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Outer Darkness #1-6
Outer Darkness, Vol. 1: Each Other's Throats
Sci-fi and horror collide in this new series from the creator of CHEW!
Mankind has colonized the galaxy, but during our interstellar travels, we've discovered a terrifying secret out in the Outer Darkness of space. Join Captain Joshua Rigg and the crew of the starship Charon as they encounter demonic possessions, hauntings, cosmic horror and more!
All-star writer JOHN LAYMAN (Chew) and artist AFU CHAN (Immortal Iron Fists) are ready to let you know that outer space is terrifying.
Collects OUTER DARKNESS #1-6.
Mankind has colonized the galaxy, but during our interstellar travels, we've discovered a terrifying secret out in the Outer Darkness of space. Join Captain Joshua Rigg and the crew of the starship Charon as they encounter demonic possessions, hauntings, cosmic horror and more!
All-star writer JOHN LAYMAN (Chew) and artist AFU CHAN (Immortal Iron Fists) are ready to let you know that outer space is terrifying.
Collects OUTER DARKNESS #1-6.
152 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2019
10 people are currently reading
575 people want to read
About the author
John Layman
806Ìýbooks581ÌýfollowersJohn Steele Layman is an American comic book writer and letterer. Layman is most known for writing Chew, published by Image Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
June 12, 2019
R-rated Star Trek with modern storytelling sensibility and some creepy occult horror mythology mixed in, pretty much. Layman’s story is solid, the crew relationships are tense and very entertaining to follow, and Afu Chan’s artwork is just delightful. A very good start to a new ongoing series with a lot of potential to become even better down the line.
December 27, 2020
It's supernatural Star Trek with a ship crewed by humans and aliens who would be quite comfortable in Trek's Mirror Universe what with all the betrayal and murder. Since everyone is a villain it took me a while to get into the groove of this dark mishmash of sci fi, fantasy and horror, but I'm interested in seeing how things unfold next volume, which I luckily have on hand.
I have to say that while the character art is fine, the artwork and designs of the spaceships are ugly, well outside the artist's comfort zone or capabilities.
I have to say that while the character art is fine, the artwork and designs of the spaceships are ugly, well outside the artist's comfort zone or capabilities.
January 4, 2020
Outer Darkness is like taking Star Trek, Aliens, and a bunch of insane backstabbing characters, and mix it all together with a lot of humor. The results? Pretty freaking great.
This is my first Layman book and I have to say, it was really enjoyable. Over the top for sure with a crew of crazy fucks on a mission to retrieve something. Our main hero is not a likable captain but he won't fail his mission. The crew is absurd, with so many clashing personalities you have to wonder how they survive past day 1. Together they must go forward in their quest but when they crash land, things start going wrong fast.
A bloody, humorous, crazy balls to the wall action sci-fi, adventure. I really was taken by surprise of how fucked up and gory some deaths here were. But also the pacing is near perfect with plenty of great action moments and laugh out loud moments. It did take me a bit to get used to the flow and characters so the first two issues were jarring but once I did, pure delight. A 4 out of 5.
This is my first Layman book and I have to say, it was really enjoyable. Over the top for sure with a crew of crazy fucks on a mission to retrieve something. Our main hero is not a likable captain but he won't fail his mission. The crew is absurd, with so many clashing personalities you have to wonder how they survive past day 1. Together they must go forward in their quest but when they crash land, things start going wrong fast.
A bloody, humorous, crazy balls to the wall action sci-fi, adventure. I really was taken by surprise of how fucked up and gory some deaths here were. But also the pacing is near perfect with plenty of great action moments and laugh out loud moments. It did take me a bit to get used to the flow and characters so the first two issues were jarring but once I did, pure delight. A 4 out of 5.
September 16, 2019
This is Star Trek meets occult horror. The usual starship captain and senior officers are accompanied by a cadre of exorcists and a crew of spellcasting mathematicians, traveling through a universe full of malevolent spirits and bloodthirsty demons.
This setup feels pretty fresh, loosely evoking stories like cult favorite Event Horizon. It’s also supported by an almost cartoon art style that, while not an obvious fit for the tone, adds a lot of character to the world.
As much as I like the concept, I’m struggling to really enjoy the book. The dialog is kind of flat, with a smattering of expletives substituting for nuance or gravitas. Promising concepts, like the ship’s team of exorcists, are name-dropped frequently but feel fairly wooden in execution. Conflicts are resolved in an almost checklist fashion, light on tension or excitement.
