Sometimes … secrets are meant to stay in the dark.
Creative Staff:
Writers: Hans Rodionoff & Adam F. Goldberg
Artwork: Alan Otero
Colors: Leonardo Paciarotti
Letters: Carlos M. Mangual
What They Say:
Do you believe we are alone in the universe or are there other lifeforms out there waiting for contact? Is the government keeping them a secret from the public? Is it for our own good, or for something far more sinister? Find out the truth here, as we storm the conspiracy head on!
WARNING: This series may very well change how you look at life as we know it.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Outside the prominent barrier surrounding the military facility known as Area 51, a rowdy group of demonstrators, alien believers and conspiracy theorists prepare themselves for when they will begin The Storming: a nocturnal event when the assembled will hopefully rush past the guards and find out what the government is hiding within this secretive facility. As the exuberant leader outlines their plan and prepares his followers with an inspiring chant to rally them, the appointed time arrives and all begin their hectic march toward the armed sentries with no intention of stopping – until the charismatic figurehead pulls short of the gate and sheepishly greet the intimidating men. The armed soldiers see no entertainment in this charade and calmly instruct the gathered to return to their cars and leave the premises, to which the smiling commander playfully surrenders his authority and informs this crowd the first round of drinks are his treat. However one group stares back at the installation, with men on both sides exchanging a knowing wink, acknowledging this may not be the end of this comical fiasco.
The next morning at the Little A’Le’Inn within Rachel, Nevada, the last group who left discuss the failure of the operation, and yet Bryce is optimistic for their next visit to the base, surprising his friends with a set of high-clearance security badges. While they question how he was able to acquire such promising identification, he instead regales them with a story of his past military experience and how one of his past comrades is now a guard at Area 51, thus opening the door to a possible entry point. As night comes, the trio find themselves driving toward the facility, however this excursion begins with a rough start as no one can take the intrusion seriously, even joking this plan will never work and making light of the names and backgrounds their leader has provided at great risk. It is only after he reminds them they will be trespassing upon a government base, where the guards will not hesitate to shoot or arrest them on site, do they finally take this trip in earnest. But after they approach the front gate and are waved through, it is only then does he remind them the danger will only multiply the farther they go into this forbidden post.
In Summary:
With memories of the first series still fresh in my mind for being not what was expected, I sincerely hoped this sequel would be more fulfilling, and yet the premier issue does not grant the best of hopes into thinking this title will be any better than its predecessor. Although writers Hans Rodionoff and Adam F. Goldberg begin with an interesting foundation by loosely basing the narrative on a real life Facebook event called Storm Area 51, they then carry the idea past that initial failure into something which has potential, the story still has a formulaic premise since this is not the first time anyone has tried to explore the forbidden facility, both on film or via numerous documentaries, thus giving the story before it has started a blasé impression. Additionally, the most troublesome warning is none of the characters are addressed by name in the beginning, and those familiar with horror movies know it signals these extras usually will not survive until the end, or if they do they will be soon forgotten after their introduction. However while we attempt to overcome these burdens to the tale, Rodionoff and Goldberg still manage to create a basis which does not take itself seriously in the opening and gradually turns to suffocating paranoia as the group delves deeper into the base, allowing for a sense of dread which helps the reader to sympathize with these truth seekers, even as we know their adventure will not last very long.
Even as we adjust to this predictable theme, one cannot but be visually entertained by the amusing opening as expressively illustrated by Alan Otero, mixing a tone of grimness in trying to storm Area 51 but also adding a comedic flair by having the lead dress in a sparkling suit and flanked by half naked girls. And thanks to Leonardo Paciarotti’s dazzling array of bright accents for the participants’ costumes with flashes of captivating skin tones, the invaders’ side is portrayed as a wild party against the drab confines of the arid base and their desert camouflaged guards. This contrast in colors helps to emphasize the intensity of the scene, even as we know no one takes the mob seriously against soldiers who have sworn to protect the base and defend it even if it means shooting on sight. However as the mood shifts from the humorous to a group who wishes to find out the truth, we immediately notice a transformation in image portrayal and color schemes, from mocking to an underlying solemnness in expression and more somber tones. While the artistry may wish to highlight the severity of the base’s security by utilizing darker shading, one cannot but chuckle after they descend in the elevator, with Otero openly displaying several pop culture references in the underground hanger, allowing us to poke fun at what is supposed to be a top secret government facility; it is pleasing to see so many science fiction ships portrayed within that one page, taunting the reader to stop in order to differentiate each one: the Millennium Falcon, a Cylon Fighter, the U.S.S. Enterprise, the mothership from Close Encounters of the Third Kind and many others. However it is from here where the narrative begins leaning into ridiculing itself, delving on material which seems taken from the front page of supermarket tabloid and sprinkling into throughout, and if this is how horror is presented, then how can readers truly accept the story?
Conspiracy once again presents an earnest attempt in portraying more controversial stories, and yet as we begin this jaunt into the supernatural, it appears nothing is taken seriously in this premier issue. While the artwork helps to express the soberness of Area 51 and its grim surroundings, it does not take long before pop culture references are slipped in which help to negate any gravity portrayed within the narrative. If this title is advertised as changing life as we know it, it would help if the title believed in itself.
Grade: B
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: February 26, 2020
MSRP: $4.99
