SILVER SURFER #8
Writer: Dan Slott
Penciler: Michael Allred
Colorist: Laura Allred
Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino
Rating: T+
Price: $3.99
Release Date: 03/08/17
Plot: The Silver Surfer and Dawn Greenwood continue their cosmic odyssey with a stop on the planet Inkandesha 4. This planet is the only habitable world in a four planet system, so why are the inhabitants safe on this world? Surfer and Dawn are about to find out.
Story: After a two month hiatus the Silver Surfer returns. Thankfully this issue is a one-and-done story which is perfect for new readers to get into this series. It’s also good for old readers because it did not leave them in the middle of a longer story arc.
If you follow Dan Slott on Twitter then you know he’s a huge Doctor Who fan. Anyone who’s seen an episode can read this issue and see that both series have similar overall concepts, an alien being travels to different planets with a human companion. However it’s not just an overall similarity but the way stories are presented. Whenever both protagonists explore a new planet, they discover something unsettling that causes them to see things in a different light.
In this issue’s case that moment happens when Surfer and Dawn learn the citizens of Inkandesha 4 are just living holograms and they’ve replaced Dawn’s physical form with a hologram. Surfer and Holo-Dawn successfully save Dawn’s body and discover the only physical beings on the planet power the machines to stabilize the holo-citizens. This is an interesting society where people have given up their physical forms so they can live longer. It’s an interesting conundrum that makes the reader think how far one should go for a longer life.
Fortunately this moment isn’t as serious as I made it sound, thanks to Slott’s dialogue. Slott manages to create fun banter between the Surfer and Dawn. My favorite moment between these two was Dawn’s response when Surfer compares Holo-Dawn to Dawn’s twin sister, Eve.
Art: Michael Allred’s artwork and Laura Allred’s color choices remind me of a Saturday morning cartoon. The houses on Inkandessa 4 look like they are straight out of The Jetsons. Also Michael Allred does an outstanding job with facial expressions especially for the Silver Surfer. Most comics I’ve read with Silver Surfer his expression is difficult to read which makes his voice come off as cold. However I think Allred’s work allows the reader to see what emotion the Surfer is feeling while speaking.
Verdict: After a brief hiatus Silver Surfer returns with a single issue story that reminded me what makes this title so great. Dan Slott’s story and Michael Allred’s artwork create a fun tale of science fiction that anyone can enjoy. Plus since this is a one-and-done story it’s perfect for new readers. Overall, Silver Surfer #9 is definitely a buy.
Star Rating: 4 out of 5 stars, solid issue.