The deal breaker though, for me, is that it abandons the philosophical curiosity of its Star Trek roots to go all-in on wholesale, adolescent grimdark. There is not much to ponder here, no great dilemmas, and no compelling personal stories to get attached to. All of this book's characters are jerks, with little else to make them stand out emotionally, none of whom really seem to care about anything. The monsters they face aren’t given much depth either, leaving the story to stand on a kind of shock horror that feels a bit unearned.
What I really want for this book is anyone to root for, or care about, or at least a compelling threat to kill off this bridge full of insufferable ***holes.
This setup feels pretty fresh, loosely evoking stories like cult favorite Event Horizon. It’s also supported by an almost cartoon art style that, while not an obvious fit for the tone, adds a lot of character to the world.
As much as I like the concept, I’m struggling to really enjoy the book. The dialog is kind of flat, with a smattering of expletives substituting for nuance or gravitas. Promising concepts, like the ship’s team of exorcists, are name-dropped frequently but feel fairly wooden in execution. Conflicts are resolved in an almost checklist fashion, light on tension or excitement.
The deal breaker though, for me, is that it abandons the philosophical curiosity of its Star Trek roots to go all-in on wholesale, adolescent grimdark. There is not much to ponder here, no great dilemmas, and no compelling personal stories to get attached to. All of this book's characters are jerks, with little else to make them stand out emotionally, none of whom really seem to care about anything. The monsters they face aren’t given much depth either, leaving the story to stand on a kind of shock horror that feels a bit unearned.
What I really want for this book is anyone to root for, or care about, or at least a compelling threat to kill off this bridge full of insufferable ***holes.
September 13, 2019
3.5 Stars
This an entertaining science fiction graphic novel that brought in elements of fantasy and horror. I particularly loved the horror aspects like the inclusion of ship exorcists. The story was very weird and a bit hard to follow at times. I should probably reread this one before continuing on with the series to make sure that I understand everything. I think this series has a lot of potential to become great. The premise just feltÌýso fun and unique.
This an entertaining science fiction graphic novel that brought in elements of fantasy and horror. I particularly loved the horror aspects like the inclusion of ship exorcists. The story was very weird and a bit hard to follow at times. I should probably reread this one before continuing on with the series to make sure that I understand everything. I think this series has a lot of potential to become great. The premise just feltÌýso fun and unique.
October 26, 2024
Outer darkness: at first it looks like Star Trek, but as a horror comic they have to figure out how to fight demons on a regular basis.
A crew of mutinied cargo jockeys is hired to retrieve asteroids from the outer dark... Also, it turns out ships engine is run by a demon who they feed people to.
3/5 color me interested.
A crew of mutinied cargo jockeys is hired to retrieve asteroids from the outer dark... Also, it turns out ships engine is run by a demon who they feed people to.
3/5 color me interested.
November 10, 2019
This is a really interesting concept, a science fiction horror mashup that includes heavy religious themes as well as ghosts, demons and gods. It gets pretty grim at times but coming from the John Layman, the guy who wrote Chew, it also has a weird sense of humour to keep things from going too dark.
The main character is a massive hateable jerk. I think it's deliberate, but it's always a risky move because there's a chance you'll turn off the reader. The story itself is interesting enough to keep me from being too bothered by it, but without some character development he'll get pretty tiresome.
The art I found to be a bit hit and miss. There are times where I really enjoyed the demons and monsters but other times where I found it was a bit rushed.
The main character is a massive hateable jerk. I think it's deliberate, but it's always a risky move because there's a chance you'll turn off the reader. The story itself is interesting enough to keep me from being too bothered by it, but without some character development he'll get pretty tiresome.
The art I found to be a bit hit and miss. There are times where I really enjoyed the demons and monsters but other times where I found it was a bit rushed.
April 14, 2020
Imagine Star Trek if scripted by the writers of The X-Files, Fringe, and/or The Twilight Zone. Couple that with serio-comic art that fits the grim and goofy blend of this book, and you will know the short take on OUTER DARKNESS.
There’s much more to explore, of course. I liked this so much I gave it a second read, and obtained an even greater appreciation for its merits. John Layman is a writer worth following, at least everything he’s written since CHEW.
Just as the television adventures of the Starship Enterprise created magic through the rich characterization of the crew members, what makes OUTER DARKNESS hum is the equally engaging characters that make up the good ship Charon’s staff.
