Space is a cold and lonely place, but even the harshest environments can hold secret love for those who seek it. Uncover the deep, hidden desires of the cruisers of the space lanes, and what makes their hearts go thump-thump-thump in MYSTERIES OF LOVE IN SPACE #1 from DC COMICS!

MYSTERIES OF LOVE IN SPACE #1

Writer: James Tynion IV, Kyle Higgins, Saladin Ahmed, Cecil Castellucci, Aaron Gillespie, Andrea Shea, Jeff Loveness, Gardner Fox
Artist: Jesus Merino, Cian Tormey, Max Dunbar, Elena Casagrande, Max Raynon, Amancay Nahuelpan,
Colors: Romulo Fajardo Jr., John Kalisz, Paul Mounts, Jordie Bellaire, Hi-Fi, Trish Mylvihill, Adriano Lucas, Bernard Sachs
Letters: Clayton Cowles, Dave Sharpe, Steve Wands, Tom Napolitano,
Cover: Joëlle Jones
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: January 30th, 2019
Cover Price: $9.99

Previously in MYSTERIES OF LOVE IN SPACE: Mysteries of Love In Space is an anthology (YAY!) of tales which take a page from DC Comic’s history of science fiction and romance-themed comics from before the direct market existed. Like many of the recent DC anthologies, they take a theme, add a spin, and let their creators loose to design a story that has all the elements of the title. Last year it was Young Monsters In Love, featuring… well, monsters in love. This year we have a science fiction elements with a romance tilt to the stories. The creators are from the biggest comic writers and prose novelists out there, and they all get to have their little slice of the heart-shaped pie.

IN SPACE, NO ONE CAN HEAR YOUR HEARTBREAK

Mysteries of Love In Space is an anthology (YAY!) of tales which take a page from DC Comic’s history of science fiction and romance-themed comics from before the direct market existed. Like many of the recent DC anthologies, they take the theme, add a spin, and let their creators loose to design a story that has all the elements of the title. Last year it was Young Monsters In Love, featuring… well, monsters in love. This year we have a mix of science fiction elements with a romance tilt to the stories. The creators are from the biggest comic writers and prose novelists out there, and they all get to have their little slice of the heart-shaped pie.

As usual, with an anthology, it is difficult to cover all the stories individually, so I have once again chosen my favorite three to talk about.

On the far, dark planet of Apokolips, love is a foreign concept. Darkseid does not permit love, only fear, and obedience. When that emotion, so strange to the dwellers of a veritable hell in space, rears its head it is special. Saraqel found that special feeling with Markus, the leader of her squad of rebellious Lowlies. He inspired her to action against Darkseid, and him for whom she fights. But after a mission goes wrong, she finds herself a prisoner of Granny Goodness, strapped to the Penitence Engine, her fellow Lowlies providing food for Granny’s Demon Dogs. But she is alive, and the fact she is alive means Granny has use of her. Could that use be to find Markus, who seemingly escaped the attack, or is it a darker purpose. Writer James Tynion IV (Batman Eternal, Detective Comics) and artist Jesus Merino (Superman, Trinity) take us into the loving arms of Granny Goodness with a tale of love, hope, and defiance, in “An Apokoliptian Love Story.:

In a backplanet dive in the far reaches of space, a man sits alone, reveling in the love he has found. Or would be, except this man is Bizarro, and backward syntax tells a confusing/clear story of love found and love lost, as told to the patrons of the Dead Sun Saloon. Hearing a distress signal from the planet Munchly-3, Bizarro flies in to ignore/help them in their time of plenty/need. He quickly discovers the situation is something even his weak/mighty powers cannot handle alone. He rescued from a fiery pit by the super-powered female Grotesqua, and finds his life changed. After saving the planet (possibly a new one for Bizarro) they admit their attraction/distaste for one another. Can this love/hate find a place in a universe as big as ours, or are they doomed to happiness/sadness? “Backward Hearts” is by writer Saladin Ahmed (Black Bolt, Abbot) and artist Max Dunbar (Micronauts, First Strike). Is this Ahmed’s first DC work? I think so, but correct me if I am wrong.

In “GPS I Love You” by Aaron Gillespie (The Bionic Man, New Challengers) and Max Raynor (Sideways, Harley Quinn) finds Space Cabbie on the horns of a dilemma. His boss has taken the initiative to upgrade his cab, and in the process install a new Artificial Intelligence. Directional Assistance, also known as A.I.D.A. Will Space Cabbie rebel against this new relationship he finds forced upon him, or is it possible for a man and A.I. to find love in a universe which just doesn’t understand? Oh, by the way, there is an appearance by a bounty hunter on a sweet looking space-cycle, charged with breaking up the romantic tension.

I LOVED HIM WITH BOTH MY HEARTS

As I said, these are my favorite three in the book, but you might like one of the others. Maybe the Green Lantern/Kilowog focused “Old Scars, Fresh Wounds” from Kyle Higgins (Batman Beyond 2.0, Batman Eternal) and Cian Tormey (Northguard) will interest you? Then there is Hawkgirl and her adjusting to her new situation in “Galentine’s Day” by Cecil Castellucci (Shade, The Changing Girl, Shade, The Changing Woman) and Elena Casagrande (Suicide Risk, Angel). Or what about the Teen Titans’ Crush as she finds a soul mate in a female alien pit fighter in “Crushed” from Andrea Shea (Harley Quinn, Action Comics) and Amancay Nahuelpan (Clandestino, Boy-1)? Lois Lane writes a very special Valentines letter in “Glasses” from Jeff Loveness (Nova, Groot) and Tom Grummett (Superboy, Adventures of Superman). Finally, we have a blast from the past as we are treated to a reprint from days gone by with “The Planet Pendulum” from the Gardner Fox (Detective Comics, Action Comics) and Mike Sekowsky (Justice League of America, Wonder Woman) era of Adam Strange.

And one more thing, that cover by Joëlle Jones (Batman, Catwoman) is a masterpiece by itself! Captures the feel of the old school romance titles perfectly!

BOTTOM LINE: SURPRISING AND ENJOYABLE, A BOOK TO LOVE

I believe that the anthology format DC Comics uses, despite the higher than average price-point, is a solid one and I hope continues. You get access to lots of stories that would not fit within the normal confines of a monthly series or are not long enough to justify a limited series. Sometimes they seem to set the stage for up upcoming stories, and sometimes they are just because the creators love that character. Either way, it is worth the effort and full of entertainment.

MYSTERIES OF LOVE IN SPACE #1 continues DC’s effort to bring us short stories in an anthology format, all based on a theme with a twist. I love it, and I think you would too. Make sure you pull a copy for your Valentine today.

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