headstrong recruit that reminds him a lot of himself. This was a heart wrenching and touching story accompanied by warm yet shadowy art that really captures the tone of the story.

Bizarro in “Backward Heart” (review by Cody White)

Saladin Ahmen (writer)
Max Dunbar (artist)
Paul Mounts (colors)
Dave Sharpe (letters)

“Backward Heart” is a tale of the brief connections that make life worth living. Bizarro hears a voice, belonging to the hero Grotesqua, and together the two save a planet and spend a lovely night together. Alas, it was never meant to last as Grotesqua must leave to carry on her mission. It was the best and worst day of Bizarro’s life but the tale leaves the reader with a sense of hope. Hope in fate and hope for the future.

Hawkgirl in “Galentine’s Day” (review by Cody White)

Cecil Castellucci (writer)
Elena Casagrande (artist)
Jordie Bellaire (colors)
Steve Wands (letters)

Left alone on Valentine’s Day, Hawkgirl takes monitor duty and discovers a foreign object hurtling towards Earth. Upon investigation, she discovers an alien female on a mating journey and with the help of Jessica Cruz and Starfire, manages to divert the alien safely. This story seems beset by problematic discourse regarding the concept of “the one” and appears to define Hawkgirl soley by her relationship to Hawkman, but somewhat redeems itself by having the characters place great friendship with each other over great love.

Space Cabbie in “GPS I Love You” (review by John Jack)

Aaron Gillespie (writer)
Max Raynor (artist)
HI-FI (colors)
Dave Sharpe (letters)

Space Cabby stars in a tale of love that makes us all remember that five year period we hung onto our nokia brick phone when smart phones became a thing, excellent cosmic visuals abound in this story of a man and his GPS.

Crush in “Crushed” (review by Trey Campbell)

Andrea Shea (writer)
Amancay Nahuelpan (art)
Trish Mulvihill (colors)
Tom Napolitano (letters)

Has Crush found love in a alien girl who has made a name for herself as a seemingly undefeated fighter in The Pit? This is a cute teen love story with a twist. In just a handful of pages, this story takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions that doesn’t let go and gives a bit of depth and feeling to the girl who may be the daughter of one of the universe’s most heartless bounty hunters.

Lois Lane & Superman in “Glasses” (review by John Jack)

Jeff Loveness (writer)
Tom Grummett (pencils)
Cam Smith (inks)
Adriano Lucas (colors)
Tom Napolitano (letters)

Lois Lane gives us a heartstrings tugging breakdown of the reasons she loves the man beneath the Superman. She talks about the sweet, caring man beneath, he cares so much. The gigantic heart with room for everyone, and a special place for her. Superman loves us all.

Adam Strange in “The Planet Pendulum” (review by Cody White)

Gardner Fox (writer)
Mike Sekowsky (pencils)
Bernard Sachs (inks)
Julius Schwartz (editor)

A “strange” entry into the anthology tells of an adventure shared by Adam Strange and Alanna on a primative planet. A reprint of a classic tale, there doesn’t seem to be a central element of love here beyond the relationship between Strange and Alanna and the strains Zeta Beam technology places on that relationship (never permanent, once the radiation wears off, Adam disappears).