Captain Joshua Riggs was lucky to land this assignment, as he’s been bounced around from job to job due to both his insubordination as well as a reckless habit of ignoring the rules of spacefaring etiquette. The giant Agwe seems to shadow Riggs and now serves as Captain’s Advisor, mainly for sarcastically stating the obvious. Service Administrator Soreena Prakash is constantly reminding Riggs of protocol and is skeptical of his leadership abilities.
The ship is operated by a god-engine, a Sumerian demon that requires souls for fuel (“war criminals, assorted scum�). Ghosts pop up in ship corridors from time to time. The remaining crew is comprised of a mix of human and alien races. Alastor Satalis is First Officer, and immediately resents the loss of command upon Rigg’s arrival.
Charon is sent on its� first mission under Riggs to rescue and retrieve someone the Galactic Service High Command deems invaluable, yet whose identity is classified and known one to Prakash. The mission will require the ship to travel beyond the war zone and into the “outer darkness�. Due to the unknown nature of various supernatural threats they anticipate encountering, the ship is also staffed with a compliment of exorcists and wizards plus an oracle who apparently doesn’t have a clue.
Volume One ends without the Charon reaching it’s destination due to several detours, conflicts of interest among the administration, and several threats as demons are released and a few staff members are engaged in sabotage beyond those who are contemplating mutiny.
The descriptions may sound ominous, but Layman and Chan manage to straddle the line between horror and humor with amusing situations, entertaining dialogue and light-hearted bloodshed.
There’s much more to explore, of course. I liked this so much I gave it a second read, and obtained an even greater appreciation for its merits. John Layman is a writer worth following, at least everything he’s written since CHEW.
Just as the television adventures of the Starship Enterprise created magic through the rich characterization of the crew members, what makes OUTER DARKNESS hum is the equally engaging characters that make up the good ship Charon’s staff.
Captain Joshua Riggs was lucky to land this assignment, as he’s been bounced around from job to job due to both his insubordination as well as a reckless habit of ignoring the rules of spacefaring etiquette. The giant Agwe seems to shadow Riggs and now serves as Captain’s Advisor, mainly for sarcastically stating the obvious. Service Administrator Soreena Prakash is constantly reminding Riggs of protocol and is skeptical of his leadership abilities.
The ship is operated by a god-engine, a Sumerian demon that requires souls for fuel (“war criminals, assorted scum�). Ghosts pop up in ship corridors from time to time. The remaining crew is comprised of a mix of human and alien races. Alastor Satalis is First Officer, and immediately resents the loss of command upon Rigg’s arrival.
Charon is sent on its� first mission under Riggs to rescue and retrieve someone the Galactic Service High Command deems invaluable, yet whose identity is classified and known one to Prakash. The mission will require the ship to travel beyond the war zone and into the “outer darkness�. Due to the unknown nature of various supernatural threats they anticipate encountering, the ship is also staffed with a compliment of exorcists and wizards plus an oracle who apparently doesn’t have a clue.
Volume One ends without the Charon reaching it’s destination due to several detours, conflicts of interest among the administration, and several threats as demons are released and a few staff members are engaged in sabotage beyond those who are contemplating mutiny.
The descriptions may sound ominous, but Layman and Chan manage to straddle the line between horror and humor with amusing situations, entertaining dialogue and light-hearted bloodshed.
July 8, 2019
First volume in a new ongoing series published by image.
Written by John Layman (Chew)
Captain Joshua Riggs is to be brought up on charges of mutiny, and will likely spend the rest of his years in prison until the Admiral of the galactic service comes along with an interesting ultimatum. The Charon, a full commission, and the captain's chair. If only he will join back into the service and carry out one last mission. It is a simple soul retrieval mission in the farthest reaches of the Sagittarius quadrant, even further. Far into the Outer Darkness.
The Outer Darkness is where shit gets real. Demonic possessions can occur, hauntings and run ins with cosmic monsters, and whatever else the creative team can dream up. It's a fairly wild genre blend with sci-fi/horror, but hold the creepy-ass aliens at least for now this has more of an urban horror feel.
Afu Chan does a solid on the art. It is cartoon like in a way, but I don't see a lot of books with this look so I found it enjoyable.
The crew is unique from skill sets to varied personalities in the short time I've been in this story I already have been charmed by their ways and find them memorable.
If you're looking for something that is unique, lighthearted, and with a great cast I would pick this title up
Written by John Layman (Chew)
Captain Joshua Riggs is to be brought up on charges of mutiny, and will likely spend the rest of his years in prison until the Admiral of the galactic service comes along with an interesting ultimatum. The Charon, a full commission, and the captain's chair. If only he will join back into the service and carry out one last mission. It is a simple soul retrieval mission in the farthest reaches of the Sagittarius quadrant, even further. Far into the Outer Darkness.
