Outer Darkness #1

Outer Darkness #1

by John Layman, Afu Chan (Artist)

Sci-fi and horror collide in this new series from the co-creator of CHEW! Mankind has colonized the galaxy, but during our interstellar travels, we discovered a terrifying secret out in the Outer Darkness of space. Join Captain Joshua Rigg and the crew of the starship Charon as they encounter demonic possessions, hauntings, cosmic horror, and more! All-star writer JOHN LAYMAN (CHEW) and artist AFU CHAN (Immortal Iron Fists) are ready to let you know that outer space is terrifying.

Genres: Comics, Horror, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics

29 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 7, 2018

About the author

John Steele Layman is an American comic book writer and letterer. Layman is most known for writing Chew, published by Image Comics.

Reviews

[Samantha Beard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard Sci-fi and horror, and I was sold! Issue #1 did not disappoint. I was so excited by the complexity of the world already presented in the first few pages. There are God-engines, space ghosts, lots of intensity from the primary character, and I am on board for a deep space adventure with this series.

[McKay Wadsworth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Outer Darkness is a sci-fi horror. I am giving this review based on the fact that I have only read the first issue and discovered very quickly that it wasn't a good fit for me. However, that being said, I can see this being a perfect fit for many. Upon my reading, I found it to be a very dark and gritty Star Trek horror. It's very unique in this aspect, but this is where I found in lacking in my taste.

I didn't mind the fact that ship and universe is centered around demonic monsters and hellish a aura that is immersed in the story. For me though, I found the language a bit strong. This is definably not something you want your kids reading. I found the characters distasteful, and just not very welcoming or relatable. Mostly written to be jerks or selfish oriented backgrounds that I couldn't get behind with their characters.

I know a lot of people would really like this series, but for me and my specific tastes, I didn't enjoy it. So I'm not swearing it off completely for others to read, I just personally won't be investing the rest of my time in the story due to the issues I previously stated. Check it out if you are interested!

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dude I have to get my hands on this trade. It’s like Star Trek but with ghosts and demons!? We have huge egos and a dangerous mission, count me in! I loved the style. I loved the dialogue. I loved it all! I need more!

[SOTERO RIVERA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing series

I love this series. Anything with demons in it is awesome. I hope they add exorcist priests with lots of holy water. It's sad that most people nowadays don't believe in this stuff.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really dark & gruesome, so of course I loved it.

[Minahel · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far, good artwork, meh writing.

[YTdoomslayer5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It a pretty good SciFi comic book.

[DOUGLAS J BERRY · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sort of edgy star trek.

Good color artwork, freebie. A tale of a multiracial empire facing a New threat. Needs more material,starting to feel like chapters

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Layman writing, I think this story has real potential. I'm not sure if the art is working for me totally, but I suspect it'll grow on me if the story works the way I hope it will. I was a little disappointed by the introduction of Rigg. I think the renegade, misunderstood, mutiny-prone officer is a bit cliché, but it gets the point across.

The thing that took this over the top for me, was the uses of the occult and the concept of the god engine. I think that's some really interesting stuff there and definitely opens up the story to some rather intense beats going forward. I like that Layman specifically calls out that he intends on this to be a sci-fi horror, which I'm definitely ready for.

[Stergios · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a Star trek kind of story, starting with a captain that falls in dismay but is offered a new ship and a second chance. Layman writes stories with fluent dialogue that are very easy to read. The art is fitting. What I didn't especially like was the twist with the god-engine. Strange mix of themes. Will continue...

[RG · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to Laymans new series. The plot is a little cliched, espcially the protagonist backstory. I do love spaceship based stories so I think this has plenty of potential. Th artwork looked a little cheesy but im hoping this will grow on me.

[Kyra Bea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely promising first issue. It starts with a lot of the imagery and tropes of big space shows like Star Trek and immediately asserts it's weirdness with the paranormal. I'm all in for some scifi/horror/fantasy!

[Flow Chi Minh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Takes sci fi and horror and mixes it up with themes of religion and loss and finishes the first issue w passing results. I am definitely perked to see what comes next and especially love a cast of many colors without emphasis on it. Let's see what comes next.

[Chris Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange. But somehow I like it.

[Arjun Rajkumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a trekkie this is gold 👍🏻looking forward to the next issue

[Faye Fite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great world-building, super fun art/colors. I'm absolutely going to be reading the rest of these.

Lots of language, just FYI to anyone who may be sensitive to that.

[Alyx · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting premise executed with a beautiful art style. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5