Review: Bereavement - A Sci-Fi Murder Mystery Comic by Bruno Catarino
If you're looking for a sci-fi murder mystery that is about loss, grief, and the human condition, then look no further than Bereavement by Bruno Catarino. This 36-page one-shot comic features artwork by Samuel Donato, with colours by Gio Tengco and letting by Micah Myers.
Bereavement follows Zara, a therapist working for the Space Exploration Agency. She is summoned to Jupiter Base to consult on her former patient, Amelia. Unfortunately, Amelia has died a rather savage death by the time Zara arrives, but everything is not what it seems, with the corporation ruling it an accident. Amelia's partner AI, Leo, is the only one who knows what really happened, and he believes Amelia was potentially murdered as some things don't line up. But who can Zara trust?
Starting with the art by Samuel Donato and it has a stunning blend of dynamic linework and expressive character designs. The focus on facial expressions effectively conveys the emotions and experiences of the characters, sometimes exaggerated but always impactful. The backgrounds are nicely detailed where needed without overwhelming the foreground action. And you never lose the sense that you're in a spaceship. The panel layout is a work of art on its own, with every page laid out differently and quite a few overlapping frames to add some extra depth to certain scenes.
The colouring by Gio Tengco elevates the artwork further with some strong lighting highlights as well as bringing the character's clothes to life. Gio excels, though, when it comes to Leo and how he likes to project his thoughts/videos into floating windows so that he can see them with his eyes like a human would look at screens, along with everyone else.
Micah Myers letters the comic and doesn't take many risks with clear to read fonts throughout, which is never anything to complain about! The only real mix-up is Leo's speech bubbles compared to others, with a more boxy font typically used for robots of AI. Sometimes people can go too far with it for style, but this is still very readable, which is a must in my opinion. Clear lettering is a must, so I appreciate this.
Finally, the story by Bruno Catarino weaves us through an emotional murder mystery with an AI that wants to feel whilst knowing its place in this surprisingly not-too-distant future of 2085. Bruno's writing is impactful, drawing readers into a world where the lines between human and artificial intelligence blur when it comes to emotions. The emotional depth and intricate plot twists ensure that every page turn is filled with anticipation. You are kept on your toes as to what has happened to Amelia, what the outcome will be and what evidence Leo actually holds and can access.
It's important to remember that this is a one-shot as it could easily be so much more. And that's not a criticism, as I thoroughly enjoyed it as a complete story. But you can't help but finish it and think about how it oozes potential to be expanded upon, even though you realistically wouldn't change a thing.
In conclusion, Bereavement is a captivating sci-fi murder mystery that not only leaves you wanting more but also leaves you with a weird sense of satisfaction that it could be more yet doesn't actually need to be. It might frustrate you, or it might leave you satisfied, but either one works perfectly with this story. With its stunning artwork, compelling narrative, and emotional depth, Bereavement is a one-shot comic that is a must-read for fans of the genre. Excitingly, Bereavement will be funding on Kickstarter. Don't miss the opportunity to support this incredible project and help bring it to life!
Rating: 5/5