The Outer Darkness is where shit gets real. Demonic possessions can occur, hauntings and run ins with cosmic monsters, and whatever else the creative team can dream up. It's a fairly wild genre blend with sci-fi/horror, but hold the creepy-ass aliens at least for now this has more of an urban horror feel.
Afu Chan does a solid on the art. It is cartoon like in a way, but I don't see a lot of books with this look so I found it enjoyable.
The crew is unique from skill sets to varied personalities in the short time I've been in this story I already have been charmed by their ways and find them memorable.
If you're looking for something that is unique, lighthearted, and with a great cast I would pick this title up
February 13, 2025
This was a 4.5 for me, ALMOST a 5! Can’t wait to jump right into vol. 2!!
May 28, 2019
Here’s a creepy idea that doesn’t get nearly enough play in science fiction: What if, when mankind finally reaches the stars and discovers what exists out in the deepest darkest areas of outer space, science discovers proof that the souls of the deceased are condemned to an eternity of floating aimlessly through the abyssal nothingness, slowly going mad from loneliness and terror? What if science proves that there is no God, no heaven, nor hell, nor any kind of afterlife that we know of, other than infinite nothingness?
Cheery thoughts, huh?
This horrifying premise is the foundation of John Layman and Afu Chan’s graphic novel series, “Outer Darkness�, a series that cleverly combines Star Trek, the “Hellraiser� movies, and H.P. Lovecraft’s cosmic horror.
The series follows the crew of the Charon, with its newly-commissioned captain, Joshua Rigg, as they embark upon a nine-month mission to the edges of the Sagittarius Quadrant and beyond, the uncharted area of space known as “the Outer Darkness�.
The crew is equipped with exorcists, mathematicians, and witches to ward off the demons and poltergeists that swim around in space. The engine is powered not by dilithium crystals but by an ancient trapped Sumerian god that needs to eat frequently on the souls of criminals.
Rigg is an abrasive, irreverent captain that likes to bend the rules, assuming he even follows them in the first place. The crew hates him (justifiably), but he easily reciprocates the feeling. He also has a secret agenda known only to a few other crew members.
As a premise, “Outer Darkness� is pretty cool. Unfortunately, as a graphic novel, it has issues. The main one is the lack of any truly sympathetic characters. I don’t normally have an issue with a story in which every character is an asshole, but I have to at least relate to or feel a connection with one of them. I don’t have that connection with any of them.
Rigg is an unlikable jerk. This wouldn’t be so bad if he also had some depth, and other than this big secret he’s carrying around (which we only get tiny clues about), there’s not much to his character. He’s a drunk. He’s angry. He doesn’t truly care about the lives of anyone else unless they are integral in helping to complete his mission. I get it already. I actually know people like Rigg. I don’t find much entertainment value in reading a story in which a guy like him is the protagonist.
There’s also an issue I have with the artwork, which may be petty, but it’s also annoying. Chan, the artist, is clearly adept at drawing and not without some talent. It is, however, hidden underneath a weirdly derivative style that is clearly heavily inspired by manga and Hanna-Barbera cartoons from the �70s, neither of which are styles that I like. Granted, I realize this is a very personal-taste kind of thing, so I’m just throwing it out there.
All the more disappointing is the fact that this series is the brainchild of Layman, whose graphic novel “Chew� is clever, funny, gross, weird, and I loved it. “Outer Darkness� may be clever, but it’s not very funny, and for a series that deals with some pretty heavy horror elements (and plenty of gore), it definitely lacks the necessary comedic relief to counterbalance all of that. Hell, even Grant Morrison’s epically dark and terrifying graphic mini-series “Nameless� still made me chuckle in places. (Although I have a sick sense of humor, so that may be why.) In any case, I didn’t love “Outer Darkness� , and I was really hoping to.
Cheery thoughts, huh?
This horrifying premise is the foundation of John Layman and Afu Chan’s graphic novel series, “Outer Darkness�, a series that cleverly combines Star Trek, the “Hellraiser� movies, and H.P. Lovecraft’s cosmic horror.
The series follows the crew of the Charon, with its newly-commissioned captain, Joshua Rigg, as they embark upon a nine-month mission to the edges of the Sagittarius Quadrant and beyond, the uncharted area of space known as “the Outer Darkness�.
