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Black Science #4-6
Black Science Premiere, Vol. 2: Transcendentalism
Following the catastrophic final jump of the Pillar, the Grant McKay is stranded in the furthest reaches of space, adrift on the wreckage of his former self. Before he can reclaim his mantle as protector of the Eververse, he must first overcome the demons that lurk within his own soul. And when his path finally leads him back home, what has happened while they were gone? In a world of infinite possibilities, what can one man do to keep everything that could ever possibly go wrong from doing so?
Collecting arcs four through six of the ongoing sci-fi smash hit series by RICK REMENDER and MATTEO SCALERA in oversized 8x12" hardcover.
Collecting arcs four through six of the ongoing sci-fi smash hit series by RICK REMENDER and MATTEO SCALERA in oversized 8x12" hardcover.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published December 13, 2017
5 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Rick Remender
1,244 books1,422 followersRick Remender is an American comic book writer and artist who resides in Los Angeles, California. He is the writer/co-creator of many independent comic books like Black Science, Deadly Class, LOW, Fear Agent and Seven to Eternity. Previously, he wrote The Punisher, Uncanny X-Force, Captain America and Uncanny Avengers for Marvel Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 15, 2020
The dickhead goes on a journey of self-discovery and redeems himself.
And then life throws him a fuck-you sandwich. Everything he touches turns to shit.
Try to find your friends? <--they're either dead or you wish they were
Try to save your daughter?
Nope. How 'bout you end up fucking up her happily ever after? Will that work for you?
Finally make it home?
Wait. Is that your wife married to your mortal enemy?
Oop! Couldn't tell because the bad guys threw your ass into a mental institution too quickly.
I loved this one! I can finally see this thing going somewhere now.
And then life throws him a fuck-you sandwich. Everything he touches turns to shit.
Try to find your friends? <--they're either dead or you wish they were
Try to save your daughter?
Nope. How 'bout you end up fucking up her happily ever after? Will that work for you?
Finally make it home?
Wait. Is that your wife married to your mortal enemy?
Oop! Couldn't tell because the bad guys threw your ass into a mental institution too quickly.
I loved this one! I can finally see this thing going somewhere now.
December 30, 2019
I find Remender’s stories hard to follow as he has many characters. This is no different.
Overall though this has great material for a sci-fi story and lots of surprises. The problem is it never slows down and takes a breath to help you get to the know the characters, which is common in all his work.
Overall though this has great material for a sci-fi story and lots of surprises. The problem is it never slows down and takes a breath to help you get to the know the characters, which is common in all his work.
July 28, 2020
У в мене вже був пост про першу збірку мальопису «Чорна наука», який написаний у жанрі наукової фантастики. Головний герой Ґрант МакКей через випадок під час тестування пристрою телепортації потрапив разом зі своєю командою та двома дітьми в іншу реальність. Весь сюжет рухається в бажанні повернутися назад додому, потрапляючи все в нові химерні світи. Вони пройшли багато випробувань щодо дружби, довіри та сімейних цінностей, але через волю випадку розділилися й загубилися.
⠀
Друга збірка «Трансценденталізм» починається подіями за кілька років після завершення першої книги, де Ґрант проживає в новому химерному світі. Розлука зі своєю сім’єю та екіпажем вплинула на нього майже невиправно і він трішки з’їхав із ґлузду. На щастя, гірський бог допоміг йому розібратися в самому собі. Ґранту довелося відпустити всі свої дитячі травми, невпевненість і минулі помилки, щоб стати кращою людиною. Після цих химерних подій він приходить до тями і прямує на пошуки втраченої сім’ї та екіпажу.
⠀
Коли він знайшов свою дочку, яка мала одружитися та стати ледь не богинею в одному зі світів, то думав, що просто візьме її за руку, як відповідальний батько, та удвох полетять шукати її брата, щоб разом повернутися додому. Та повернути довіру своїх дітей і виправити помилки минулого не є легким завданням. Ґрант навіть готовий на самопожертву для того, щоб їхні стосунки покращилися.
⠀
На фоні сімейної саги, герої повертаються у свою справжню реальність, де Ґранта обливають брудом та звинувачують, що тільки він винен у цій трагедії. Поки він гниє у в’язниці, то одна із рас з іншої реальності планує захопити цей світ задля власної вигоди та ресурсів. Тому основним у цій збірці є об’єднання сім’ї та спроба врятувати власну реальність.
