Black Badge #1 asks us to trust in it the same way adults ask children to trust in their ability to raise them. At heart, this story is about a fragile world, full of dangers no child should ever encounter but here we are the thrill is in the contrasts and in the suspension of your disbelief. This story is about the panic that shoots through your mind as you swim through the pitch-black cave, hoping this isn't all some terrible trick, hoping there is fresh air just beyond your reach, and that this test will be over soon. I trust we will not be disappointed.

I do find myself wondering, though, if MST3Ks firmly established place as a nerd-culture touchstone doesnt inform my experience more than Id like to admit. After all, I'm a sucker for nostalgia from my home planet. Its hard to gauge how newcomers to MST3K will respond to this particularly zany style of humor, but to me this feels engaging and bright. I expect new fans will find it easy to dive in, and those of us who still have episodes on cassette tapewill have a great time with it too. The Satellite of Lovecruises onward. I feel good about giving this comic my highest rating so far here at Comics Bulletin because MST3K: The Comic does what comics are meant to do " surprise, delight, engage, and sail us far away in our minds. Welcome aboard.