Which is a better way to survive: To stay and fight or retreat and die?
Creative Staff:
Writer: Jeff Parker
Art: Evan Shaner
Colorist: Veronica Gandini
Letterer: Dave Lanphear
What They Say:
City after city falls as Omnikron razes planet Earth! With no way to evacuate in the face of attack, the only course is to make a stand! Space Ghost assesses his new allies and forms the boldest plan yet to stop the terror of the galaxy. Robots, monsters, kids and mad scientists are the only hope for the future!
Content (please note that portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Omnikron now has full reign over the remnants of humanity: The ability to teleport into a massive population center, consume and then retreat gives it all the creature needs to fulfill its singular purpose – to absorb and then leave. That has what has occurred in the past, allowing this monstrosity to devour entire planets of the biosphere and continue on its path of destruction. Space Ghost once faced this abomination before and now hopefully with his help, the heroes of Earth will succeed where others have failed. But as the saviors of the planet attempt to rally their forces and the minds of the world’s greatest scientists try to create something to pacify the behemoth, all Jonny and Hadji can do is document the moment, in case they fail or against all odds … survive.
The Galactic Protector knows that the people of this world cannot flee their doomed land and the only choice they have before them is to face this ceaseless personification of hunger. While they may have the help of the Herculoids, Frankenstein Jr., the Impossibles, Birdman, Mightor and even Dr. Zin, what the space guardian is most impressed by is that even those who were once considered enemies now chose to defend this planet. But as this general surveys his troops, Tarra warns that Gleep can sense the coming of Omnikron – it is time to prepare for their attack. The boy once named Ty opens a new portal and the servant of Ra attempts to lure the beast to their location, the plan is now in motion. But now that they have committed themselves to this path, can this band of protectors even assume they have a chance against something which has destroyed countless worlds? There is only way to find out … and with any luck, they will live to fight another day.
In Summary:
It may have taken ten issues of Future Quest to reach this point, but now writer Jeff Parker has prepared the stage for this ultimate, earth shaking, cataclysmic event which will change the world as we know it. The heroes have been assembled, the final boss is ready to devour every remnant of humanity and the military is useless against it. It is now up to Space Ghost and the band of heroes to stop this menace, but of course, this sounds like every plot line from any corny B-movie with this set up. However Parker does not take the easy way out to conclude this story, he builds the narrative into one with Jonny and Hadji documenting the moment, almost as if they are visually saying goodbye to their friends; but it is the space guardian which alerts them to the one fact which no other world had in their confrontation against Omnikron: Earth has Hope in defeating the monster. It is this underlying determination for survival which grounds the battle and also fuels the saviors’ need to defend this planet, their one and only home. How can you ask for anything else? And while this courage to fight the good fight may seem like a typical tale for the underdog, Parker also feeds the audience with moments which seem to fit more into a spy movie, giving everyone something to please them, not matter what their perspective tastes.
But of course it is the fantastic artwork of Evan Shaner which gives us the extra punch to this blockbuster issue, almost as if he took the nostalgia of the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoons, added a Hollywood budget and then threw everything out the window – no holds barred. Colorist Veronica Gandini has now become the cinematographer for this escapade, elevating Shaner’s directorial ambitions into something which I would imagine could instantly become a standard for this new genre. From the first page the dual set up this doomsday scenario, giving us the scope of Omnikron’s destruction, swallowing up any idea that resistance is an option; this feeling of hopelessness makes that singular splash feel like the opening scene from your favorite drama, setting the mood in what we know will be a spectacular onslaught to our eyes. The documentary by Jonny and Hadji feels like an in-field reporter within the war zone, the pair entrenched and giving us their prospective – and it only ignites that sputtering fuse. And that solemn panel of the cast standing in silence … what a sobering lead in for what is to come.
And then Shaner releases the floodgates: nothing is held back for the titanic battle as the panoramic scenery explodes with color and visual delights thanks to Gandini’s magnificent skills in that tonal palette. She shows us why this issue succeeds with the realism of awe inspiring environments plus sensational scenery and fantastical elements which invoke breath taking sights and sounds. All of these illustrations only make the audience hear those voices from the animation echo in your head as you inhale each incredible page. You have to smile as Spider Bots creep along the rocky surfaces as they attempt to battle such an intimidating foe as Omnikron, the double page spreads make the heroes seem dwarfed when compared to that beast. I could not but shake my head in amazement, trying to glimpse into each phenomenal layout, seeking to find what I missed on a cursory glimpse – the details are wondrous as each character fights for survival. I kept expecting Space Ghost or Birdman to announce their presence with their battle cry echoing into the distance, only making each ocular treat all the more pleasing. This is one time in which I wish the story was fully narrated, complete with sound effects, full orchestral Jonny Quest themed music and those cartoon touches which harken to sitting in front of the television on Saturday morning, not wanting this adventure to stop. But unfortunately, we all know that all good things must come to an end.
If this is how Parker, Shaner and Gandini set up the cliffhanger for what will be the finale for this first story arc, I cannot think of how they will end it! Each story which lead up to this issue just built up the suspense and now that we are near the end, the prospect of it closing is a shame. The characters have been so beautifully incorporated that they appear natural and now I cannot wait to experience the conclusion. A giant space monster against the heroes of Earth, the ending is inevitable, but how it is executed will be what will keep me wanting for more. Guess I’ll just have to re-read the previous issues until April arrives … and it won’t be here soon enough!
Grade: A+
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: DC Comics
Release Date: March 22, 2017
MSRP: $3.99
