It is a strange world we live in and what makes it even stranger is the crazy things we humans dream up and throw into the mixer of reality as well. For instance, the fact that the Cold War lasted as long as it did due to the carefully thought out and implemented idea of Mutually Assured Destruction was what let it do so without nuclear fire engulfing the planet is mind boggling.

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This is historical fact. We know these things happened and there is empirical evidence for them. Then go ahead and add to this the fact that both the United States and Soviet Union engaged in research into possible paranormal and psychic abilities in order to gain advantage makes the whole thing seem more absurd. Staid government bureaucrats on both sides of the iron curtain signed papers approving the research of extrasensory perception, remote viewing, and the use of psychic powers to kill enemy soldiers. None of these things have ever had a single piece of evidence confirming their existence.

In Black Mask Studios' new series "The Skeptics," created by writing and art team Tini Howard and Devaki Neogi, we dive into the strange world of Cold War psychic research. The eponymous skeptics are the three person team of Dr. Santaclara, Max and Mary, a card sharp a college student and a psychologist out to debunk the U.S. government's research into psychic phenomena.

By the midway point of the first issue they have done so admirably. Using sleight of hand, cold reading, skill and wit, the cocksure Max and timid Mary breeze through every test to confirm exactly what the government agents want to see. At the end of the test their partner Dr. Santaclara points everything out and confirms that they revealed the flaws in the tests and the researchers confirmation bias. In one simple stroke the three undo months of taxpayer funded research into hokum and prove the absurdity of psychic warfare.

Of course, we wouldn't have much of a comic book series if that was where the story ended. During one of their closing interviews Max and Mary both run off after making chili dog related excuses. In doing so the two encounter the visiting Soviet researchers and research subjects, in the process getting caught between government agents on one side and armed Soviet guards on the other. Even their admirable skills in trickery might not be able to get them out of the spot they have found themselves in.

As a first issue "The Skeptics" provides a lot of ground work and ends with a nice cliffhanger and a looming question to be answered in upcoming issues. Howard's script is quick paced and witty, with every character getting a moment to shine and a little bit of individual development, making them stand out.

Neogi's art is perfect for the time period the story takes place in, stylistically paying homage to art styles of that time and accurately depicting the world of 1960s America, from cats eye glasses to bouffant hair and flowing polka dot dresses. All of these pieces culminate in an ending that might prove the comic world is stranger than ours, but with that question remaining unanswered I will remain skeptical.

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