Buck Rogers #4

I love this series, no surprise there.

1) It's sci-fi with a lot of real world physics. The idea of using gravity to propel a ship through space is genius, and the idea that gravity can effect the fabric of space-time is deeply rooted in Einstein‘s theory of General Relativity;

2)"Man out of time" spin, like my favorite character, Captain America, only in reverse. In this, it's the brash and unconventional methods that save the day;

And 3) it's totally unpredictable. I have no idea how this title is able to keep me guessing as it develops from page to page, yet feels completely natural as it happens. The character interaction between Buck and Deering is outstanding. Though you know who these characters are from the previous issues, how they are different, and how you expect them to act, they still always manage to surprise you in a way that just feels right in retrospect. When’s the last time you could say that about the main characters in a comic?  The story is moving along in a surprising, yet natural fashion as well. Buck is quickly gaining a positive reputation for himself, yet it’s becoming more and more obvious that the current state of the solar system (Genetic Mutation, Slave trade and humans harvested as an alien food crop), all started in Buck's past when he failed his mission. In other words, it could all be his fault. For a brash and cocky person like Buck Rodgers, this could prove devastating. That, my friends, is the classic "Tragic Hero" complex right there.... Of course, with this title being as wonderfully unpredictable as it is, I could be completely wrong. Honestly though, I wouldn't have it any other way.

In this issue, we find Buck and Deering stranded on Mars after their escape from the human harvester's ship in orbit. They come upon a lab strewn with human remains, the end result of an airborne plague that caused the victims to become violent and primal in nature. A plague that had just happened in Buck's home time. Our heroes are not alone on Mars, however. They are being stalked and hunted by another geneticly mutated animal, a timber wolf, left there by the harvesters to tie up loose ends. The harvesters have more important things on their minds: they have decided to plunder Earth and pick it clean.

Meanwhile, the Protectorate back on Earth have become aware of Buck and Deering's plight and are preparing to come to the rescue. Using the Gravity Drive from Buck's downed ship, they plan on reaching Mars in a matter of minutes.

The wolf catches up to Buck and Deering in a shattered Eco-dome, and Buck being the lovable character that he is, downs the wolf in a wonderfully unconventional fashion. While in transit to Mars, the Protectorate ship passes the harvesters. Because of the Gravity Drive, both ships suffer damage due to the drive's temporal wake. The drive itself was liquefied by the distortion, the cosmic effects of the wake however, are as yet unknown. After the rescue, Buck is accepted into the Protectorate and dawns the black/neon-blue uniform of the office for the first time.