This is a new comic book to me but I’m jumping in at issue 6. Saucer Country touted this as a good jump on issue and it is. I’m sorry I missed the past five, I’ve got them on back order. This comic dovetails into my fascination with paranormal, flying saucers, and the like. I’ve been fascinated with them since a bulletin board in the hallway when I was in third grade collected ‘true’ flying saucer tales during a big surge of interest in them in the early 70’s. (These times are know as flap among ufologist.) I have to say this issue gives a good over view of the classic cases and various theories about what these unknowns are.
First off we’ll get the legal disclaimer out of the way and give credit where credit is due. All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.
Credits for the issue are: Paul Cornell, Writer; Jimmy Broxton, Art & Color; Sal Ciprano, Letters; Mark Doyle, Associate Editor; and Will Dennis, Editor. Other special credits listed are thanks to Mark Pilkington for research help. Also Saucer Country created by Cornell & Kelly.
I’ve enjoyed reading flying saucer/UFO stories for going on four decades now. I’m pretty familiar with the classic stories and various theories about them. The highlights are well summed up in this issue from Kenneth Arnold’s sighting of crescent shaped craft just before the Roswell thing happened to how modern movies change what’s the predominate reports to blurring the lines between what was believed to be nut & bolt alien craft and paranormal occurrences. Even the current rage (I remember the first time it came around & I read Chariot of the Gods) of ancient gods being aliens is hit upon. It’s all covered here. Cudos for to the writers even in fiction on fringe topics do your research and get it right.
The frame for this summary of UFO lore and history is a lecture by researcher to a Senator and some other people. Apparently the audience had some unexplained experience in the first 5 issues and are now interested in the history of these types of events. The Professor gives a great history of the origins of the terms flying saucer, little green men, the greys and so much more. It’s a fun recap of what you’ll see bandied about should you delve into this subculture of UFOs. The frame works well to present it all. Along the way there are some twists aside – like who are the ‘sources’ the professor refers to? I’m sure that’ll be built upon in other issues. What the audience does with the information is another building block for the stories. Will they buy current theories, will they take the dubunker’s perspectives, or will they build their own explanations for what they experienced? This was enough of a taste to have me add this to my pull-list. I love a good alien story and have for over 40 years.
The art is excellent! I really enjoyed the panels illustrating what the Professor was saying. It gives a rich take on what was basically a lecture issue but instead became a travel through time. The art is sharp and realistic when it comes to the people but soft and at times cartoonish when it comes to the aliens. Perfect to walk that line without buying or discounting the various perspectives put forth in the lecture.
Okay I know you are wondering “Is she a believer or not?” The answer yes and no. I do believe that most, the vast majority of sightings and experiences can be explained in terms of things we understand today. They can be such things as hypnagogic sleep paralysis to test flights of secret experimental aircraft. BUT I do think that a very,very small bit of them are truly unexplained. What those things are – I haven’t a clue! BUT I enjoy hearing other people guess. I’ve not found an answer yet that I’ll buy. In the end I find it all great fuel for the creative engine and inspiration for stories of pure fiction.
So I’m sold on Saucer Country it’s on my pull list now! I’ve been a sucker for a good alien story for 40 years.
Up next on Comic Comments is Wolverine Noir this was a limited 4 book series telling an alternate story of Logan and Logan Private Investigations run by James Logan and his brother Dog. Next is panel and page comments.
Mary Louise Eklund 