The crew is equipped with exorcists, mathematicians, and witches to ward off the demons and poltergeists that swim around in space. The engine is powered not by dilithium crystals but by an ancient trapped Sumerian god that needs to eat frequently on the souls of criminals.
Rigg is an abrasive, irreverent captain that likes to bend the rules, assuming he even follows them in the first place. The crew hates him (justifiably), but he easily reciprocates the feeling. He also has a secret agenda known only to a few other crew members.
As a premise, “Outer Darkness� is pretty cool. Unfortunately, as a graphic novel, it has issues. The main one is the lack of any truly sympathetic characters. I don’t normally have an issue with a story in which every character is an asshole, but I have to at least relate to or feel a connection with one of them. I don’t have that connection with any of them.
Rigg is an unlikable jerk. This wouldn’t be so bad if he also had some depth, and other than this big secret he’s carrying around (which we only get tiny clues about), there’s not much to his character. He’s a drunk. He’s angry. He doesn’t truly care about the lives of anyone else unless they are integral in helping to complete his mission. I get it already. I actually know people like Rigg. I don’t find much entertainment value in reading a story in which a guy like him is the protagonist.
There’s also an issue I have with the artwork, which may be petty, but it’s also annoying. Chan, the artist, is clearly adept at drawing and not without some talent. It is, however, hidden underneath a weirdly derivative style that is clearly heavily inspired by manga and Hanna-Barbera cartoons from the �70s, neither of which are styles that I like. Granted, I realize this is a very personal-taste kind of thing, so I’m just throwing it out there.
All the more disappointing is the fact that this series is the brainchild of Layman, whose graphic novel “Chew� is clever, funny, gross, weird, and I loved it. “Outer Darkness� may be clever, but it’s not very funny, and for a series that deals with some pretty heavy horror elements (and plenty of gore), it definitely lacks the necessary comedic relief to counterbalance all of that. Hell, even Grant Morrison’s epically dark and terrifying graphic mini-series “Nameless� still made me chuckle in places. (Although I have a sick sense of humor, so that may be why.) In any case, I didn’t love “Outer Darkness� , and I was really hoping to.
May 25, 2019
Id read the first 3 issues as singles but then decided to read this as a TPB. Its reslly amazing. Balances the right amount of scifi horror and comedy with a simplistic cartoonish style art. Loved it
January 16, 2020
Outer Darkness is a fun graphic novel, if you are into the two genres it blends: science fiction and horror.
It takes place in a space-going future, where starships ply the spaceways and aliens mingle with humans... but at the same time the galaxy is haunted by all kinds of supernatural terrors. Ghosts moan, demons possess, and a chained god can power a stardrive.
The plot concerns a very unfriendly captain taking a ship on a mission. Along the way all kinds of awful things happen, and some of the crew feud with their new leader.
I love blending sf and horror, so Outer Darkness entertained me very much. Most of the characters are bad people and plots resolve in unpleasant ways - imagine the opposite of Star Trek's Next Generation - and that was refreshing. I was especially fond of the navigator, whose last name nobody can remember.
Worldbuilding is slight, beyond setting up the genre synthesis. I enjoyed seeing exorcists and mathematicians join with space marines to repel boarders, but wanted to learn more about this future society and how it worked.
The art worked for me.
Overall, 4 stars if you like this kind of thing. 3 or less if not.
It takes place in a space-going future, where starships ply the spaceways and aliens mingle with humans... but at the same time the galaxy is haunted by all kinds of supernatural terrors. Ghosts moan, demons possess, and a chained god can power a stardrive.
The plot concerns a very unfriendly captain taking a ship on a mission. Along the way all kinds of awful things happen, and some of the crew feud with their new leader.
I love blending sf and horror, so Outer Darkness entertained me very much. Most of the characters are bad people and plots resolve in unpleasant ways - imagine the opposite of Star Trek's Next Generation - and that was refreshing. I was especially fond of the navigator, whose last name nobody can remember.
Worldbuilding is slight, beyond setting up the genre synthesis. I enjoyed seeing exorcists and mathematicians join with space marines to repel boarders, but wanted to learn more about this future society and how it worked.
The art worked for me.
Overall, 4 stars if you like this kind of thing. 3 or less if not.
January 16, 2020
How did I miss that John Layman had a new series out? I loved Chew, so seeing that name made this a must-read. And wow, is this a Layman book.
