Mystery in Space # 2 (of 8)
DC COMICS
WRITER: Jim Starlin
ARTISTS: Shane Davis, Matt Banning, Jim Starlin, Al Milgron
COVER: Shane Davis, Matt Banning

The newly-resurrected Captain Comet begins the investigation into his own murder. That means sniffing around in the sleazier sections of Hardcore Station, a gigantic space station-cum-trading port, conceived by Starlin in an earlier miniseries. The tale is a strangely-pleasing blend of detective tale and space opera. Starlin's writing has improved as he gives the captain a more likeable personality without changing him into a completely new character. The dialogue flows smoother and is more natural, unlike earlier Starlin tales where characters would often deliver melodramatic monologues. There are some unnecessary changes that seem intended simply to put Starlin's own "stamp" on the DC universe, such as the change in the hero's name from Captain Comet to just plain "Comet"-- (like the Superhorse.) The inclusion of gruff, loveable losers as sidekicks to the main characters also looks like an attempt to bring "Pip the Troll" over to DC. There is also the death of a once-popular DC character that largely serves for shock effect or just to leave a cryptic clue for the now-demoted Comet. Aside from the main story with Comet, there is also a backup story, featuring Starlin's other old DC creation, the Weird, an interdimensional energy being inhabiting an animated corpse. He has also been resurrected and is exploring Hardcore Station, even if it means coming into conflict with the powers that be. The back-up is not as compelling as Comet's story but is pleasing enough. The art in this comic, both in the main story and the back-up, has improved considerably. The creative team understands that just because they are doing a space opera, they shouldn't fill their panels with sci-fi props that no one can understand. We may be in outer space but a gun still looks like a gun, a loading dock still looks like a loading dock and a grouchy matron looks like a grouchy matron. These are the kind of details that make such stories more accessible to the general readership, outside of the small circle of sci-fi geeks.

Mystery in Space # 1 (of 8) Review