Mysteries of Love in Space (2019) #1

DC Anthology Specials

by James Tynion IV (Writer), Kyle Higgins (Writer), Saladin Ahmed (Writer)

Sometimes love can make you feel like you’re from another planet...but what if you actually were? Join Superman, The New Gods, Green Lantern, Starro, Hawkgirl and even the Teen Titans’ new sensation Crush for eight tales of romance that will whisk you to the moon and back!

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Sequential Art, Comic Book, Graphic Novels, Romance, Anthologies

85 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 30, 2019

About the author

Prior to his first professional work, Tynion was a student of Scott Snyder's at Sarah Lawrence College. A few years later, he worked as for Vertigo as Fables editor Shelly Bond's intern. In late 2011, with DC deciding to give Batman (written by Snyder) a back up feature, Tynion was brought in by request of Snyder to script the back ups he had plotted. Tynion would later do the same with the Batman Annual #1, which was also co-plotted by Snyder. Beginning in September 2012, with DC's 0 issue month for the New 52, Tynion will be writing Talon, with art by Guillem March. In early 2013 it was announced that he'd take over writing duties for Red Hood and the Outlaws in April.

Tynion is also currently one of the writers in a rotating team in the weekly Batman Eternal series.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 3 out of 5]

(B) 74% | More than Satisfactory
Notes: Violets are blue, roses are red, just anti-affection, like romance is dead: introspection, rejection and heartache instead.

*Progress updates: First Half ◦ Second Half

[Artemy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is yet another seasonal collection of short stories from DC themed around Valentine’s day, this time mostly taking place in space. Most of the stories were quite good and sweet, with only one or two that were boring and forgettable, and one or two truly great ones (James Tynion’s New Gods story and Jeff Loveness’ Lois & Clark one). This issue also does something unusual by reprinting a classic Silver Age Adam Strange story written by Gardner Fox and drawn by Mike Sekowsky, which was unsurprisingly very silly but still fun to see as an added bonus. Overall, this is yet another enjoyable seasonal collection, and I’m glad DC are doing such a good job with these lately.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

Die Stories haben mich persönlich leider überhaupt nicht angesprochen, schade.

[Cristian · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 hits: Tynion's, Loveness' (!!), Higgins' and Gillespie's. An average one by Shea. And two misfires by Castellucci and Ahmed. In total: quite charming and worth the money.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not a huge fan of comics—but I try and read some here and there, and this one has been recommended to me a few days ago.

It was cute, and honestly nice to have different stories all mixed together centering about love in space, but some were a little depressing too unfortunately.

3 ⭐️

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories are a mish mash of great to what on earth!? What they got amazingly right was the Superman and Lois Lane story. It more than made up for the ones I didn't enjoy.

[Matthew Gilman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bit of a mixed bag but the good definitely outweighs the bad, though it did start of a bit ropey for me with the New God's story. Luckily Kilowog brought it back somewhat (helps I'm a fan of green lantern related things) with a behind the scenes look at his life in and alongside the corps.
The biggest surprise of the bunch came from the Lois Lane and Superman tale "Glasses". Whilst rather familiar territory in a way it showed good understanding of the characters and their relationship, their love, which was definitely good for this valentine's day special, and one of the happier endings to the stories here.
As well as those I really enjoyed Space Cabbie in "GPS I Love You" and Crush in "Crushed".
All in all nothing to major or groundbreaking but some good tales and character work led to an enjoyable read.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

More like this, please.
I get how much a gamble it must be to do anthologies like this in comics but they are so much fun. Zoom from 'Glasses,' a touching meditation on Lois and Clark and then zag over to a fun Bizarro story.

Absolute delight.

[Monita Roy Mohan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is DC Comics’ Valentine’s Day collection of short stories all centred around romance.

Read my full review at Vocal.

[Joe Crawford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly it might have been a 4 star read but most of the stories just left me feeling sad.

[Colin Oaten · Rating 4 out of 5]

DC Universe Valentines anthology with a quite touching Lois Lane tale.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

all the stars in the world simply bc of the clois story, it’s pure perfection

[natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

CLOIS 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[Eskana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy these DC comics seasonal specials... Even though I typically don't like short stories, these are different: just little snapshots of heroes' lives. This one came out around St. Valentine's Day, and so all the stories are love-themed. But that doesn't mean they are all sappy and romantic! I appreciate the variety of short stories here, and which were all enjoyable and well-written for just short stories!

The volume includes:
- An Apokaliptan Love Story: a rebel on Apokolips will do anything to fight back against Darkseid, but does she really know who her true love/rebel leader is? Probably the weakest story of the bunch, but whatever...
-Old Scars, Fresh Wounds: Kilowog has trouble balancing a personal life with his work training new recruits for the Green Lanterns. As a teacher, I can relate.
-Backwards Hearts: Bizarro finds his true love. Honestly, this one was pretty cute, even though I usually find Bizarro annoying.
-Galentine's Day: Hawkgirl has recently broken up with her immortal love, Hawkman, and finds herself on monitor duty at the Hall of Justice while everyone else is out celebrating the holiday. Luckily for her, a disaster arises, and her friends Stargirl and GL Jessica Cruz are there to see her through both situations! I liked this one, shining a little light out there on all the singles.
- GPS I Love You: We get to see just how much Space Cabbie loves his cab... probably a bit reminiscent of "Her" (although I never saw that movie.)
-Crushed: Lobo's daughter Crush gets to meet her wrestling hero, another alien, and finds that the girl has just as much trouble fitting in. Probably the story that has the least to do with love...
-Glasses: Lois Lane examines how she saw Clark Kent before she knew him, and then the real him, and then the real real him, but at the same time how he's really just Clark, her best friend. Probably the sweetest story, and it shines a bit on who Superman is, rather than just who he shows himself as.
-The Planet and the Pendulum: A classic Golden-age style story featuring Adam Strange... this one was pretty confusing to read, but I like Adam Strange, so I rolled with it.