In a nutshell, Starship Down #1 is a solid beginning to what seems to be a fascinating sci-fi thriller. Think The DaVinci Code meets Alien vs. Predator, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of the tone. At the center of it all is Dr. Jocelyn Young, a cultural anthropologist who’s roped in by US Naval Intelligence to study what looks to be a vessel of extraterrestrial origin. Also along for the ride are the Russians and the Vatican. Can all of these diverging interests align, or will they fray any mutual connections?

Justin Giampaoli’s first issue hits all of the right notes, from the opening exposition to the startling revelation at the issue’s end. There is a sense of urgency to the proceedings, with each side expressing a vested interest in the discovery of the titular starship. The discovery of the ship and its contents may actually challenge mankind’s understanding of its own history and origin. This point actually quite nicely illustrates why #StoriesMatter: Stories are the most human invention, giving us the ability to tell truths through fiction, and allowing us to explore the mundane through the fantastical. Not that there’s anything mundane about a spaceship in Siberia…

Kudos should also be afforded to the rest of the team. The artwork by Andrea Mutti is quite wonderful. It has the polish of a big-budget, sci-fi movie, and the characters are unique and distinctive. Mutti’s linework is complemented nicely by Vladimir Popov’s colors. Popov really captures the harsh beauty of the Siberian wilderness in all its snowy and icy glory. Sal Cirpriano’s lettering keeps the proceedings easy to follow, even in the talk-y sections.

Overall, this is a great beginning, and I can’t wait to see where the story will take us next.

Creative Team: Justin Giampaoli (writer), Andrea Mutti (artist), Vladimir Popov (colorist), Sal Cipriano (letterer)
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
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