It is always darkest before the dawn … or is it?
Creative Staff:
Writer: Jeff Parker
Art: Ron Randall
Colorist: Veronica Gandini
Letterer: Dave Lanphear
What They Say:
Not since the time of Mightor has planet Earth seen titans battle like this! The towering mechanical might of Frankenstein Jr. hurls megavoltage at the largest creature ever to stride the planet’s surface! Race Bannon fights with power no Terran has ever possessed! The Herculoids arrive from the far reaches of time and space to join the fray! And then, it all goes wrong…
Content (please note that portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The Herculoids have found the way back through the vortex thanks to Ty, but unfortunately, their first action is attacking Frankenstein Jr. Gloop manages to ooze its way into the internal mechanisms and sabotage the gargantuan robot, however, what Tarra did not know was that the kids were still inside. Buzz, Jonny, Hadji, Jan and Blip are thrown into disarray thanks to the polymorph’s interference and they are left with no choice but emergency ejection. Although they may have found temporary safety, the battle outside is still progressing as the two separate forms of Omnikron continue on parallel fronts. But as the heroes begin the counterattack, the monstrosity retreats back through the energy portal, with the new Mightor close in pursuit, unaware of the true danger he pursues.
Now lost in the space between dimensions, Ty is confused as what to do next, until he remembers Birdman’s lesson – thus propelling him into the past and coming face to face with his predecessor. The original teaches the teenager about the history of their powers and how he has not even scratched the surface of their true abilities. But as they reminisce as to the origins, the true enemy continues to ravage Earth. Omnikron has managed to learn control and thus it allows unrestricted transport around the globe, unleashing attacks on the most populated areas. While the heroes attempt to contrive a strategy for defeating this menace, Space Ghost has recovered, allowing them a glimmer of hope for themselves and perhaps humanity. But is it too late for this savior to impart his wisdom to this doomed planet?
In Summary:
Jeff Parker gives us the ultimate doomsday scenario: Omnikron is spreading chaos across the globe, absorbing anything and everything in its path and it seems like the heroes are helpless to stop it. As they are forced to leave once it retreats, it appears that all hope is lost until the man in white makes his presence known. We always knew Space Ghost would make a comeback – after all this series began with the Space Force’s hopeless fight against that beast and now it seems that he will lead the charge to the ultimate showdown. But if I did have something negative against this issue, it would not enough white knuckle action and too much sentimentality in the story! While I can understand the need to condense all of the regret for the failures of the Herculoids and Space Ghost, it bogged down the main premise a bit too much for my taste. But on the opposing side of that same coin, now that all of the apologies are done, we have more too look forward to in the approaching finale. Just hope that all of this hype will live up to the complexity which Parker has woven into the story.
But what a way to create drama within this issue – let Ron Randall have free reign with creating a fantastically wild and intensely exciting environment, and then allow Veronica Gandini to enshroud those surroundings with her wildly ambitious coloring for this amazing canvas. The all encompassing dark overtones on the pages help to draw the reader into this battle and therefore concentrates their view upon any anomalies when they appear; flashes of energy, explosions, white expressiveness of an amazed sclera, or vivid costumes of the heroes, all of these elements draw the viewers’ focus from the action to where the story needs them to be … in the right place and proper time. However, when I first saw that opening panel, I quite honestly thought: Why is Groot in a DC Comics title? The muscular presence of Iggo the rock ape punching off Frankenstein Junior’s head appeared to be too skinny, almost as if the character we were introduced in the cartoon was replaced by something else. But the stunning nostalgia contained within this narrative overwhelms everything else – the scenes almost seemed like they were ripped from the animated source, but then modernized with such gritty realism that you wouldn’t be surprised if this was a Hollywood special effects blockbuster. From beginning to end, the cinematic panels and their phenomenal set dressings keep us riveted to our seats, opening new ventures with the turn of each page, not releasing us until the cliffhanger of a splash ending.
The end is near and with it we are totally engrossed by this inspiring tale of humanity trying to survive at all costs – an underdog story in the truest sense of the term. Future Quest has been a roller coaster ride from the very start, but for now, this straightaway lulls us into a sense of peace. While we may think we know what is coming next, Parker and his team will no doubt hold out the big guns until the end … resulting in an enormous splash into the rushing torrent, making us scream like a little girl from the top of the hill until we impact with a spine jarring thud at the bottom of the chasm. We will then laugh – knowing that this sensation left us only wanting more.
Grade: A
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: DC Comics
Release Date: February 22, 2017
MSRP: $3.99
