Writer: Zack Whedon
Penciller: Andy MacDonald
Colorist: Dan Jackson
Cover Artist: Massimo Carnevale
The first story arc in Dark Horse’s thrilling reimagining of the Terminator franchise reaches its stunning climax!
All the fighting Kyle Reese has lived through has led to this moment, the most important of his life. On the precipice of the mission that will send Kyle to his fate in 1984, his friend Ben has discovered something in 2029 that makes Kyle’s trip a life-changing moment for Ben as well. Will the future be rewritten once again, and can Ben do anything to help prevent Judgment Day?
* Written by WGA Award nominee Zack Whedon (Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, Fringe, Deadwood)!
Follow behind the cut for my thoughts on the issue.
I’m not very big on licensed material because often times I don’t “get it.” I’m one of those people who believe that in most cases, the comic companion to anything doesn’t really measure up. But there are always exceptions to rules, and Zack Whedon’s Terminator is definitely an excellent example.
Merging pretty much seamlessly into the larger Terminator mythos established by the films, the final issue is much more Ben’s story than it is anyone else. We see exactly where and when this series fits in with everything else, but after last issue’s twist the stakes were raised a little higher. This issue finalizes our first tale perfectly and leaves me as the reader highly anticipating where the next story goes. And as all good cliffhangers go, it leaves me asking questions to help further my interest in the book.
The story is great, and Whedon’s writing is great. While I’m a little confused on certain elements and unclear scenes (such as why a Terminator would approach Ben and Paige, leave, and come back to kill someone), I think it’s safe to assume it is probably going to have an explanation (albeit dark) later, what with time travel being such a prevalent factor in the series. Whedon’s writing teamed up with MacDonald’s art, though? That’s just fantastic. They make an excellent duo, and the book feels very stylish in it’s art style.
In all honesty, my major complaint is that this was too short. I suppose this is one of those silly arguments, but I think the book was so good it could have easily gone a few more issues before ending the volume. Call me a selfish fan, but I would have loved to see some more stories surrounding these characters and their interactions before switching to a new dimension. This isn’t to say that for the three issues delivered, the story didn’t hold up. It held up wonderfully. I just desperately want more.
Whedon’s Terminator book has ended up so good that, at the end of the day, I am ready to declare this book as a definite hidden gem. For fans of the Terminator series, this is a definite do not miss book, and I’m excited for it’s return in September. A great start to what I will happily assume is going to be a great series.
Final Verdict: 9.2 – Buy
