BOOKLIST (STARRED) -- Right at the start of this newsci-fi comic, scientist Grant McKay lops the head off an electro-toad and usesits jarring electric blue tongue as a whip against his amphibious enemies. Andthat's just the beginning of the strange beauty in Remender's latest. As thelead researcher of the Anarchist Order of Scientists, McKay has fractured therules governing interdimensional travel and taken his expedition (including hisfamily) into other worlds. What begins as an accomplishment of science andwonder quickly becomes a nightmare when McKay realizes the machine that broughtthem here is now jumping between dimensions at random intervals. Remender ismasterful when it comes to internal monologue, particularly here, when givingvoice to the inner struggles of this timid, regretful scientist. His writing isboth high-concept and descriptive, and it never loses sight of its humanity.Scalera perfectly echoes the off-the-wall story, drawing in sharp angles, losingthe viewer in trees of geometric shapes, and using a brilliant palette of candycolors that pop against black backgrounds that swallow deeply etched faces,lurking figures, and imaginative creatures in their shadows. A must-readfor Remender's fans or anyone thrilled by bizarre and compellingsci-fi.
