Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Writer: Dan Abnett
Artist/s: Dietrich O. Smith
Release Date: 4th December 2013

Ever had one of those days at work? When everything seems to fall apart stage by stage like a perfect storm of bad luck? The poor folks on the Battlestar Galactica certainly do. Even when it’s the original 70s Disco-Egyptian crew and not the grittier recent incarnation.

This self contained tale showing a day in the life (or rather a twelve hour shift in the life) of the Officer of the Watch on Galactica begins very well. Within five pages writer Abnett deftly sets up the challenges ahead and tough decisions which will need to be made over the course of the shift. The dialogue is well observed for the most part and as the plot progresses and the problems mount, the tension ratchets up steadily.

Unfortunately, while the opening seems punchy and direct, the conclusion just seems abrupt. Details are skimmed over and loose ends tied up suddenly and unconvincingly. It all feels a bit rushed and rough around the edges, like an early draft, a problem which is exacerbated by artist Dietrich Smith’s patchy work.

While the ships are well drawn and some of the space battles impressive in their scope, backgrounds and background characters are disappointingly low on detail. With some of Smith’s art, particularly close ups of characters’ faces, resembling Terry Dodson’s work, he is clearly a talent. That spark of talent makes the inconsistency in his artwork all the more frustrating.

Several panels found in this issue resemble thumbnail sketches with vast patches of empty space and blank faced characters posing in the backgrounds. If Smith brings all his artwork up to the same level of quality found in some of the panels this series could really soar. As it is it merely coasts.

That’s not to say that this issue is a total failure. There’s promise in this writer and artist pairing and several positives to be found in these pages. All that’s needed is a bit more polish.

Rating: 6/10.

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The writer of this piece was:
Guest contributor: Joe Morrison
Joe is Freelance film journalist based in Glasgow.
You can also find Joe on Twitter.