Beautifully executed, Southern Cross is every bit as anxiety inducing as expected. The suspense builds ever so slowly throughout the issue and, assuming the rest of the book didn't grab you, the very last page will leave you desperate for answers and #2. Read Full Review

Southern Cross is a small, intimate and thrilling story told on a massive scale, using its outstanding first issue to lay the foundations for what promises to be a truly riveting series. Read Full Review

One of my favorite comics from 2014 was "Kill Shakespeare: The Mask of Night," and I knew that artist Andy Belanger was going to do wonders visually here in "Southern Cross." What's amazing here is how Belanger kicks his talents up a notch. The camera always seems to be moving as Alex makes her way from one panel to the next. Like a tracking shot, your eyes will follow from top to bottom of the page as Alex makes the trip to her quarters. Read Full Review

Becky Cloonan, Andy Belanger and Lee Loughridge have created a story that is intense and unnerving, but at it's heart is an emotional story of a girl trying to find out what happened to her sister. Read Full Review

Absolutely. It's a perfect blend of herosim, heart, science fiction, and mystery. The art is really good-looking, and this book can only get better as the creators settle into the story. This is one series you won't want to miss the train on. Read Full Review

A good first issue, asking many questions Read Full Review

This is certainly a "first issue" and Southern Cross is definitely a genre book, and not without the tropes and clichs that come with that, but followers of weird science tales should embrace that because Southern Cross has all the pieces in place to become a fan-favorite. Read Full Review

It's a suspenseful murder-mystery featuring an intriguing protagonist, enigmatic sub-plots, and a well-crafted support cast. It's something of a slow burner, but focusses more on the long game of plot rather than the quick thrills of action scenes. Read Full Review

I've always been a fan of space exploration, and this title really excels at making me feel like I'm exploring something new, even if someone else has been there first. The world, the story, and the characters are unfolding around us, instead of just being there for us to read about. I love that, and I endorse any comic that can pull it off. Pick this up, it has a lot to offer. Whether you're into space exploration, or mystery solving, or just a little escapism, I don't think you can go wrong here. Read Full Review

Southern Cross is a page turner to be sure and this first issue is a strong hook that looks like it will be reeling you in slowly, like a deep-sea fisherman, until it lifts you out of the depths of the deep blue (or black in this case) and into the bright light and choking fresh air of the boat. I for one am stoked to see where it will go from here. Read Full Review

SOUTHERN CROSS shows a lot of promise and this issue gives the reader just enough to keep them roped in for future issues. However, this issue drops a lot of information on the reader to set this world up. It's a necessary evil for the book, and in the long run, it will do the series justice, but some may find it a bit much. Regardless, this is a series I'd highly recommend checking out if you like your science fiction a bit more grounded with a dash of mystery. Read Full Review

Overall, Southern Cross is series that manages to rise above the seemingly endless parade of sci-fi horror titles hitting the shelves these days, making its mark with a truly unique feel and a brilliantly intriguing protagonist. Count me in for the foreseeable future. Read Full Review

Image launches what looks to be another solid sci-fi title. Check this out for at least the next few issues to give it a fair shot, if it doesnt immediately captivate, which it should. Read Full Review

There are elements of Southern Cross #1 that didn't strike me so positively. The plot of the first issue is so eerily similar to that of Roche Limit as to feel redundant and Belanger's splash panels never seem to fulfill their promise, but those flaws cannot detract from the debut's greatest strength. Southern Cross #1 composes the mood and experience of isolation through narration, composition, and colors. It summons an experience with which I am deeply familiar with an honesty that I find to be stunning. Somehow, Cloonan, Belanger, and Loughridge have brought that experience to life on the comics page, and for that they should be applauded. Read Full Review

“Southern Cross” #1 is by no means bad but it does leave something to be desired. Alex Braith is a well introduced character and the bigger mystery of what happened to her sister is touched on but I wanted a little bit more from this as a way of introducing the story. There's clearly a sci fi element at play but this issuewould have been so much better if it were looked at just a tad more. Belanger and Loughridge do such an amazing job that this is absolutely a must buy for their art alone. Read Full Review

The first issue of Southern Cross is really good, but there's absolutely some flaws to it. But, there's more than enough to make me want to come back and see where the mystery goes from here. Read Full Review

This was an interesting first issue of what looks to be a compelling sci-fi mystery. Pick it up at your LCS or digital platform now! Read Full Review

