John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction: Vortex #6
Written by Mike Sizemore
Pencils and Inks by Dave Kennedy
Colors by Pete Kennedy
Lettering by Janice Chiang
Edited by Sandy King
Cover Art by Tim Bradstreet
Storm King Comics
Release date: March 28, 2018
Price: $3.99

“Yes, and of some god shall wreck me in the wine-dark deep, even so, I will endure”¦” – Homer

John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction, the monthly comic anthology series from Storm King Comics rolls on with issue #6 of Vortex. We left our cast of characters on a deep space mining colony where something killed most of the crew and a tentacled beast is loose. Meanwhile there are even more threats looming back on the Benson, a space station across space. No time to fuss around, this issue is all action from jump street.

Good news: Jake Dixon and his team have lifted off from mining station and are en route back to Space Station Benson. Bad news: the Lovecraftian tentacled monster is on board hitching a ride. Whereas this series played it nice and easy taking time to build the world and its characters through the first several issues, writer Mike Sizemore pulls no punches now as we reach the sixth issue in the series. The monster ravages through the ship wrecking communications, and tearing gaping holes in it as Dixon, Space Marine Ford, and rookie youngster Sinclair hold up mid ship. Sinclair as well the “something hostile” seem to be controlled by evil Dr. Anderson who is working very well as the villain here. With them stuck, pilot Anna Cheron hustles in for the save allowing Ford to go off in search of revenge.

What we get is some of the coolest and most graphic imagery in the entire series as the artists deliver big time horror pages. Dave Kennedy hits a real home run especially on page 18, looking like something borrowed from the Horror Master himself. The monster violence resembles unused artwork from The Thing. Anderson’s gleeful manipulation of the characters is a joy to behold reminding me of the evils trying to possess Sam Neill in Event Horizon.

Vortex #6 flew by and left me craving the final two issues. Soon the monsters will be back on Space Shuttle Benson and real Hell will break loose. I’m a sucker for Lovecraft themed monsters and Carpenter’s influence permeates throughout this series. Sizemore’s created a tension filled world with characters who are relatable and everyone involved with the artistry of these issues deserves congratulations.

Vortex #6 is available in stores now. Issue #7 hits April 25th, 2018.

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