⠀
«Чорна наука» продовжує гарно розвиватися на фундаменті першої книги і далі виглядає шикарно, дякуючи унікальному візуальному стилю Маттео Скалери. А, і ще, Рік Рімендер дуже гарно обіграв жанр супергероїки в останніх випусках.
⠀
Далі завершальна збірка цієї чудової історії.
⠀
Друга збірка «Трансценденталізм» починається подіями за кілька років після завершення першої книги, де Ґрант проживає в новому химерному світі. Розлука зі своєю сім’єю та екіпажем вплинула на нього майже невиправно і він трішки з’їхав із ґлузду. На щастя, гірський бог допоміг йому розібратися в самому собі. Ґранту довелося відпустити всі свої дитячі травми, невпевненість і минулі помилки, щоб стати кращою людиною. Після цих химерних подій він приходить до тями і прямує на пошуки втраченої сім’ї та екіпажу.
⠀
Коли він знайшов свою дочку, яка мала одружитися та стати ледь не богинею в одному зі світів, то думав, що просто візьме її за руку, як відповідальний батько, та удвох полетять шукати її брата, щоб разом повернутися додому. Та повернути довіру своїх дітей і виправити помилки минулого не є легким завданням. Ґрант навіть готовий на самопожертву для того, щоб їхні стосунки покращилися.
⠀
На фоні сімейної саги, герої повертаються у свою справжню реальність, де Ґранта обливають брудом та звинувачують, що тільки він винен у цій трагедії. Поки він гниє у в’язниці, то одна із рас з іншої реальності планує захопити цей світ задля власної вигоди та ресурсів. Тому основним у цій збірці є об’єднання сім’ї та спроба врятувати власну реальність.
⠀
«Чорна наука» продовжує гарно розвиватися на фундаменті першої книги і далі виглядає шикарно, дякуючи унікальному візуальному стилю Маттео Скалери. А, і ще, Рік Рімендер дуже гарно обіграв жанр супергероїки в останніх випусках.
⠀
Далі завершальна збірка цієї чудової історії.
February 19, 2019
A big advantage that most second books have in a series is the fact that they don't have the burden of exposition holding them back. And that's definitely the case here. So we're free to ride the fast-paced tidal wave of action from the very beginning of this book. And I'm glad because it gets pretty crazy, let me tell you! After the cliffhanger of the first premiere edition, I was eager to see where our characters end up and where it all goes from here, and I was not disappointed. After a slow and plodding first chapter, Remender gives us more imaginative sci-fi thrills, jaw-dropping twists and turns, family drama, and shifting character dynamics, and makes this yet another great Black Science read.
January 6, 2018
Wow.
Cliffhanger much?
Submitted as Seasonal Reading Challenge Winter 2017 (-slash-2018) Task 30.10B: By the Numbers; Message 962: 06 JAN
Cliffhanger much?
Submitted as Seasonal Reading Challenge Winter 2017 (-slash-2018) Task 30.10B: By the Numbers; Message 962: 06 JAN
May 25, 2025
Just finished Black Science Omnibus Vol. 2 and wow—this thing does not let up. It’s pure dimension-hopping chaos in the best way. Remender throws the crew into one brutal world after another, and the emotional stakes somehow keep getting higher. The family drama hits hard, the betrayals sting, and the sci-fi concepts stay wild and ambitious. Matteo Scalera’s art is unreal—fluid, kinetic, and packed with energy. If you liked Vol. 1, this one doubles down on everything. Absolutely worth the ride.
January 15, 2018
Quite a bit of navel gazing as Grant McKay is stranded and thinking about his life and failures are the beginning of the book. The art and quality of the book stands up well to the first volume. There is a little more content and this book is thicker. The story keeps twisting in zany ways and I'm not sure what to expect next. This book does end with a cliff hanger.
January 3, 2021
This reads much better collected. Loved it more then the first time.
