The enemy of my enemy is my friend … maybe?
Creative Staff:
Writers: Michael Dolce & Talent Caldwell
Artwork: Tony Moy
Colors: Jorge Cortes
Letters: Michael Dolce
What They Say:
There are people on this Earth that do not belong. It’s up to a Chicago detective and a covert, interdimensional police force to send them back where they came from.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
With everything collapsing around them, a desperate Franklin is determined to find a way to stop the deterioration of all that he cares about, but time is running out. His comrades relate the state of their world: people vanishing, buildings crumbling and even whole continents are just … gone. With nothing left to lose, their leader sees only one option left to them, and that is to attack the Keepers’ base which they call the Epicenter. However there is one major hurdle which they must overcome – they don’t have enough followers and the chance to recruit more is dwindling quickly. After his last excursion into the other world, Hodge knows the others will be on the lookout for him, but luckily there is another who can serve the same purpose, Detectives Combs. If he can find his doppelganger and replace him, the way will be open for more to join their cause, and he must not fail, no matter what the cost.
But even as their plans unfold, Nate has his own goal to follow after the Keepers made the foolish choice of attacking Chicago Police Headquarters, all to retrieve their acting director. Although the extraction may have been successful, the overly zealous method also attracted too from attention to the outside world, and she berates the crew for their carelessness. However, as Kate later acknowledges their well-meaning, if misplaced intentions, the displacement doorway activates again, and with unexpected results as it ejects the nosy Detective McCallister into their midst. Now in an unfamiliar environment and not knowing what to do, plus the added hostility of ricocheting gunfire, the hapless man has no other option than to grab the nearest technician and hold her hostage. Considering his new position and the risk of shooting precious equipment, neither side can advance, but how long will this standoff last?
In Summary:
Now that we have finally reached the elusive midpoint of The Mainstream, it appears some important details have declared, but at the same time, it still seems more essential elements are being hidden, to be uncovered at a later time. While I can appreciate writers Michael Dolce and Talent Caldwell not wanting to betray the biggest secrets thus as to tempt readers in coming back, there are only two more issues left in the series, so hopefully, they will not wait until the last minute to disclose – how and/or why the story happened. Without this background, the audience is left to speculate: how Nate is connected to everything, where does this Hodge come from and why the Keepers are so determined to capture both of them. Although the narrative can progress without these tidbits of information, you are left wondering how everything is connected. And though some people may like the stunning reveal near the end of the story, there are some, like myself, who prefer to piece the clues together themselves, thereby allowing for a sense of accomplishment in solving some major mystery. But for now, it appears we will have to wait, much to our displeasure, until the factors are eked out, musing how the narrative will unfold in all of its undeniable secrecy.
This issue is a pleasure to watch unfold as we become fascinated by Tony Moy’s captivating illustrations, the rough and tenacious nature of his depictions especially make you take notice within this issue, due to the grim intensity unfolding within the story. However what draws the reader’s attention to the images are Jorge Cortes’ impactful colors, the harshness of sinister shadows only serve to anchor his mastery of the palette, using both rich organics and the excitement of the electronic tones. Every panel communicates the ominous nature of this climax, the chiseled jaws of the men versus the determined expressions of the women, both make an equal impact upon this bothersome future. And though the narrative does progress slowly, this excellent artistic team does not allow us to forget the danger contained therein, allowing us to focus on each panel as their pictures telling a compelling tale of desperation and clarity.
As we reach the eye of this oncoming storm, there is still an uncertainty which remains as who will survive and what will die within The Mainstream. Although we have been deemed worthy of witnessing some of the mysteries, there are some which still taunt the reader to continue for some morbid fascination as to what will happen next. And while it is the amazing artwork and colors which keep up coming back, the narrative is slowly growing into something which smolders with fascination, but all the while it teases its demise without any substantial fuel to keep the bonfire roaring in angry response.
Grade: B+
Age Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: June 27, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
