Sometimes weird things happen that are unexplained, but other times they are scientific experiments that are unleashed on the world. When there is a weird happening tied to science chances are they come from Miyashi-Smith Laboratories out of New York. Now after years of experiments and accidents, Miyashi-Smith has a new Chief Coordinator that is supposed to fix things. But he may have bitten off more than he can chew, and the reality of the things at hand may be too horrifying to control.
Mad Science Division: The Cold Open #0 – Written By Dan Watters – Art By Brian Level – Colors By Lee Loughridge – Letters By Frank Cvetkovic – Edited By Maggie Howell - Published By Ignition Press
Credit: Ignition Press
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
STORY OVERVIEW:
It’s an unassuming summer day in Upstate New York in the year 1974. As families in Shady Glade, New York celebrate the Fourth of July with BBQ’s and family time, none of them could imagine what would happen next. An accidentally released gas turns their joyous outings into a nightmare in seconds. Years later the new Chief Coordinator of Miyashi- Smith, Anderson is being filled in on what happened in 1974 by Coordinator Butler. His dismissiveness of this incident as well as the work that goes on but what is unaffectionately known as the Mad Science Division is troubling. This can only lead to more trouble and further accidents along the way.
WRITING:
This zero issue of Mad Science Division gives the reader a taste for what’s to come in this new series from Ignition Press. Dan Watters crafts a perfect teaser to pique the interest of any reader. Watters doesn’t give much away, but just enough to whet the appetite of potential readers of this new series. The horrific story that is told from 1974 feels like just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the crazy experiments that Miyashi-Smith is behind. Furthermore, Watters teases the descension in the ranks of the company and how this may affect where this series will be heading as it unfolds. This teaser is very effective in getting readers ready for what this series has in store for them with this wild and crazy story.
ARTWORK:
The artwork in this zero issue catches your eye and makes you do a double take throughout this teaser issue. Brain Level captures this world in a noir cartoon style that makes this feel like a comic version of the X-Files. That cartoonish style makes even the disturbing scenes of this teaser issue feel fun, yet horrifying. It’s definitely a different take on what you would expect from this kind of story and that feels fresh in its own right. Lee Loughridge’s color selections match the artwork and give them more of a cartoonish feel. Normally this would be off putting, but in the case of this story it fits and adds an extra layer to the allure of the story.
Check Out MY REVIEW OF CULT-DE-SAC #1
Final Thoughts:
Mad Science Division: The Cold Open #0 is a sharp, unsettling introduction that pairs intriguing corporate mystery with striking horror visuals. It reveals just enough to make the series an easy Pull List pick for fans of strange science and slow-burn suspense. This issue and subsequent series will most definitely stick out on the shelves of your local shop and will beckon you to give it a chance. Grab this first issue and see if it tickles your fancy and leaves you as entertained as it did me.
FINAL GRADE: 9.3/10
Let me know your thoughts on Mad Science Division: The Cold Open #0 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