This is basically Lovecraft in space, but played for laughs (and horror. And action). Space is a place that doesn't really tolerate humans, and travel through the galaxy is much a battle against dark gods and supernatural entities as it is against the alien race humans are at war with. Into this is thrown a disgraced former captain, a mutinous crew, and a mysterious mission. No one likes each other, but they're all dependent enough on one another to work past it (at least on the surface). It's such a weird melange of ideas that it shouldn't work, but Layman really does pull it out in amazing ways. The art helps a lot, using cartoonish enough art that the eviscerations and frequent deaths aren't completely horrifying. The characters are pretty intriguing, even the 'B' people. The humor is dark, bleak, and satisfying. The world is fascinating and unpredictable. And I am all in to read more.
This is basically Lovecraft in space, but played for laughs (and horror. And action). Space is a place that doesn't really tolerate humans, and travel through the galaxy is much a battle against dark gods and supernatural entities as it is against the alien race humans are at war with. Into this is thrown a disgraced former captain, a mutinous crew, and a mysterious mission. No one likes each other, but they're all dependent enough on one another to work past it (at least on the surface). It's such a weird melange of ideas that it shouldn't work, but Layman really does pull it out in amazing ways. The art helps a lot, using cartoonish enough art that the eviscerations and frequent deaths aren't completely horrifying. The characters are pretty intriguing, even the 'B' people. The humor is dark, bleak, and satisfying. The world is fascinating and unpredictable. And I am all in to read more.
September 16, 2019
Has a couple of interesting ideas - spaceships are powered by hate, or captured gods.. when people die their souls fly screaming through space to the titular outer darkness - if located, the soul can be retrieved and the person resurrected.. spaceships have quantum mathematicians and excorcists among their crew.. demons are constantly preying on the living (and dead, probably).
And then you have a main character, captain Rigg, who is an asshole. And not in a fun way. More in a self-conscious, edgy way. More in a "I don't care about this character" way. The whole book suffers from self-conscious edginess - lots of characters swearing like sailors, which is fine, but strangely comes across as if the author is trying to impress the 13-year-old in all of us.
The art is.. fine. It sort of depends on whether you like your art Adult Swim-y, or not.
2.5 stars
(Read as six single issues.)
And then you have a main character, captain Rigg, who is an asshole. And not in a fun way. More in a self-conscious, edgy way. More in a "I don't care about this character" way. The whole book suffers from self-conscious edginess - lots of characters swearing like sailors, which is fine, but strangely comes across as if the author is trying to impress the 13-year-old in all of us.
The art is.. fine. It sort of depends on whether you like your art Adult Swim-y, or not.
2.5 stars
(Read as six single issues.)
May 18, 2019
If you've enjoyed Star Trek Discovery's turning the darkness volume up on the Star Trek franchise, but wish it had a bit more magic in it, this might be the series for you.
A captain who doesn't play by "the rules", a dangerous mission that requires his skill set, a first officer plotting against him, and a crew filled with questionable loyalties. Plus, the dead can be revived or can turn into demons, and the richer you are, the more likely you are to be revived.
Layman is at their best when writing a flawed protagonist who is unwavering in their moral code, so I'm excited to see where this series goes.
A captain who doesn't play by "the rules", a dangerous mission that requires his skill set, a first officer plotting against him, and a crew filled with questionable loyalties. Plus, the dead can be revived or can turn into demons, and the richer you are, the more likely you are to be revived.
Layman is at their best when writing a flawed protagonist who is unwavering in their moral code, so I'm excited to see where this series goes.
June 28, 2019
Great combination of sci-fi and horror. The crew members are funny, interesting and everybody has its own important role in the story. The only thing that pissed me off was the swearing in the first two issues. It was nothing but "fuck" and "fucking this fucking that" all the time, unnecessary. Besides that it was really amazing action-packed ride with funny dialogues and after promising start I hope it will get only better.
November 5, 2019
What if Firefly and Star Trek were mixed together BUT pretty much everyone is a f**k'n asshole?
I semi-enjoyed it, but right now there are not a lot of like-able characters, just a bunch of nefarious motivations.
Space. Elder Gods. Ghosts rocketing through space....FOREVER. Re-incarnation. Betrayal. LOTS OF DEATH.
I semi-enjoyed it, but right now there are not a lot of like-able characters, just a bunch of nefarious motivations.
Space. Elder Gods. Ghosts rocketing through space....FOREVER. Re-incarnation. Betrayal. LOTS OF DEATH.
March 13, 2023
Eehhh che dire ? ..bombetta inaspettata cazzo !
In questo primo volume succede di tutto e c'è di tutto.
