SOUTHERN CROSS #1 Review

Is this yet another Image #1 that you should be picking up? Or is the company producing too many titles, hindering it’s average success rate? Read on to find out.

The official description from Image:

NOW BOARDING: Southern Cross, tanker flight 73 to TITAN! Alex Braith is on board retracing her sister’s steps to the refinery moon, hoping to collect her remains and find some answers. The questions keep coming though—how did her sister die? Where did her cabin mate disappear to? Who is that creep across the hall? And why does she always feel like she’s being watched? Inspired by classic mysteries and weird fiction, SOUTHERN CROSS is a crucible of creeping anxiety and fear as Braith struggles with the ghosts of her past on board a ship that holds secrets best kept buried.

All aboard the Southern Cross, as Image Comics takes us on a journey to the refinery moon, Titan. Following the death of her sister, Amber, Alex Braith joins the mass collective aboard this ship, heading to Titan in search of answers surrounding this untimely death. This in itself makes for an intriguing concept, but it’s the mysterious overtones, and strange background development that truly captivates.

Gotham Academy writer, Becky Cloonan, is the creative mind behind this tale, with the renowned artist continuing to establish herself as as more than just a talented illustrator. Introducing us to what initially seems like a generic sci-fi romp, Cloonan quickly turns it into something unique, with the strange and mysterious vibes alluring. The character development in Alex also proves noteworthy, as though she’s far from a likeable character, her loaner attitude, and inquisitive mind make her a very intriguing character. Despite this, the writer didn’t really deliver anything spectacular, as though this opening issue certainly teased promise, it failed to deliver something that will leave fans vying for more.

The artwork on this series is handled by Andy Belanger, and though it’s far from perfect, it certainly suits this tale. Having a soft, yet detailed vibe, the pencils certainly help bring this tale to life, with the exquisite focus on the Southern Cross’ interiors allowing for an immersive environment. He also manages to bring wonderful depth to Alex as a character, as though at times his art feels flat, the way that he captures the unsociable tone of this character is truly commendable. This is all rounded off brilliantly, with fabulous colours from Lee Loughridge, with the soft, yet bold palette working wonders next to the environment.

Southern Cross #1 may not be the most exciting of opening issues, with the plot working at a rather slow pace. Nevertheless, the intriguing characteristics of protagonist, Alex Braith, and the mysterious overtone certainly make this a series that I’ll return to, and one that should be given a try.