An Imperfect Man In A Perfect World: Black Science #41
by Josh Davison
[*Mild Spoilers Ahead!]
The war is over, and the good guys won. Though Grant and Sara’s plan of attack failed, Kadir and Chandra were there to take Doxta down for good. Kadir took Doxta’s power and remade the world, and this time, it is perfect. The world lives in harmony, machines help make sure that people live happy and healthy lives, and Grant and Sara’s family is whole and see one another frequently. Unfortunately, Grant remembers what really happened, and only Grant remembers. He’s discontent, he wants more chaos and spontaneity in the world, and he’s willing to raise a little hell to make it happen.
Black Science #41 shows us a world at peace–except for one lone soul who is willing to overturn it all. Kadir beat Doxta; his way was right. However, he still holds a grudge against Grant, and he wants Grant to admit to Kadir that he was right before having the memory of Doxta removed.
Needless to say, this is a grand act of spite on behalf of Kadir, but it can’t be denied that Kadir brought peace to the world. That makes this issue a sheer interpersonal conflict between Grant and Kadir, and, once again, Grant strains against the restrictions that confine him. Frankly, it’s compelling as hell. Grant lives in the Garden of Eden, but he was born having already eaten of the Tree of Knowledge.
There are some jokes that seem to complain about political correctness and all that, and those are the weaker parts of the comic. It’s not really explained why this is a part of Kadir’s perfect world either.
Matteo Scalera once again knocks it out of the park in this issue. Some of the close-ups on Grant in particular in this comic do a wonderful job of showing what’s going on in Grant’s head without a single word having to be said. Moreno Dinisio’s color work is brilliant as well, making each panel striking with the color contrast.
Black Science #41 is another fantastic observation of one of its two main characters. Grant is an impulsive agent of chaos, but does he not have the right to fight back against the new autocrat that runs his world, even if this world is “perfect?” Grant is far from a perfect man, and he’s arguably not even good. However, he’s the only one who knows the truth, and he’s a very compelling lead. This comic easily gets a recommendation. Give it a read.
Black Science #41 comes to us from writer Rick Remender, artist Matteo Scalera, color artist Moreno Dinisio, letterer Rus Wooton, cover artist Matteo Scalera with Moreno Dinisio, and variant cover artist Kim Jung Gi.
Final Score: 9/10
