The year 2012 is a year of changes for me. My Marvel pile is quickly dwindling and because of that my ‘independent’ tastes are expanding. Now of course, Vertigo is owned by DC so it’s hardly Image or IDW here. But Vertigo books are so off the beaten path from DC books that I always consider them a second company. I mean I know it isn’t but….anyways I’m going off topic so about this issue of Saucer Country…

I’m not gonna lie, I am finding myself quite a hard time enjoying this book. This isn’t a terrible issue by any means but for some reason all I had to say about it was ‘meh’. And we all know just how terrible the word ‘meh’ is on anything. It’s probably worse then just saying a book is bad. In this issue we get a little more in depth with the abduction of Michael and Alvarado. But it’s such a slow burn that I just found myself not really all that interested in the final reveal. Also, semi-spoiler, the way this issue ends by saying the title of the book is REALLY lame) I think also Cornell is juggling too many stories with this series. We got Michael’s issues, Alvarado’s, Joshua Kidd’s introduction into Alvarado’s cabinet, ramblings from a radio jock, and now a new thing with a support group of abductees….It’s too much! There are storylines that I mentioned that I do like, but not enough time is put to them.

The art by Ryan Kelly is still pretty good though. I do agree with some readers that Kelly hasn’t done a great job making this feel like New Mexico. (Which is quite baffling considering this is the same man who did Local) But for the most part it doesn’t bother me too much cause if this is a presidential race plot then we might be hopping around from place to place. But the characters are great to look at because Kelly does do a bang up job making them look so unique from each other. Also, even if the settings are kinda generic, they still are pretty gorgeous to look at. Partly I think it helps that Giulia Brusco’s colors are so damn bright and vibrant that it makes each area unique and interesting to look at. So art wise I do think this series is worth a buy.

Speaking of which, I am questing whether I want to continue on buying this series. At least in a monthly format because, so far, this series is just too damn slow for me to enjoy. Right now though I am willing to give this series at least until the first arc (or at least two more issues) because this series has two things going for it: 1) The great artwork by Ryan Kelly and his team. 2) I do love alien stories and I am willing to give it a try. Again this isn’t a bad series, but like a Brian K. Vaughn book I might just have more enjoyment waiting for the series then buying it monthly.