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Review: “Black Science” #8

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After Kadir’s heroic but ultimately disastrous rescue attempt last issue our heroes have been divided into two separate yet equally important groups in “Black Science” #8. Kadir and what’s left of the Black Science team, including the mentally compromised Chandra, and Grant’s children, who can only rely on each other in an utterly foreign forest.

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WRITTEN BY: Rick Remender

ART BY: Matteo Scalera

PUBLISHER: Image

PRICE: $3.50

RELEASE: August 27, 2014

Reviewed by Torbin Chimners

The issue swiftly opens on Pia and Nate in a free fall following their tumble over the cliff last month. Before then even make landfall they are assaulted by the spectacularly out of this world local wildlife. Nate narrates the whole intro and it’s really damn engrossing. He speaks at length about his relationship with his father, Grant, about how he raised him with some rather unorthodox parenting. Up until this point Nate’s mostly been like a piece of scenery that no ones really paid much attention to besides to protect, with no real personality to speak of. Now he’s finally coming into his own and becoming one of the paramount characters of “Black Science.”

As we move out of the jungle and into Kadir’s camp we’re reminded of Chandra’s alien gas ‘condition.’ I’d forgotten all about this and had to go back a couple issues and refresh myself, but that didn’t make it make any more sense. I’m sure this subplot will come to a head by the end of this arc but for now it’s still as confusing as ever.

To counteract that confusion the Shamans startling reveal answered some questions I’d forgotten I’d had from way back in issue #2. Although I’m still convinced that he has some kind of secret connection with Grant, possibly being the Grant McKay of his dimension.

The void left by Grant is really starting to sink in now, a few issues after his death. While he was the glasses through which we saw the world of Black Science, with him dead there’s a lot of room for secondary characters to really grow and show their true colours. It’s an exciting time for the series.

Last issue was all spectacle with Kadir’s valiant rescue attempt but this issue is all character. Nate and the Shaman fundamentally take over as the stars and boy do they shine. While I miss Grant immensely the series high level of quality has not wavered an inch. As the book continues I’m sure we’ll see many characters come and go, some well before their time, because not one character is infallible. The star of the show and true backbone of the series is and always will be, for lack of a better word, The Multiverse of “Black Science.”

Torbin Chimners AKA Torin Chambers is a rad dude from the nineties who does film stuff or something. Thomas the Tank Engine is his favorite transformer. Find him on Twitter: Vulgar_Rhombus 

 

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‘The Wicked Trinity’ – Preview New Archie Comics One-Shot Inspired by ‘The Craft’ [Exclusive]

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From Sabrina’s Magical World, Bloody Disgusting has learned this afternoon that Archie Comics will be releasing brand new one-shot comic The Wicked Trinity this coming June.

You’ll be able to meet The Wicked Trinity in the 32-page comic on June 12, 2024.

In The Wicked Trinity, “Sabrina’s magical nemesis Amber Nightstone and her sidekicks, Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill, are intent on becoming the most powerful witches in the world. Isolated from so many around them, the three have formed a coven based on their individual needs for vengeance and true freedom.

“But when there is some dissent among the ranks, their small coven is threatened to be obliterated from within.”

The Wicked Trinity features a script by Sam Maggs, art by Lisa Sterle, colors by Ellie Wright, letters by Jack Morelli, main cover by Lisa Sterle, and variant cover by Soo Lee.

Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante tells Bloody Disgusting, “When Editor-In-Chief Mike Pellerito came up with the idea of the Wicked Trinity—Amber Nightstone, Jade Kazane, and Sapphire Gill—I was immediately intrigued. I even had the good fortune to work on the script for Jade and Sapphire’s first appearance in last year’s SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR comic for younger readers. What I especially loved about these magical teens is that they could seamlessly transcend from classic-Archie stories into more mature, even horror stories. I was eager to start developing their world with a modern sensibility, taking cues from the great work of Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish on our SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH series, and Sarah Kuhn and Carola Borelli on our recent DARKLING one-shot. Inspired by series like Charmed and films like The Craft, I knew there was so much potential to build up this coven in a story that beautifully blends magical fantasy with horror.”

Writer Sam Maggs previews, “Real witches writing real witches—that’s how we do things over at Archie Comics! I was named after a famous witch—Samantha from Bewitched—and so I grew up absolutely obsessed with everything witchcraft, devouring every book series I could about teen witches. That makes WICKED TRINITY a dream project for me. The power and energy of teen girls is absolutely unmatched (just look at the engine behind fandom culture) and being able to harness that metaphorically for a story like this is such a delight. Everything I write focuses on the power of female friendship, and this story is no exception. And what’s better than a morally grey female character? I struggle to think of anything. Cat familiars, maybe? Also, I’m totally a practicing witch now. So maybe if you read this, you’ll find yourself imbued with magical powers, too.*

Artist Lisa Sterle adds, “I can’t wait for people to be re-introduced to The Wicked Trinity! Witches, fashion, and Archie Comics; this is truly a magical trifecta and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to put my own personal stamp on this. I love to create stories in which girls find their own power, both from within themselves and through their friendships and coven. If you’re a fan of my Modern Witch tarot, you’ll find this comic just as magical.”

Exclusively check out the two covers for The Wicked Trinity one-shot comic below!

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