Writer: David A. Goodman
Artist: Alvaro Sarraseca
Colorist: Jordi Escuin Llorach
Letterer: Mauro Mantella
Cover Artist: Alvaro Sarraseca
Publisher: Dark Horse
Price: 3.99
Release Date: June 28, 2023
Operations Officer Travis Biggins wants to quietly resign his commission and depart aboard the space truck after it delivers Captain Olivier's desk. But the S.S. George H.W. Bush's new First Officer—former ensign Francine Masht—insists he organizes a funeral for her predecessor. Will Travis convince Captain Olivier to deliver a eulogy and swap the space service for a better-paying job? Let's warp into Space Job #4 and find out!
Story
Despite her rapid promotion, Masht seems centered and capable. She wants to honor her predecessor by respecting the rank he briefly held. Unlike Travis, she overlooks her Captain’s faults because she believes in the importance of the space service.
By comparison, Travis blamed Danny's leapfrog advancement on race discrimination. He'll only remain on board the S.S. George H.W. Bush if he can break up the Medical Officer's marriage. To paraphrase Yoda, he's always looking to the future, to the horizon, but never to where he is.
Travis’ inability to focus on the present, and the importance of what he’s doing, extends to how much the (still unnamed) Medical Officer wants to make her marriage work. Sadly, the man she loves no longer exists. Possessed by an alien, Helm Officer Rick MacIntyre carries out his duties while observing the human onboard.
David A. Goodman ties up several story threads but leaves others dangling in Space Job #4. Like the science fiction TV shows he emulates, this final issue ends on a cliffhanger. Thankfully, character development allows us to savor the humor while identifying and empathizing with them.
Art
Alvaro Sarraseca portrays the command crew and medical officer in a life-like and appealing manner. Strangely unaware of how her predecessor died, First Officer Masht has transformed from a lackluster yeoman into a calm, focused officer. I'm sorry we never saw more of the crew. It'd be great to learn how many people serve aboard the S.S. Bush and all the duties they carry out.
Jordi Escuin Llorach imbues characters with warmth. Uniforms differentiate crew by their ranks and positions. As they surround Danny's coffin, overhead lights make the coffin gleam. The minnow-like Bush seems less nuanced than before. Space scenes may not make your jaw drop this time around. Still, the lighting and full-spectrum color make you wish you could serve aboard the Bush, especially as Masht seems poised to steer the ship on a more even keel.
Mauro Mantella gives black uppercase letters ample spacing, making white dialogue balloons and colored narrative boxes a joy to read. Colorful and energetic sound effects enliven humorous and poignant moments. Large white letters identify characters breaking the fourth wall and announce the time and space transitions. Greater and Lesser Than symbols remind readers when Travis speaks to the man delivering Olivier’s prized desk in Spanish.
Final Thoughts
Humor, character growth, and immersing art propel the wacky but loveable crew of the S.S. George H.W. Bush toward a cliffhanger in Space Job #4. Chart your course for adventure and your mind on a bittersweet cosmic romance.
Rating 9.6/10
To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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