Southern Cross #8 (2015) plunges readers back into the eerie and disorienting world of Becky Cloonan and Andy Belanger’s atmospheric science fiction horror, published by Image Comics. As the second arc continues to unfold, this issue further develops the unsettling mystery that surrounds the Southern Cross universe—one filled with ancient forces, broken psyches, and the inescapable grip of grief and corruption.
Following the fallout of the first arc's dramatic conclusion, the focus now shifts toward new characters and a deeper understanding of the sinister power source known as Zone Oil. With each page, the series broadens its mythology, introducing fresh perspectives while keeping the unnerving tone that defined earlier issues. Cloonan’s writing remains tight, character-driven, and deeply psychological—centred around flawed individuals struggling to understand the strange phenomena linked to the Southern Cross and its corporate overseers.
In issue #8, paranoia simmers just beneath the surface. Conversations are loaded with subtext, and motivations remain murky. The narrative leaves breadcrumbs of cosmic horror while refusing to offer full clarity, forcing readers to piece together the mystery alongside the characters. The pacing is deliberate, favouring dread and unease over action—perfectly in line with the series' slow-burn tension.
Visually, Andy Belanger continues to deliver gritty, architectural panels that make the environments feel oppressive and decayed. Whether depicting control rooms or psychological visions, his style lends a weighty realism to even the most surreal moments. Lee Loughridge’s use of limited, desaturated colours punctuated by sharp flashes of neon reinforces the comic’s haunting mood—turning mundane space travel into a dreamscape on the verge of collapse.
Southern Cross #8 builds on the rich lore introduced earlier in the series, refusing to offer easy answers while pulling the reader further into its terrifying orbit. Fans of moody, cerebral science fiction will appreciate how it balances narrative progression with emotional depth and visual dread.
This comic comes sealed in a high-quality, acid-free protective sleeve with a rigid backing board, ensuring its long-term preservation. It will be dispatched promptly in secure book mailers, offering fast UK shipping and durable packaging suitable for any collector.
Southern Cross #8 (2015) is another gripping entry in this haunting space-horror saga, delivering atmosphere, mystery, and character-driven storytelling in equal measure.
Tags: Comicbook, Southern Cross, 2015, Image, Becky Cloonan, Andy Belanger, Lee Loughridge, Serge Lapointe