Irwin Allen’s LOST IN SPACE - THE LOST ADVENTURES

Publishers: American Gothic Press

Original Teleplay: Carey Wilber

Adapted and Edited for Comics by: Holly Interlandi

Artist: Kostas Pantoulas

Lost in Space is back in comic book form. This time though, instead of original stories, this series adapts two written, but never filmed teleplays by Carey Wilber (who also wrote Star Trek’s ‘Space Seed’.) The first page of issue one is a nice little piece on Wilber and how AGP come to get the rights to these stories.

The second page is the first page of Wilber’s script to set up the issue.

Both of these are really nice touches.

Holly Interlandi has a nice note at the end of the issue, and she adapted Wilber’s script for the comic. I have no idea how much she added or if she did a straight adaptation, so my comments here will concern myself strictly with what is in the issue.

The best things is, this is without a doubt Lost in Space. The story has the LIS feel and style, and the characters are the ones we know and love. All the elements of a classics LIS episode are here, except for Doctor Smith in this first issue, and the ladies.

We have adventure, something mysterious going on and the ever present feeling of What The @#$*? that permeated each episode. Don’t forget the cliff hanger ending that led into each commercial.

This issue does a really good job of capturing the elements of a LIS episodes, even with the pacing and sudden jumps in story LIS was known for. It feels like the first act of a television episode going into the commercial.

Of course, all this should be a given because it is adapted from script written for the show. But that means nothing. How often do adaptations feel nothing like what they are based on? Ms. Interlandi did an excellent job.

The art is the weak point of this title. Pantoulas’s art isn’t bad, just uneven and weak at points and not as strong as it should be. Especially not for a licensed title where the characters have to look like the actors who portrayed them.

For the most part John Robinson looks like Guy Williams, Will like Billy Mummy. That isn’t the issue. Too often the characters look awkward, they are too stiff, a head or limb doesn’t look right. Anatomical, things look off a little too much.

Sometimes the art looks a little too rushed. Hopefully the second issue will show improvement.

This is Lost in Space and I will be getting the rest of the series.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
I think any Lost in Space fans need to hunt this down. It is a good read for Die Hards (like me) and for casual fans.

For new fans unfamiliar with Lost in Space, it might be a tougher sell. Since this is adapted from unproduced scripts, it is written with the mindset that people know these characters and the universe they inhabited.

RATING: 6.5

Burning Mind Review: Deus Ex Universe - Children’s Crusade

Publisher: Titan Comics

Writer: Alex Irvine

Artist: John Aggs

I normally don’t pick up comics based on Video Games. Usually because they aren’t very good. Many being nothing more than promotional material to sell the video game.

I normally don’t pick up comics based on any property I don’t like.

I have played Deus Ex Universe games, and liked them. So this is an exception to the rule.

That fact that Titan Comics is the publisher is also a plus, I have a lot of love for Titan.

Children’s Crusade is an exception in another way as well: the first two issues are actually good.

This is a universe separated. They are normal humans, then there are the Augs, who are augmented humans. The Augs are subjugated and stuck in ghettos, becoming terrorists to fight for equal rights.

Children’s Crusade tells the story of Jensen. An Aug considered a traitor because he has joined Task Force 29 (TK29), and Interpol special group put together to track down Aug terrorists. He was placed on the team, undercover, by the Juggernaut Collective, to learn if TF29 is controlled by the Illuminati or not.

His mission is difficult because he has to fit in, and deal with one teammate who doesn’t trust him, and maybe others who trust him to his face only. His mission become harder when he learn that his own people, the Augs, are turning children in bombs.

The writing is very strong, good story, good plot, threads of sub-plots and strong characterization.

The artwork is equally on par with the script, being a great compliment.

Issue two is better than issue one and moves the story forward. A good sign for the next three issues of the series.

Here is to hoping that this will be a self-contained series and doesn’t end with a ‘play the game to learn the rest of the story,’ tag.

This is one solid sci-fi comic that happens to take place in the universe of the Deus Ex games. You could remove the Deus Ex from this story and it would still be solid.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
So far, damn good. Fans of the game should love it.

In fact, it should be a good read for fans unfamiliar with the game. There is enough info and backstory given that one could enjoy this book without playing or know the games. So far.

RATING: 6.75

DOCTOR WHO - New Adventures With The FOURTH DOCTOR

Publisher: Titan Comics

Writers: Gordon Rennie & Emma Beeby

Artist: Brian Williamson

Gaze of the Medusa

Part 1

Blind Servants. Cyclopes. Lady Emily Carstairs. A Victorian Era Want-to-be Time Traveler and daughter.

They are all the beginning of a new story starring Sarah Jayne! Oh and some guy who looks like Tom Baker . . . :-D

And what a beginning it is. It is part mystery, part adventure and includes a Victorian Era Professor who tries to explain time travel to the Doctor and a statue of what might actually be Sarah Jayne turned to stone.

This first issue feels old school, like the Fourth Doctor himself with his jellybeans. It feels like the first part of a four part Doctor Who adventure, like the original series use to do.

The best part is it feels like the Fourth Doctor. Tom Baker’s portrayal of the Doctor comes full force in the characterization in this issue.

Gaze of the Medusa Part 1 is a really good first start for the Fourth Doctor’s return to comics. Strong script, good story, proper characterization and excellent art make this a winner.

FINAL THOUGHT
Who fans rejoice.

RATING: 7