Trust is earned … not given.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Joe Brusha
Artwork: Sergio Ariño & Julius Abrera
Colors: Maxflan Araujo & Fran Gamboa with J.C. Ruiz
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
Mankind has but been wiped out, decimated by a virus that turns us into primal beasts. Only a handful of humans are left struggling to survive in a hostile world. But scientists among them have discovered a way to cure the virus. To save us they must call on monsters of our nightmares – vampires, werewolves, and worse – who hold they key to the cure. Now, one team is in a race against time to find the lord of the vampires, and convince him to help save the thing he despises most … man.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Still stuck in the dying alleyways of Chicago, Sergeant Spencer and her team wait impatiently as they watch Grub frantically trying to repair their only means of escape, with Eva and her brother discussing if they can trust these humans. It is only now does she allow herself to recall how miserable the beginning truly was, and even now if they do manage to create a cure, if it will be worth it to save the planet. She was in New York City helping rescue survivors, the ferocity of the turned was unimaginable plus they grew larger in numbers, and within less than a year the plague had decimated the world’s population to which people numbered less then ten percent. As Blaire is overwhelmed by these undeniable facts, the vampiric sister directly addresses her in a mocking fashion, bringing to the surface one relatable truth that neither wishes to acknowledge – no one wants to be hunted to extinction. However as their vehicle finally begins to show signs of life, the inescapable sounds of ricocheting gunfire echoes near their feet … they have been found by a band of hunters lead by a vicious woman who gives them no other choice than to surrender.
After being lead back to their hideout within a local zoo, this savage leader has a conversation with Sergeant Spencer, and while she listens to the woman’s plea to release them in order to create the cure, there is one phrase that sparks her interest – they will reward her with anything for their freedom. It is then when she leads Blaire through the inner depths of her lair, praising how humanity was once the dominant species on the planet before the virus conquered them, and they can be that way again. As they reach the inner sanctum of her headquarters, it is only now does the commander now see the true depravity of this lunatic, witnessing in horror the nauseating arrangement of her collection: mounted and preserved trophies of monsters she has personally hunted are now on display for all to view. After being escorted back to her comrades, the soldiers ask what became of the negotiations, to which Spencer states her honest opinion about this insane woman and the task which now lays before them: the humans will be spared if they join in the slaughter of the remaining monsters laying in wait within an adjoining cell. While both sides voice their objections, Blaire unequivocally states she will not betray her allies, but they cannot escape without a plan.
In Summary:
To be quite honest, when this series began I thought it would utilize the same formulaic foundation as any other title where ruthless foes are forced to cooperate to survive, and yet writer Joe Brusha has managed to deviate a commonplace outlook with an impressive change in the predictable stance. Instead of assuming both sides would put aside their differences, Eva raises an interesting thought against Blaire as she recalls what lead to this day: how does it feel to be hunted to extinction? We are all familiar with stories of monsters being chased down by mobs all due to their differences, and yet now this uncomfortable sentiment has been thrust upon humanity, with savage mutations being forced to chase down and kill their own kind due to a primal urge triggered by the virus. This singular thought is unnerving, but within the story it is deliciously ironic on two fronts – Sergeant Spencer would have been expected to exterminate creatures who threatened her charges, but now she is forced to ask for help from a brutal woman who did the same before the event, all for the sheer pleasure of the hunt. This mocking twist of fate is highly enjoyable in that it motivates Blaire to preserve the peace on both sides, although most may not wish to do so due to centuries of hatred. With mounting tensions continuing, it appears for the time being she is the only one motivated to keep the mission on track, even if she knows the future for humanity may not viable for herself or the planet.
As the story turns toward a darker perspective for this title, so too has the artistic team expanded to encompass this divergent prospect for grimmer imagery, thanks to the stunning illustrations of Sergio Ariño and Julius Abrera providing the reader an outstanding and explosive display of their skills. One cannot but be amazed by how fluidly Ariño opens the issue, allowing for building tension to be expressed through stoic faces with such obvious spite in the characters, giving the reader even more stress to contemplate as he expands upon the hatred once we see Spencer’s memories as to what happened within the world. But once the fuse it lit, the uneasiness cannot but build once we see the disgusting museum and what it ignites, allowing for Abrera to carry the narrative forward with his frenetic and dynamic images that encapsulate both destruction and beauty as Eva and Blaire lead the way to escape from the psychotic maniac. However if I did have a negative criticism it would be within the coloring for this issue, with the honor being split between series regular Maxflan Araujo along with help from Fran Gamboa and J.C. Ruiz who give this issue such a vibrant array of graphic pleasure. Even if the transition between coloring techniques do merge wonderfully with variations in brightness being the only signal for a change in handiwork and it allow the reader to visually enjoy the story, what prompts us to question this treat are variations in gradients of black, especially upon the costumes of Eva and the opposing leader. Whenever one of these stunning women appears on page, there is a noticeable blemish upon their costumes, which seems to be the unique aftermath of a marker being used to fill in large areas of ebony sections. Although it is not on all of the darker areas, once you know what to look for, the eye begins to search for these flaws that are amateurish when compared to the rest of the lush surroundings. However if you compare Araujo’s work in prior issues, this blemish is not seen within Mueller’s work, it only appears within Ariño’s depictions of these women. Hopefully the fault will be adjusted soon, for now it distracts from the satisfaction of the tale since you tend to look for these areas once one if found.
Monster Planet is quickly becoming a worthwhile title now that the balance of prejudices has come to the forefront – with both monsters and humans being seen as equally in danger. And yet while Blaire may now truly understand the danger of failing her mission, it is too bad humanity itself may be the cause for her likely failure, but at the same time it is this flaw that makes the upcoming stories all the more satisfying for a moral sense. With artwork that continues to amaze, this series is quickly growing in tension, so much so one cannot wait to see what happens next, all as we expect this alliance will quickly implode before it has a chance to succeed.
Grade: A-
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: January 22, 2020
MSRP: $3.99