September 14, 2020
Wow. Pořád je to skvělé a pořád je to tak jiné! I po třiceti sešitech to má pořád co nabídnou a pořád to baví. Existenční drama zabalené do akčního sci-fi pulpu. Pořád je to rodině a o vlastních selháních coby otce a manžela. Trošku jako Vaughanova Sága vyprávěná z pohledu otce, který všechny zklamal. Je to mnohem depresivnější a mnohem více fantastické a nápadité. A také mnohem drsnější. Rick Remender se nebojí náhodných a zatraceně krvavých zabití, ani planetárních genocid. Tato druhá kniha začíná tří-sešitovým blouděním v mysli hlavního hrdiny Granta McKaye, kde bojuje s vlastním traumatem z dětství, které pak vyústilo v jeho vlastní chyby. Kniha pak končí absolutní vše-vesmírnou krizí, ve které se sejdou důsledky všech jeho přešlapů a omylů. Je to jízda!
Výtvarná stránka je stejně jako v první knize naprosto úžasná a uchvacující. Sedí mi art Matteo Scalery a hodně se mi líbí i barvy. Je to vizuální lahůdka!
Výtvarná stránka je stejně jako v první knize naprosto úžasná a uchvacující. Sedí mi art Matteo Scalery a hodně se mi líbí i barvy. Je to vizuální lahůdka!
May 26, 2023
Black Science, Vol. 4: Godworld
This has become a captivating read! Going deeper psychologically than the previous issues. Some Philip K. Dick multi-dimensional stuff.
#17 – “Because life is a series of difficult balancing acts. I think I’m just losing my equilibrium.” – McKay
#18 – Intense psychological fever dream!
#19 – “In life, you’re either climbing or falling. There’s no in-between.” – McKay remembering his father.
#20 – “GRANT? GRANT, WAKE UP.”
“Agony, head pulsing, blood in my mouth, smell of burning – a TERRIFIC start. This is not going to spoil my BRIGHT new tomorrow. No. Just a minor setback.”
#21 – “Two low-fat lattes for Rebecca.”
..
Black Science, Vol. 5: True Atonement
Who imagines this kind of multi-verse? I’m too far into it to stop now.
#22 – “She who ended this strife between our peoples! Let us be as we once were – a unified people, one voice in the cosmic conversation.”
#23 – “You don’t become a father the day your first child is born. You earn it slowly. Lesson by lesson, year by year, you grow. For some of us, it takes longer than others.”
#24 – “We all label ourselves. Focus on ONE thing we identify as above all others. I’m about to see what happens when you strip that thing away. How does an artist go on without arms?”
#25 – “Lived my entire life feeling alone. A disconnected alien destined for isolation. Hell is other people. So I kept to myself.”
..
Black Science, Vol. 6: Forbidden Realms and Hidden Truths
As post-apocalyptic as you can get! Every generic form of villain and hero is here! This series has picked up speed. One cannot reverse what one has read!
#26 – “NO ONE gets out of this life with their heart intact. That’s the PRICE of the ticket.”
#27 – “So many years running. I feel like if ii slow down, I’ll stop ENTIRELY.”
#28 – “In a great scientific cathedral, nearly six trillion dimensions away from our own, a congregation of heroes undertakes the momentous task of saving not only THEIR world but EVERY world!”
#29 – “Do you DENY that the alien plague that has taken over Hong Kong is connected to YOUR experiments, Mr Aslan?”
#30 – “It wasn’t until I’d f###ed up the entire world that I realized how to fix my own.”
..
This has become a captivating read! Going deeper psychologically than the previous issues. Some Philip K. Dick multi-dimensional stuff.
#17 – “Because life is a series of difficult balancing acts. I think I’m just losing my equilibrium.” – McKay
#18 – Intense psychological fever dream!
#19 – “In life, you’re either climbing or falling. There’s no in-between.” – McKay remembering his father.
#20 – “GRANT? GRANT, WAKE UP.”
“Agony, head pulsing, blood in my mouth, smell of burning – a TERRIFIC start. This is not going to spoil my BRIGHT new tomorrow. No. Just a minor setback.”
#21 – “Two low-fat lattes for Rebecca.”
..
Black Science, Vol. 5: True Atonement
Who imagines this kind of multi-verse? I’m too far into it to stop now.
#22 – “She who ended this strife between our peoples! Let us be as we once were – a unified people, one voice in the cosmic conversation.”
