Readers are in for one helluva super-trippy ride filled with scares and suspense in Southern Cross #4. With images upon images, the fourth installment proves why this series is a smart and entertaining reading experience. As a cerebral and existentialist mystery, “Southern Cross” is an awesome accomplishment when story and art work side by side.
WRITTEN BY: Becky Cloonan
ART BY: Andy Belanger
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: June 24, 2015
In the vastness of outer-space, Alex Braith is starting to feel consumed by the dark and empty hallways of the spaceship, Running away from the dead, Alex finds herself swallowed up by memories of her dead sister. Never knowing which is which, Alex doesn’t know if she’s being given a warning, or if it’s all just a hallucination. Could someone on board the ship be actually trying to kill her?
I love how writer Becky Cloonan builds the main character’s backstory through flashbacks. Because of sibling rivalry, is Alex trying to redeem herself from what happened in the past? But we’re left to question if the main protagonist is making up a false childhood memory?
Cloonan adds more to Alex’s strong personality as her punkish attitude breaks down bit by bit. Alex is afraid that her vulnerability will somehow get her killed. As the list of suspects grow, readers will get a chance to pick and choose who might be a red herring.
Artist Andy Belanger captures images on top of images as a visual metaphor for something grand. With Belanger playing around with the panel layouts, are the visuals meant to ask about humanity’s place in the universe? Or is the surreal imagery supposed to represent Alex’s mindset? You can’t go wrong with either interpretation, which is why Belanger is at the top of his game.
When the imagery turns surreal, colorist Lee Loughridge breaks away from the dark pinkish tones and adds a more vibrant scheme. Notice how the panels are brighter and intense as Alex continues to hallucinate.
“Southern Cross” #4 keeps getting better and better. There are two issues left before the first story arc closes.
Reviewed by Jorge Solis