Svisceriamo il volume con qualche concetto chiave, in modo da farvi inquadrare l'opera:
Fumetto di fantascienza con astronavi e alieni, motori di navi alimentate con Dei ormai dimenticati, demoni, mostri spaziali, esorcisti, soldati, matematici, sangue, morte, ressurrezione, splatter, oracoli, gatti ..e il tutto incorniciato da una trama con qualche salto temporale qua e là , booom!
In questo primo volume succede di tutto e c'è di tutto.
Svisceriamo il volume con qualche concetto chiave, in modo da farvi inquadrare l'opera:
Fumetto di fantascienza con astronavi e alieni, motori di navi alimentate con Dei ormai dimenticati, demoni, mostri spaziali, esorcisti, soldati, matematici, sangue, morte, ressurrezione, splatter, oracoli, gatti ..e il tutto incorniciato da una trama con qualche salto temporale qua e là , booom!
May 26, 2020
Star Trek + scary monsters + anti-heroes = Outer Darkness
The issues in this first volume feel very episodic, introducing the crew and the universe in piecemeal fashion, although it all ties together beautifully in a double issue at the end. I'm absolutely digging the world-building, where demons roam space and Gods are harnessed to power starships. The Charon's captain, Riggs, is wildly underdeveloped - basically just an angry man for the sake of being angry. Hopefully he gets fleshed out a bit in future volumes.
The art is good...for a different kind of story. Scary monsters in space deserves a bit more realism that Afu Chan's very comic-y style. I was occasionally distracted by the silliness on the page when I was supposed to feel terror. Maybe that can be tightened up in future volumes too. All told, this first volume was a strong, interesting, propulsive start to the series with just a few, correctable bumps.
The issues in this first volume feel very episodic, introducing the crew and the universe in piecemeal fashion, although it all ties together beautifully in a double issue at the end. I'm absolutely digging the world-building, where demons roam space and Gods are harnessed to power starships. The Charon's captain, Riggs, is wildly underdeveloped - basically just an angry man for the sake of being angry. Hopefully he gets fleshed out a bit in future volumes.
The art is good...for a different kind of story. Scary monsters in space deserves a bit more realism that Afu Chan's very comic-y style. I was occasionally distracted by the silliness on the page when I was supposed to feel terror. Maybe that can be tightened up in future volumes too. All told, this first volume was a strong, interesting, propulsive start to the series with just a few, correctable bumps.
January 16, 2020
What if Star Trek and Lovecraft had a baby? That baby would be Outer Darkness.
July 15, 2020
I found this at the library and decided to read it during lunch. The cover art grabbed my attention. The art on the inside was just as vibrant and compelling throughout the book. The premise of Outer Darness is familiar, but still sufficiently unique. Joshua Rigg is hired to lead a secret mission deep into enemy territory aboard a military spaceship in the midst of an interstellar war. His new, ragtag crew is skeptical of their new captain, which he exacerbates with his wreckless and abrasive leadership style. About halfway through, I had decided I would not read the second volume. At that point, the story was meandering and I hated every single character. I seriously can't think of a positive thing to say about any of the characters in this. That said, towards the very end, there was a twist that made me want to keep reading.
The story has a strong mix of both sci-fi and fantasy elements. Comparisons to Saga would be understandable, but probably not all that accurate. They are similar in that they mix sci-fi and fantasy into an interstellar war, but Outer Darness lacks the self-righteous morality. On one hand, I appreciate that, but Outer Darness takes it too far in the other direction. All the characters are terrible with no redeeming value or hint of remorse. I will probably give the second volume a chance, but this author has a lot of work to do to get my long-term attention. A relationship with anything resembling a likable friendship would be a good start. Three stars for now. I could see myself revising this if it turns out to be a setup to a genius-level story.
The story has a strong mix of both sci-fi and fantasy elements. Comparisons to Saga would be understandable, but probably not all that accurate. They are similar in that they mix sci-fi and fantasy into an interstellar war, but Outer Darness lacks the self-righteous morality. On one hand, I appreciate that, but Outer Darness takes it too far in the other direction. All the characters are terrible with no redeeming value or hint of remorse. I will probably give the second volume a chance, but this author has a lot of work to do to get my long-term attention. A relationship with anything resembling a likable friendship would be a good start. Three stars for now. I could see myself revising this if it turns out to be a setup to a genius-level story.
August 31, 2020
I like John Layman as a writer. While Chew didn't quite end as I hoped it would, I trust his eye for story, especially his ability to combine unexpected elements to create thrilling plots.