#23 – “You don’t become a father the day your first child is born. You earn it slowly. Lesson by lesson, year by year, you grow. For some of us, it takes longer than others.”
#24 – “We all label ourselves. Focus on ONE thing we identify as above all others. I’m about to see what happens when you strip that thing away. How does an artist go on without arms?”
#25 – “Lived my entire life feeling alone. A disconnected alien destined for isolation. Hell is other people. So I kept to myself.”
..
Black Science, Vol. 6: Forbidden Realms and Hidden Truths
As post-apocalyptic as you can get! Every generic form of villain and hero is here! This series has picked up speed. One cannot reverse what one has read!
#26 – “NO ONE gets out of this life with their heart intact. That’s the PRICE of the ticket.”
#27 – “So many years running. I feel like if ii slow down, I’ll stop ENTIRELY.”
#28 – “In a great scientific cathedral, nearly six trillion dimensions away from our own, a congregation of heroes undertakes the momentous task of saving not only THEIR world but EVERY world!”
#29 – “Do you DENY that the alien plague that has taken over Hong Kong is connected to YOUR experiments, Mr Aslan?”
#30 – “It wasn’t until I’d f###ed up the entire world that I realized how to fix my own.”
..
March 10, 2024
Bueno... el primer tomo de Ciencia Oscura ya comenté que aunque me había convencido lo suficiente como para continuar la colección, no me había volado la cabeza... y es que se ve que la munición se la estaba guardando Remender para este segundo "arco" de Ciencia Oscura. Manual de Entropía para Principiantes había terminado de la peor manera, con el grupo siendo traicionado por Rebeca, el Pilar destruido y cada uno de los supervivientes repartidos por diferentes dimensiones, así que al principio de Trascendentalismo, nos vamos a encontrar a Grant McKay, el protagonista y científico principal de la creación de El Pilar (os recuerdo que el Pilar es un aparato que permite saltar entre dimensiones paralelas), en una extraña dimensión recordando fragmentos de su pasado, tanto de su infancia como de su matrimonio, y creo que esta parte es la que realmente me ha enganchado a Ciencia Oscura, pues hasta este momento, más allá de un par de detalles aquí y allá, me daba la sensación de que los personajes no estaban demasiado desarrollados más allá de algunos puntos quizá incluso tópicos. Pero aquí, Remender (y Scalera) se lanzan a una odisea creativa para mostrarnos la historia de Grant McKay, antes de lanzar al personaje en su búsqueda del resto de los miembros de su equipo, con un episodio especialmente creativo dedicado a su castigo a Rebeca por su traición. Y a partir de ahí... a partir de ahí la serie es una maravilla con sorpresas en cada giro de página y en la que todo lo que hemos vivido hasta ese momento comienza a reunirse para formar una estado de guerra que recuerda a cualquier gran evento de Marvel o DC (de hecho hay alusiones a Aniquilación o al propio mundo superheroico), adentrándonos más y más en las consecuencias del uso del Pilar... y de la Ciencia Oscura.
Una gozada de lectura.
Una gozada de lectura.
April 4, 2018
Black Science Deluxe Edition Volume 2!!! I read volume 1 of this series back in 2016, so I had to re-read a bit. This volume sets off with Grant living off in some dimension, for 3 years, alone. Being separated from his family, and crew, took its toll on him, with his mind drifting at any moment. Luckily, a mountain God, quite literally in this case, helped him sort himself out. He had to let go of all his childhood trauma, insecurities, and past mistakes in order to become a better person. He then picks himself up and goes after his lost family and crew, and at the same time leaving off each world he passes by in a better state.
Unfortunately, the Grant-curse follows him and proves that fixing things aren’t as simple as he planned. Block (the investor, and overall prick), with his other dimension counterparts, is taking over the Eververse using Grant’s invention. The Dralyn are travelling the Eververse and killing every living being. The Fire Spirits are also travelling and making host of every living being. Grant somehow remains true to his creed, and pushes on through all of these, eventually losing his intellect, and his normal life in his home-dimension in the process. The only problem with this volume, is the 3rd volume is not out yet!!! Man, I can’t wait to get it. Rick Remender and Mateo Scalera is doing really great work on this series! I’d definitely be following this one to the end.