Its too early to tell what Southern Cross will turn into as a series, but there are many good things going on so far. It establishes a compelling and relatively original premise while also setting up sympathetic main character and a main plot mystery. Thats a lot to accomplish in a first issue. The art style of Belanger may not be too every readers liking, but he has some stand-out moments. Overall, Southern Cross #1 is a promising start. Read Full Review

In the end, I think the best technique for a #1 is to almost immediately present what makes your story stand outand I dont think Southern Cross #1 did that very successfully.The art is uniquely beautiful and probably worth the price of the issue all its own, but the writing doesnt quite hit the same heights. Of course were just beginning and its possible that this could blossom into an adventure unlike anything weve seen before, but this first installment hasnt presented anything to indicate that. Read Full Review

On the visual end, Belanger's lines also carry a division to them. On the one hand, his world building and scenery is top notch, his Cross a wonder both inside and out. Unfortunately, that same touch doesn't extend quite so far with Alex herself, the character surprisingly flat given her supposedly conflicting emotions. Lee Loughridge's cold palette only enhances this muted feeling, with the book's one real glimmer of life saved for the very end. Read Full Review

Southern Cross #1 is technically sound, but it's unlikable lead takes away from a gorgeously drawn visuals Read Full Review

Southern Cross #1 may not be the most exciting of opening issues, with the plot working at a rather slow pace. Nevertheless, the intriguing characteristics of protagonist, Alex Braith, and the mysterious overtone certainly make this a series that I'll return to, and one that should be given a try. Read Full Review

There is a lot to like in Southern Cross #1, but there isn't too much substance. It's heavy on setting the tone and does little else aside from establishing characters. Fortunately, Cloonan does well at making the characters and setting compelling. This could be a great story, and readers will surely find the series rewarding later on, but this issue doesn't do enough to make itself a must-pull. Read Full Review

Ultimately, I think Southern Cross is worth a look. It's not the perfect first issue, but it is very professionally done and displays a lot of textual and visual talent. I have faith that Cloonan, whose character work in Gotham Academyhas been great, will make the characters in this book more enjoyable as time goes on. This series lays a solid foundation for what appears to be an intimate story set in a vast set of worlds, and I look forward to seeing how it moves forward from here. Read Full Review

Overall, Southern Cross has two creators who have a proven record of strong storytelling; however, this first issue just seemed to be too bogged down with world-building to build sufficient tension and connect with readers on an emotional level. No doubt, it's the sort of story that will need some time to get its feet firmly established, but once it does, expect Cloonan and Belanger to fully flex their storytelling muscles. Read Full Review

The story Becky Cloonan presents in her opening issue is very “middle of the pack”. The story flows well, but doesn't do much to excite the reader. The same can be said about Andy Belanger's art. While he does a terrific job depicting the Southern Cross and it's travel through space, his character design doesn't do much to impress. Read Full Review

"Southern Cross" #1 is off to a slightly rough start, and that's a real shame. Cloonan's work on "Gotham Academy" has been a real joy, but "Southern Cross" #1 isn't capturing that same spark of energy. Maybe future issues will pick up the pace and excitement level but, for now, this is a book that is trying to succeed but hasn't quite stuck the landing. Read Full Review

Not the greatest #1 but good enough to set up a story that has some mystery and intrigue. The only real downside is I'm guessing it will take a while to get to the bottom of the mystery and we'll have to read a lot of filler in the meantime.

Well-crafted atmosphere and setting, beautiful artwork, and just enough of a hint of mystery to keep the reader hooked.

This book gets off on a strong foot if you are an an of deep mystery, noir or psychoanalytic themes.
Clearly taking the approach of the slow burn, as many first issues do, the whole concept is establishment and setup. They mystery of the main character seeking the truth over her sister's death is the overt tale. What is layered within the story is the mystery of Alex herself. Through a few key facts Cloonan laces in this idea of an anger filled, claustrophobic ball of nerves who has been locked away on a month and a half trip to a far off moon.
Even with the central mystery of how Alex's sister died, dynamics have been set for friction with many aboard. Those who come to this book looking for an obvious science fiction adventure are not going to find what they seek. Those looking for a carefully contructed puzzle will be rewarded.
The backgrounds are highly detailed and give nods to a corporate culture controlled future. The facial renderings can be inconsistent, however provide lots of expression. The pallet of colors are muted and highly textured to add to the oppressive feeling of those who are downtrodden or oppressed under a system out of their control. more

Interesting