Volume 3 is centered around the paradoxes of the inter-dimensional travel. After encountering various versions of themselves from other dimensions at the end of volume 2 we follow our team as they try to make sense of what exactly is going on. But as the time goes on it seems that initial inter-dimensional pillar activation is cause for a whole lots of mayhem across various worlds and dimensions. What seems to be random jumps might not be so random after all but jumps through the already made holes in the fabric of the universe.

As story progresses it gets more and more hard to like any of the characters involved. They are all so self-righteous and only think of them and their goals it is incredible. Unfortunately considering the modern society and general narcissism that is prevalent in it these characters are maybe more real than expected (although some of the conclusions and decisions made are somewhat juvenile for serious mature people - although, again, people do tend to (over)dramatize).

Good book, maybe a little more story-filler than story-development issue but nevertheless good. Art as always is just pure joy for the eyes.

Recommended for SF fans. ( )

Despite the comments of some people here, i think this volume is better than the second. It felt more consistent and rich. I liked the flashback parts about Grant's and Sarah's life as a family. There are some interesting twists in other characters too, specially at the end.

I really like the concept of this comic, but it has a tendency to get confusing at times. There are two things that i disliked in this volume:

a) Even being a science fiction graphic novel, the first volume had a strong sense of verisimilitude. In this volume, Grant suddenly engages in some hero attitude, whose results don't seem very convincing to me, from the scientific point of view.

b) There are pretty intense moments in this volume, but i felt that it should have slowed down more often. I mean, the rhythm is very fast overall and very constant, so it's difficult to breathe sometimes, you know what i mean? If it had more variation in rhythm it would be a more interesting read, in my opinion.

Anyway, i really liked this book and i will read the fourth volume. Black Science maybe isn't the best read i had so far, but it certainly has my kind of weirdness. And the artwork is spectacular, as usual! ( )

Black Science, Volume 3
Vanishing Pattern
Author: Rick Remender, Matteo Scalera, Moreno Dinisio
Publisher: Image Comics
Date: 2015
Pgs:
Dewey: 741.5973 BLA
Disposition: Irving Public Library - South Campus - Irving, TX
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REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Summary:
An agenda other than Grant’s or Kadir’s makes itself felt with repercussions for the team. They see the damage they are causing as their Pillar tears its way through the Onion. The fabric of reality is cracking, straining, and in some places going dark.
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Genre:
Manga
Comics
Graphic Novels
Science Fiction
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Favorite Character:
No Grant. Shawn is the hero. He stood by and saw what Grant, and Kadir, and Chandra, and Rebecca, and Pia, and all of them were willing to do to keep going to try and get home until his conscience boiled over and shamed them all into doing the right thing.

Well damn. I guess Ward is the only one who stays dead after all.

The Feel:
Why is everything science fiction made better with jetpacks?

Favorite Scene / Quote:
Over and over again, I’d been deposited back into the same scenario. Mr Block sought control. Kadir sought Sara. Grant and Sara only wanted to find their very likely dead children. The same patterns playing out, repeating through the Onion.

The Shaman’s nihilism standing face to face with Nate’s childish optimism and faith in his father is wrenching. Especially when we’ve seen beneath Grant’s mask a time or three through the course of these stories.

You’re right about me. I see past adolescent concepts like nobility. I deal in cold facts. Pragmatism doesn’t have time for how thigns should be. You make the best play with what’s in front of you. That’s why I’m still here.

Pacing:
There is a pattern. Each main character gets a personal cliffhanger alongside the TPB climax.

Plot Holes/Out of Character:
So...pinching the bridge of my nose HARD, it wasn’t Nate or Pia who killed parental kidnapper alt Grant, it was Rebecca. Seems just a touch more work could’ve gone into differentiating the looks of the characters.

Hmm Moments:
So...this Grant may be O.G., original Grant. Maybe. Multiverses, bygones.

Seeing themselves as futuristic Romans who faced a rightful Inquisition to end their blood soaked rule. How many innocents did they slaughter? Too many. Of course, the Inquisition being an Inquisition did its share of slaughter too. And the reason...damn...the reason. A smallpox to the Indians type situation, but with cross dimensional travellers as the instead of the colonials and conquistadors.

WTF Moments:
Said in confused voice, “So...is Rebecca some kind of sciencedigger who seduced Grant to keep him working on the Pillar when he was ready to fold up and go home. She’s the least defined of the core characters at this point. Wondering what more there is to her. Her conflict with Chandra and the way she acts toward the kids suggest one thing. But the apparent manipulation of Grant to stay the course, complete the Pillar, and stay with her suggests another. Also makes Pia’s accusations about her stealing away her Dad ring true.

Wait...NFW!?! Rebecca’s brother died. And she’s from an alternate universe to begin with. No. Put in context with Pia’s reaction to her. And the way she acts against type to the children. No way. If what I’m thinking is right that’s pretty messed up...not my first choice of word.

Meh / PFFT Moments:
Well crap. I just identified with Kadir’s take on pragmatism.

Wisdom:
But, if an alt lived functionally the same life in a mirror that was so close as to be almost undifferentiated would those observing from outside his psyche ever know if he was real Grant, first Grant, prime Grant/ Or would it truly matter...other than the real, first, prime was still out there somewhere.

The Unexpected:
While I wouldn’t characterize this as Manga, that is one of the pips that Amazon used to describe it. So, I included it in the genre list above.

Wow! After the pathos and the reconnection between Not-Sara and Pia, they burn Not-Sara down.

The Shaman was right. So, of course, he falls victim to the theme of the series. He didn’t make it.
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Last Page Sound:
Good enough to drag me along TPB to TPB. Don’t think this would have hooked me if I was reading it monthly.

Author Assessment:
Well done.

Editorial Assessment:
Wish editors has pushed for a bit more differentiation in dimensioneer uniforms.

Knee Jerk Reaction:
glad I read it
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Another great volume, simultaneously focusing in on the characters while expanding the concept ever outward into new directions. ( )

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This felt like a poorly written and expertly illustrated "Quantum Leap". Ultimately extremely confusing, even after reading volumes 1 and 2 immediately before starting this one.

Not recommended. ( )