Unfortunately, the Grant-curse follows him and proves that fixing things aren’t as simple as he planned. Block (the investor, and overall prick), with his other dimension counterparts, is taking over the Eververse using Grant’s invention. The Dralyn are travelling the Eververse and killing every living being. The Fire Spirits are also travelling and making host of every living being. Grant somehow remains true to his creed, and pushes on through all of these, eventually losing his intellect, and his normal life in his home-dimension in the process. The only problem with this volume, is the 3rd volume is not out yet!!! Man, I can’t wait to get it. Rick Remender and Mateo Scalera is doing really great work on this series! I’d definitely be following this one to the end.
July 21, 2023
Mckay corriendo entre dimensiones para salvara sus hijos y su familia, corporaciones codiciosas que quieren los recursos del multiverso, y enemigos que parece que quedaron atrás, vuelven con ganas de sangre a nivel planetario, con sci fi, fantasía y mucho mas...
LO BUENO: La historia se mueve, y se agradece, pasan cosas y cosas que importan, y el enemigo de la bruja, los milpies y esos brillitos gaseosos, dan miedo, crean terror y sientes que pueden acabar con los héroes en cualquier momento, aunque lo de la bruja es de otro nivel, la maldita da miedo cada vez que aparece, cuando habla, cuando respira. El numero basado en Rebecca fue de lo mejor de la serie. El arte de Matteo es bueno, mantiene el nivel y sigue dejandonos boquiabiertos en los diseños de personajes.
LO MALO: El psicoanalisi -catarsis psiquica de McKey se me hizo larga y soporifera, igual el líder empresarial que tiene un fin muy absurdo y mal manejado, apresurado, y se siente tan igual al enemigo de TOKYO GHOST que da es pesar...
LO BUENO: La historia se mueve, y se agradece, pasan cosas y cosas que importan, y el enemigo de la bruja, los milpies y esos brillitos gaseosos, dan miedo, crean terror y sientes que pueden acabar con los héroes en cualquier momento, aunque lo de la bruja es de otro nivel, la maldita da miedo cada vez que aparece, cuando habla, cuando respira. El numero basado en Rebecca fue de lo mejor de la serie. El arte de Matteo es bueno, mantiene el nivel y sigue dejandonos boquiabiertos en los diseños de personajes.
LO MALO: El psicoanalisi -catarsis psiquica de McKey se me hizo larga y soporifera, igual el líder empresarial que tiene un fin muy absurdo y mal manejado, apresurado, y se siente tan igual al enemigo de TOKYO GHOST que da es pesar...
June 15, 2020
What I enjoyed the most in this volume was the couple of issues that psychologically examine who Grant is and why he is the way he is. When Remender does this, diving into the character's past, revealing those pivotal moments that shaped them, it really sticks with me and makes me understand and sometimes relate to the them.
This volume I felt was less hectic and frenetic, the pace slowing down considerably. There are still some action scenes but it revolves more about further defining the remaining characters as well as moving the plot pieces into place for the final conflict. The story is turning into a more typical "comic book", which disappoints me a little. Was really hoping for more originality. In the first volume I didn't know where it was going, but after this second volume it seems pretty obvious.
Still relish the art though. I just love the depth and details of the panels, coupled with the varied colors.
This volume I felt was less hectic and frenetic, the pace slowing down considerably. There are still some action scenes but it revolves more about further defining the remaining characters as well as moving the plot pieces into place for the final conflict. The story is turning into a more typical "comic book", which disappoints me a little. Was really hoping for more originality. In the first volume I didn't know where it was going, but after this second volume it seems pretty obvious.
Still relish the art though. I just love the depth and details of the panels, coupled with the varied colors.
June 17, 2020
This series is absolutely relentless! I kind of wish it would slow down just a touch so I can catch my breath and really process all these crazy ideas Remender is throwing around. It seems like he rarely takes a moment to spend a few quiet minutes with the characters so you can really get to know them, until you realise that he's been building character the whole time.
Through incessant action and breakneck pacing. It's really quite impressive.
He pokes fun at his own obsession with psycho analysis in the frequent introspective narration, but it's all done when the plot is bundling forward at top speed.
