Published by Mad Cave Studios, Becstar #1 is written by Joe Corallo, with art by Lorenzo Colangeli and letters by Joamette Gil. Cover art is by Sweeny Boo. Becstar is edited by Chris Fernandez and book design is by Miguel Angel Zapata.
The issue is available now in print and on digital where all good comics are sold. Grab your digital copy from Comixology right here.
Synopsis
Becstar is a star hopping mercenary-gone-full time-gambler light years away from Earth. Leaving her old life behind with the help of her magical luck dagger and her fan-turned-regret filled-friend Sally Soolin, Becstar ekes out a living under the nefarious Shadow Syndicate’s radar. But when a mysterious girl appears with grim news and an urgent quest where the fate of the universe hangs in the balance, Becstar has no choice but to join… and regret it immediately.
Review
Launching a sci-fi story can be as simple as setting it on another world. Launching a successful sci-fi story with nuanced characters and complex plotting takes skill.
With Becstar #1, writer Joe Corallo has setup a rich and textured landscape which is easily filled with equally complex characters. Rather than the enjoyable science fiction fluff which often chokes the genre, Becstar takes all of the action-adventure and injects it with a serious dose of heart and personality.
Corallo has all of the plot devices perfectly under control from the outset. We open cold in the middle of an action sequel, as all good sci-fi should. The scene succinctly sets the tone for the book. It quickly communicates the level of gore and violence and cements all expectations within the first page. Over the next four pages Corallo sets up a mystery which easily carries the story through the rest of the book.
Like all good action heroes, we don’t meet the titular character until page six. Of course, when we do meet Becstar she’s drinking and gambling… Han Solo eat your heart out. Again it takes very little time for Corallo to communicate to the reader who Becstar is, what she stands for and how she conducts her business.
We’re also introduced to Sally, Bec’s right hand and most likely her chaperone. Again it takes Corallo little time to let us know who Sally is and where she fits in to the story. The pieces all fall in to place delightfully and are a real restatement to the quality of writing.
An opening issue has so many jobs to do in terms of introducing the world and hooking the reader. Becstar #1 ticks all the boxes and certainly leaves the reader grasping for issue #2.
Lorenzo Colangeli’s artwork is a beautiful companion to the story. It lands squarely between dramatic and cartoonish. Able to land dramatic and violent moments with the required punch, whilst injecting a healthy dose of colour and life in to the rest. Character designs are vibrant and environments are immersive and well populated. Often sci-if comics feel cold and empty with cityscapes which look sprawling but are utterly devoid of life. As Becstar and Sally exit the casino the streets are jam-packed with people and it feels truly lively.
Verdict
Becstar #1 ticks all the boxes in launching an epic new sci-fi series.
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