Journeys end…..and begin.
Dingess decides to change things with this issue….and by
that, I mean we finally have a ‘close’ without danger in sight (though it’s
never far away).
Roberts though is the star of this issue, as his artwork is
the best he’s done so far, juggling monsters and humans in equal measure –
alongwith some of the best facial artwork in this series.
The character moments are the star here though, and there
are some great ones.
SPOILERS FOLLOW…………
Bullock and Russel, the two ‘victims’ of last issue are
still alive, though definitely not well – they have sore spots everywhere just
like Hardy before them.
Clark and his medical team remove each mosquito from their
cocoon and thankfully, both men are saved – though not without some permanent
disfigurements.
The chemistry between Boniface and Lewis is the highlight of
this series (alongside Sacagawea with anyone) and they take focus once again –
as she argues about Lewis’ failed methods of capturing the Ranidea.
Using an ignorant Hardy as bait (much to general amusement
thanks to his attempted rape a few issues ago), Lewis manages to harpoon the
enormous frog when it manages to bite off Hardy’s left leg after it is bled to
draw in the creature.
The Ranidea though decides to submerge and takes the ship
with it – until Boniface let’s go of the rope holding the harpoon. Not willing
to let the beast and their only chance at freedom escape, Lewis does an
audacious underwater duel with the frog.
After some anxious moments, Lewis tames it to widespread
astonishment. Not with safety assured, and a revengeful Boniface treating
Hardy, Lewis and Clark contemplate their next step in peace.
That is, until the next step.
Boniface, Hardy and Lewis were the stars of this issue and
Roberts gave them justice as we saw some great artwork conveying their
emotions.
Lewis’ guilt and feelings of failure when Boniface
reprimands him about the Ranidea plays directly into his reckless bravado and
gives us another side of the scientist – one who’s dangerous when pushed to a
corner. Though his actions feel a little out-of-character right now, as if a
resolution was needed for the Lewis-Ranidea conflict.
I don’t know what role Hardy will play in the future, but he
is a great example of how the people who seem to represent the best of humanity
can often be the worst in action.
Dingess and Roberts conspire to make even the littlest
moments count. At the end, we even see the dead frog lying cold and forgotten
even as the crew marvel at their journey.
It’s over for the Ranidea, but Lewis and Clark….that’s
another story.
SPOILERS END…………
With some great character moments, amazing artwork and all
around awesomeness, this issue counts among one of the strongest of this series
brief run.
Looking forward to more focus on Sacagawea, who has been the
‘enigmatic badass’ upto now.
So, I give it 9.0 out of 10.
+Some great character moments
+Subtle facial artwork conveys a lot
+The overall art is great
-The final resolution is a little rushed and convoluted
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