- Writer: Sarah Gailey
- Artist: Liana Kangas
- Colorist: Rebecca Nalty
- Letterer: Cardinal Rae
- Logo Designer: Becca Carey
- Designer: Nancy Mojica
- Assistant Editor: Maya Bollinger
- Editor: Elizabeth Brei
Thanks to Liana Kangas and BOOM! Studios for the review copy!
Know Your Station feels like a classic noir mystery with a science fiction skin. The story is set on the First Resort, one of those futuristic ships designed to save mankind from whatever havoc we have wreaked upon Earth. The opening of the book walks us through a new shipmember’s orientation, which is a great way to introduce us to the story. We then meet the protagonist of the story, Elise, the station security agent who fills the ‘gritty detective’ role.
From Elise’s first appearance, hints are dropped about the book’s mystery. The story takes an interesting approach, having Elise talk about an incident without giving too much detail. Many books are structured such that the protagonist is learning most things along with the reader. Here, the dialogue makes it clear that Elise knows more than the reader and the dialogue is crafted in such a way that withholds details without feeling like it is artificially doing so. Somehow, this approach made me even more interested in figuring out what is going on. The way the dialogue is handled does a nice job of setting the reader up for a curveball thrown in the last third of the issue.
Elise is a great imperfect hero and the conversations they have with their computer assistant Brigid are a highlight of the issue. Another highlight is the art, which manages to combine a throwback aesthetic with a futuristic setting. I really enjoyed the panel’s background, ‘set design,’ and detail work. There are also some fairly grisly scenes drawn perfectly to get the point across without being too gross or unsettling (I still recommend parental discretion. In addition to the bloody panels, there is a fair amount of cursing).
Know Your Station does a great job of introducing an interesting flawed protagonist and mystery. Unlike a high concept science fiction story, it functions more like a good mystery with a science fiction skin (which provides an opportunity to create some fun visuals). I think the dialogue and mystery drive the first issue, but science fiction fans will likely want to check it out as well. Be warned: the ending will likely make you want to grab the next issue.
Know Your Station #1 is set for release on December 7th, 2022.
Check out our brief chat with Liana Kangas at Thought Bubble 2022 here:
Are you going pick up the comic? Feel free to leave a comment below or chat with us on Twitter at @TheConCollectve!
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