Canopus #3 is out June 17, 2020. — **Canopus #3** is out June 17, 2020.

By Wesley Messer — I went into Canopus knowing little to nothing about it. I’d seen some preview images here and there out of context, and that’s it. The neat part is that the small amount I saw, simply did not prepare me for the experience of actually reading this title. This book is deceptively simple: it’s about Helen Sterling and her robot companion Arther exploring an unknown planet. As you go from the first issue to now, this third issue is where the mind-bending but fascinating journey takes a whole new dimension.

Before this issue, I spent the previous two chapters figuring out this new world and also getting a feel for Dave Chisolm’s style in general. I would say the first two issues were gloriously experimental and brilliant, while also an absolute mind-twister of an experience. That’s a good thing to make me constantly ponder where the plot points are coming together. Chisholm experiments constantly with layouts and storytelling, and it all culminates together in this glorious issue. It’s inventive and exciting to see what is about to happen with each page of this comic.

I also love the deep level of character work put into Helen Sterling. This is some high-end character work and I am here for it. This issue is the big one for her. There’s also a strong bit of overcoming trauma that I personally appreciate quite a bit. With Arther being a force for encouraging Helen to keep fighting until she gets the strength back to fight on herself. Their relationship is beautiful to see. It’s also helped by Chisolm’s wonderfully emotive art. Arther will at once make you smile and make you cry, and Helen’s face as she reveals her inner pain is powerful.

Diving further into this story, I’ve noted how this book is exceptional in the ways it conveys its message. The colors in this comic are beautiful and vibrant, and then seeing the lettering of this comic, it’s all just wonderful. This issue, in particular, is inventive in how it uses powerhouse lettering to convey intense moments in the story. It’s inventive and fantastic. It’s a joy to see a series willing to be so experimental. There’s one bit, in particular, that is a flashback, and it uses these muted yellow tones for the main sequence, which is amazing. As you get flashes to what is happening, panels fly along to convey intense emotion as they move along the page. It’s thrilling and powerful.

This was a big issue in the world of Canopus, and I’m excited to see what happens next. The way each issue built upon the other in this series lead to the beauty that was this issue. I highly recommend this issue, as well as tracking down and buying the other two issues along with it if you haven’t already. It’s a rich storytelling experience that I cannot recommend enough to every single one of you out there.

Overall: This series had a slow but inventive build, but with Canopus #3, everything comes together brilliantly. This issue and series in general is a must-read. Great storytelling, excellent art, and it all comes together in the best way possible. 10/10

Canopus #3 REVIEW

Canopus #3
Writer/Artist: Dave Chisolm
Publisher: Scout Comics
Price: $3.99
Fiery exploding skulls; super volcanic eruptions; interstellar travel; a mission gone horribly wrong; the ground turned to liquid; a miraculous launch; trapped half a mile beneath the surface of the planet and surrounded by otherworldly fire--the situation is looking dire for Helen and Arther as they attempt to blast their way back to the surface, Helen learns the truth behind the mission to Canopus amping up her urgency to return home.
Release Date: June 17, 2020

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Wesley Messer