Dark Matter #1 Review: Mallozzi’s New Masterpiece

For years, Joseph Mallozzi awaited the end. But every time things looked to have reached their climax, it would miraculously pick up.

The writer-producer behind all three “Stargate” series didn’t sit idly and wait. Instead, he prepared for the future with a new science fiction series of his own. And so, every time the popular sci-fi show was renewed, Mallozzi loyally worked on, but also reaped in more time to develop his future series.

Then last year, when the popular science fiction television series finally came to a close, Mallozzi saw the opportunity for his next adventure: “Dark Matter.”

Initially meant to be a pilot script, Mallozzi and long time writing partner Paul Mullie decided instead to create a comic book and use it as a springboard for a television series. With artist Gary Brown, colorist Ryan Hill and Dark Horse Comics on-board, Mallozzi and Mullie hold what will be the next great science fiction adventure.

“Rebirth,” the first of a four-issue opening-arc to “Dark Matter,” wastes no time. A damaged spaceship rockets through space while inside six vertical green pea-pods, rooted by metal to the vessel, releases six unique characters from stasis.

One, the person we tend to gravitate towards if we ever found ourselves in a group, is the handsome, funny, could-be-hero. Two could easily pass for Trinity from “The Matrix,” cold, distant, intelligent and won’t hesitate to kick your butt. Three is the hotheaded bull who won’t waste anytime to make his presence felt. Four is a fit, muscular, fearless lady with the sword skills of a samurai. Five is a little boy who doles out a bloodthirsty psychopath’s perspective on ways to alleviate a headache. Six is a muscular dark man with an economy for words, but can dish out a wealth of pain.

After Two stabilizes the ship, they are dumbfounded to find out that their memories are wiped clean of their mission, purpose and most importantly, their identities. Normally, when characters start with a clean slate, the author will fill page after page with filler flashbacks or side missions to help flesh out the characters. Thankfully, “Dark Matters” refrains from that novel method. Instead, every single piece of dialogue, action sequence, reveals a new piece to the puzzle that will keep you anxious to turn the next page.

“Dark Matter” proves to not only be well-written, but also composed marvelously. Brown, the long time cover artist for BOOM! Studios, brings his unique style of raw realism that holds your eyes to the page. The artwork wholly dramatizes the emotions of each character, while the action sequences feature long exposure captures that holds the electric kicks from one sequence to the next. Hill provides the right mix of colors that never takes away from the focus in each and every frame.

The end of one great science fiction phenomenon has lead Mallozzi and Mullie to bring about the next great science fiction phenomenon; apt that the first chapter is entitled “Rebirth.” Structured with a mysterious narrative depth, that will grip you from start to finish, and balanced with striking artwork, “Dark Matter” will be better than that other ride through deep space.