Outer Darkness #3: Away Team

I am loving this series’ blend of sci-fi and horror and although this issue is not as action packed as the last it does seem to have more lasting consequences with Rigg again acting against the advice of Satalis, who seemingly openly contemplated mutiny last issue. I am very curious what kind of underhanded tactics can be employed in a universe where demons walk freely and death is impermanent.

The dramatic effect of the death of the crew members was a bit of a tease considering the eventual outcome. I did appreciate the last page reveal of the true nature of one of the “dead” but it seemed to be for dramatic effect and nothing else, potentially as an expository issue of the revival process in order to set up something later?

Strangely the art by Afu Chan is a bit on the cartoony side, which is a bit bizarre for such an Event Horizon-esque book but somehow it works perfectly with the dark tones of the book. I absolutely love the splash page early in the issue where the ensign and corporal die, the layout and action is just so insanely perfect, with the ship hanging overhead and Shin’s body floa- oh just look at the thing I can only describe so much!

The letter work by Pat Brosseau is fairly solid I like the alternate font used for Shin’s internal monologue, and I’m curious whether the strange symbols used in incantations translate to anything, I’d need to do some comparison I really hope they do as that’s a nuance I always love. I also really liked the sound effects employed during the firefight, it’s always cool when the sound of gunfire seems to overtake all else.