Zeb Larson reviews Black Science #8…
Trapped in a fantastical dimension, the Anarchist League of Scientists discover a race of bizarre creatures that hold the mysteries of the Eververse…and a startling discovery behind the Pillar’s deeper mythological significance.
Our protagonists are branching apart in this issue, as Nate and Pia are separated from Kadir and the others. Nate gets to be the narrator for this issue, which makes for an interesting issue. He provides a new perspective on Grant McKay When we’re not following Nate and Pia, we see some more of the tension between Kadir and the others, as the group progressively fractures under the weight of the secrets that everybody has been keeping. As always, spoilers are going to follow from this point on.
Nate and Pia survive the fall from last issue, though only because some kind of tree creature catches them as they tumble. Nate manages to break free from its grasp, and with some impressive acrobatics he manages to escape with Pia. Nate pushes himself onward with lessons he learned from his father about self-sufficiency. Elsewhere, Kadir and the others discuss the implications and dangers of interdimensional travel and the losses that they’ve sustained. In a twist, the Shaman speaks up and admits that he speaks English. In his home world, an interdimensional traveler accidentally gave Native Americans access to unprecedented levels of technology, allowing them to go on the offensive against the Europeans and conquer them. Kadir’s revelation that he sabotaged the pillar deliberately alienates the rest of the group, even as they seem to agree that the Pillar is a tremendous danger. All of this discussion means that Nate and Pia are fending for themselves in a hostile dimension.
Just what was Chandra doing with the Pillar? Her character has been left unexplored up until now, and we know very, very little about her. Is she a double-agent, or there is something else altogether? It’s just another powder keg in a group already full of powder kegs ready to blow. Nobody really trusts Kadir at this point, and you can’t really blame them for that. But who is there that they can agree on as a leader? The only outcome to really count on is further chaos.
This issue really showed off the strong character development that this series has going for it. The dynamic that really needs to be explored is between Pia and Nate, because they have such diverging views of their father. Pia is full of anger and resentment at a man who was never there, while Nate admires Grant and the way he approached the world. I’d hoped for a long time that they would develop the character of the Native American shaman, and I’m happy that they did here. The Shaman’s particular reality was so weird and interesting, and Remender does an excellent job in using it to illustrate the dangers of this technology McKay and the others have created. Seeing all of these possibilities for the narrative is exciting.
Damn though, Rick Remender is a writer that is actively cruel to his characters. Most writers want to put protagonists through a struggle, but from beginning to end, things have gone badly for this little band of travelers. We need a little break again just to collectively catch our breath and take stock of everything that has happened. It’s not that they need to land in a paradise dimension, just somewhere where the full of weight everything that has happened can sink in.
Zeb Larson – Follow me on Twitter
Originally published August 27, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
