TALES FROM THE DEAD ASTRONAUT #3, from Source Point Press on February 9th, 2022, follows the (not so) dead astronaut’s alien encounter along with three tales of regret, hope, and loss.
The Details
- Written By: Jonathan Thompson
- Art By: Jorge Luis Gabotto
- Colors By: Jorge Luis Gabotto
- Letters By: Jorge Luis Gabotto
- Cover Art By: Jorge Luis Gabotto
- Cover Price: $2.99 (digital)
- Release Date: February 9, 2022
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Was It Good?
TALES FROM THE DEAD ASTRONAUT #3 is a good comic. Tales From the Dead Astronaut is a good arc. However, Tales From The Dead Astronaut is increasingly proving to be the kind of story where it makes sense to wait for the trade because it lacks a basic ingredient. The stories lack natural breakpoints.
When a story lacks natural breakpoints, they don’t flow well into the format of a monthly comic where the reader comes to the last page and then pauses for 30 days for the next issue to come out. That monthly format works when each issue reads like a full chapter with a complete beginning, middle, and end. Here, there is no logical conclusion to each story and you feel like you’re picking up the narrative in the middle of a scene as if you paused a movie for a bathroom break. The wait, in between issues, is what hurts this comic. Not for lack of patience or a desire for instant gratification, but because the waits interrupt the story like a stutter that doesn’t make sense.
Criticism over the format aside, this is still a heady, thought-provoking, emotionally fascinating collection. As each story progresses, Thompson imbues each story with a new facet of the human experience to explore. To say this issue is full of symbolism and subtext would be selling is short. To be fair, sometimes the subtext is a little too subtle and you have to turn your brain a little bit sideways to make sure you understand Thompson’s point in each story. However, the is a point on every page and you feel a little bit richer for having found it.
Gabotto’s art is, again, excellent in this issue. While the lines are not as sharp and the colors are not as pristine as a typical Marvel/DC floppy, there’s a pinpoint focus on expressing an emotional beat in every panel. The art here is an example of why getting the focus right matters more than the technical execution.
In all, this is another outstanding addition to the overall series, but again, the reading experience is harmed by the unnatural breaks. Buy it, but you’re better served binging the issues.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
If you’re lost about what’s happening (and you will be if you pick this issue up cold), first read our TALES FROM THE DEAD ASTRONAUT #2 review.
The Astronaut
Seemingly returned from the dead, the astronaut tries to escape the aliens who gave his body new life. Lost on an alien ship and outnumbered by swarms of aliens, the astronaut is forced to make a choice – embrace his new life or return to the void.
So far, the astronaut’s journey hasn’t had much meat to it other than to act as a witness to the other stories. This chapter gives him more to do and layers mountains of subtext about the choices we make to live as we choose.
The Star
The star’s former bandmate speaks at his funeral. To cap off his paying of respects, he sings the songs of his youth and discovers what had been lost within him for too long.
There are bits and pieces in The Star that can be interpreted in a myriad of ways. You could pick up on the healing power of music or the rejuvenation of following your heart’s desire. The meaning is just vague enough to allow those interpretations and many more.
The Monk
The resurrected leader of the Floating Tree to plant seeds on the wastelands of their latest planet. When he encounters the locals, he finds he can receive as much as he gives when he makes connections with others.
This story is the only one in the issue that’s wordless, relying completely on the art to tell the story. The choice to go wordless may or may not be a success depending on your point of view because the meaning of the exchange between the monk and the locals is vague almost to the point of confusing.
The Princess
Lily Dain and her brother, Alexander, face each other in deadly mech combat on the battlefield. Both fight with every weapon and shield at their disposal, but human weakness is deadlier than a chink in any armor.
This story is more straightforward than the rest and the most action-packed. That said, the traditional sci-fi action doesn’t relegate the deeper meaning of sibling rivalry and the conflicting beliefs about power, strength, and the greater good.
Final Thoughts
TALES FROM THE DEAD ASTRONAUT #3 is another stellar (pun intended) entry in the series. Each scene paints a picture of realization for the characters where they need to move on and grow through decisions and choices that force them to confront their past or face their future. The art is”artsy” but that’s part of the issue’s charms, and what the art lacks in technical flashiness, it excels in nailing the emotional beat of every moment.
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