This series is a lot of fun, and full of rich characters that you don't even realise you're growing to care for until halfway through another chase scene.
My only hope is that the pacing doesn't detract from the ending, making it feel rushed and ham-fisted, as I head into the third and final book. Hopefully not!
Through incessant action and breakneck pacing. It's really quite impressive.
He pokes fun at his own obsession with psycho analysis in the frequent introspective narration, but it's all done when the plot is bundling forward at top speed.
This series is a lot of fun, and full of rich characters that you don't even realise you're growing to care for until halfway through another chase scene.
My only hope is that the pacing doesn't detract from the ending, making it feel rushed and ham-fisted, as I head into the third and final book. Hopefully not!
April 23, 2018
Black Science continues to build on the foundation developed in the first hardcover volume. This Science Fiction series really takes advantage of the unique visual medium of comics. Inter dimensional travel, a central concept of this book, could not be realized so fully in another format. The premiere design only enhances the beautiful panels of artist Matteo Scalera who continues to show immense talent.
Rick Remender is producing a number of high quality books but what really sets this series apart is its ability to jump from different time streams with high quality concepts. While each world has its own crazy characteristics but Remender keeps the central narrative firmly on the McKay family. Pia get some great moments to shine while Grant continues to struggle with his intellect and character flaws. The series ends on a huge cliff hanger and I look forward to the next volume!
Rick Remender is producing a number of high quality books but what really sets this series apart is its ability to jump from different time streams with high quality concepts. While each world has its own crazy characteristics but Remender keeps the central narrative firmly on the McKay family. Pia get some great moments to shine while Grant continues to struggle with his intellect and character flaws. The series ends on a huge cliff hanger and I look forward to the next volume!
July 9, 2020
Man, I dunno. I realize middle books, or middle-compendiums-of-fifteen-issues in this case, often struggle to keep things moving and interesting while building out the necessary backstory, plotlines, side-arcs, character development, etc. while also not getting lost in all of the above, but...yeah. This one was a bit of a struggle and took me much longer to read than the first as I just didn't feel compelled to pick it back up. There's only one more compendium so I'll probably finish it just because, but the drop-off from the first to second was definitely severe.
May 13, 2018
Once again Rick Remender and Matteo Scalera deliver a stellar volume of Black Science. The plot has twists and turns galore and the art is incredible. This is a series that truly strives in the graphic novel format and the cliffhanger ending left me hungry for more. Many new and exciting story developments stand alongside some well earned conclusions that make this a must read for anyone that enjoyed volume one. A great series by one of the best writers in the business today.
May 5, 2018
I enjoyed this a bit more than volume 1. We got more character development around the mckay family and the godworld arc that kicks off this volume is fantastic. The art looks great in this oversized format. Remender keeps you guessing and then leaves us waiting for the next volume. Worth a read for any Remender fans especially if you enjoyed Fear Agent.
July 17, 2020
4.5 stars. A tiny drop from volume 1, although that's a hard one to live up to. Much darker, especially the early arcs with more introspection and less fast paced action. That turns in the final arc which is a great ride. I'll say this, I didn't see most of the twists and turns! Can't wait to dive into the next volume!
September 12, 2018
No puedo creer como luego de que el primer volumen me dejara ese sin sabor de que la historia iba a la baja pero en este segundo tomo solo va subiendo sin parar de como nos muestra que todo lo sucedido en el primero tiene su gran importancia.
April 3, 2018
Violent, nihilistic crap.
May 25, 2018
4.5 really
June 16, 2020
Amazing read!!! Remender is one of my favorite writers in this medium. The artwork is simply incredible too!!!
August 20, 2020
Hey, even better than the first volume, which was a fun idea.
March 14, 2021
This volume focuses more on Grant over the rest of the team, but it continues with the amazing scenery and has some awesome plot developments.
March 23, 2021
17-21, Godworld, ☆☆☆☆☆
22-25, True Atonement, ☆☆☆☆☆
26-30, Forbidden Realms & Hidden Truths, ☆☆☆☆☆
22-25, True Atonement, ☆☆☆☆☆
26-30, Forbidden Realms & Hidden Truths, ☆☆☆☆☆
March 26, 2021
Re-read. Gets better each time.
August 3, 2024
Por momentos es muy random todo.
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