We Only Find Them When They’re Dead #1: Space Opera Dissect

“Unique” was the word that kept repeating in my head as I was read this comic.

A space opera is a tried and tested setting in many media aspects, but it must entail of that distinct detail that excels the title above mediocrity and the addition of mining deceased gods will do just that.

Whilst containing evident mystery as a title of this caliber should, writer Al Ewing managed to start us off with a relatively straightforward opening act. We get introduced to the four-person crew lead by Georges Malik who evidently from the opening pages has been apart of this life since a boy and is now in his late 40s/early 50s at a guess, Ella Hauer, the coroner (who conducts the cutting), Alice Wirth, the Quartermaster and Jason Hauer the Engineer. We witness the team alongside a vast amount of ships commence the procedure of harvesting the haul from the perished god, which to the team is a common task but to the reader it is a spectacle!

The artwork from the team of Di Meo and Miotti is incredibly vibrant and meticulous from the compact ship scenes to the two-page spread expressing the immense stature of the fallen deity. The scenes involving the harvesting of their assigned area of the cheek of the god is gruesome but simultaneously awe-inspiring! Injecting a horror feel which is well received!

The atmosphere that this creative team combined manages to construct while introducing us to this futuristic setting is enthralling backed up by a truly admirable premise. Some pages have a grave feel of isolation whilst a few pages later feeling encumbered – its sounds messy but it’s more refreshing to see.