Outer Darkness is another fine example of this. What if the USS Enterprise was powered by a God Engine and crewed with mathematicians and exorcists? Layman really gets into this concept, exploring science fantasy to the nth degree. Not only is the Charon traversing galaxies with magik, its crew are able to reclaim lost ensigns with 'soul retrieval' and must contend with demonic stowaways brought aboard via possession. Throw in Joshua Rigg, compelling asshole Captain with his own agenda, and a crew that is quietly contemplating mutiny and you have a sci-fi series that has a lot going on within it.
One would be forgiven for thinking that Layman has packed too much in here but he strikes an appealing balance. Most of all I admire the subtlety of his world-building, how you really have to look to see where he sneaks exposition into the dialogue. Also Chan's artwork is gorgeous, creating some awesome splash pages. I've never been much of a Trekkie or a Black Magic aficionado but I say more please.
Suffice to say I would definitely recommend Outer Darkness, Volume 1: Each Other's Throats to crossover fans of both Star Trek and Supernatural or anyone on the lookout for a graphic high concept genre blend.
Outer Darkness is another fine example of this. What if the USS Enterprise was powered by a God Engine and crewed with mathematicians and exorcists? Layman really gets into this concept, exploring science fantasy to the nth degree. Not only is the Charon traversing galaxies with magik, its crew are able to reclaim lost ensigns with 'soul retrieval' and must contend with demonic stowaways brought aboard via possession. Throw in Joshua Rigg, compelling asshole Captain with his own agenda, and a crew that is quietly contemplating mutiny and you have a sci-fi series that has a lot going on within it.
One would be forgiven for thinking that Layman has packed too much in here but he strikes an appealing balance. Most of all I admire the subtlety of his world-building, how you really have to look to see where he sneaks exposition into the dialogue. Also Chan's artwork is gorgeous, creating some awesome splash pages. I've never been much of a Trekkie or a Black Magic aficionado but I say more please.
Suffice to say I would definitely recommend Outer Darkness, Volume 1: Each Other's Throats to crossover fans of both Star Trek and Supernatural or anyone on the lookout for a graphic high concept genre blend.
February 19, 2020
This is some crazy-ass space fantasy monster horror story. Spaceships powered by ancient Sumerian gods, demons possessing crewmembers, ghosts, haunted solar systems, space zombies, engineers working alongside exorcists... it’s wackadoo. And it kinda works.
It’s Star Trek’s mirror universe meets The Exorcist meets Alien and it’s pretty bonkers. Everyone is pretty much a foul-mouthed asshole, but given that they’re up against actual evil eating their souls, you sort of have to forgive them their trespasses.
There was a genuinely terrible sci-fi horror movie 20-some years ago called Event Horizon, which is the only film I’ve ever seen to get both astrophysics *and* metaphysics wrong at the same time. This comic is basically the good version of that story. So if you like your horror bloody and you’re a fan of the mirror universe episodes of Star Trek, this is the book for you.
The art is solid, in an animated cartoon style, but it conveys the story clearly, which is all it needs to do.
It’s Star Trek’s mirror universe meets The Exorcist meets Alien and it’s pretty bonkers. Everyone is pretty much a foul-mouthed asshole, but given that they’re up against actual evil eating their souls, you sort of have to forgive them their trespasses.
There was a genuinely terrible sci-fi horror movie 20-some years ago called Event Horizon, which is the only film I’ve ever seen to get both astrophysics *and* metaphysics wrong at the same time. This comic is basically the good version of that story. So if you like your horror bloody and you’re a fan of the mirror universe episodes of Star Trek, this is the book for you.
The art is solid, in an animated cartoon style, but it conveys the story clearly, which is all it needs to do.
December 30, 2021
Fun stuff... well, fun if you like blood and guts in space. I'm digging the Captain and his buddy. I'm rooting for them, although its one of those stories where anyone is expendable. I want more! On to vol. 2.
October 15, 2024
I'm not usually super into science fiction, but I wanted to give this series a shot after being impressed with Chew. Issues 1-3 of Outer Darkness did not do much to pull me in, but issues 4-6 were a bit more attention-grabbing! I'm curious enough to try out Volume 2.
September 5, 2019
Not quite the Layman writing I was used to in Chew but the storyline is interesting/different enough that I want to see where it goes.
December 13, 2019
Fun concept but very unlikable main character.
May 21, 2021
What if Firefly just absolutely SNAPPED.
September 10, 2021
This is a super-weird Sci-Fi/Horror mash-up. I will definitely be reading the next volume as soon as possible. Also, looking forward to the Chew/Outer Darkness crossover book.
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