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Released by: Dynamite Entertainment
Released on: October 8th, 2014.
Writer: Mark Rahner
Art: Randy Valiente, Edu Manna, Rod Rodolfo
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This standalone special issue compiles three stories in one larger issue. All of the stories were written by Mark Rahner.
The first - "Hangnail On A Monkey's Paw" is about an evil American Vice President stalked by a man named Khalid - who has escaped from a black ops torture site. Having come in possession of the mystical talisman of the title, our protagonist seeks cosmic justice - with some unintended consequences. This one is really just too "on the nose". The VP is clearly modeled on Dick Cheney (right down to his poor health and glib responses when questioned on the legitimacy of the use of torture) and the whole story arc just too predictable. However, it isn't like Rod Serling (the creator of the Twilight Zone) wasn't prone to a little blunt force social commentary himself back in the day so this one still firs the theme. It has excellent and moody artwork which helps.
Tale two is the best in the book - "Cold Calculation". This one is drawn in starker grayscale and concerns some astronauts on a crucial mission in a future where pollution has destroyed the earth. After encountering a planet with an almost perfect environment for settlement the crew faces a huge ethical dilemma. To say too much more would spoil the story but let's just say it has terrific dialog and raises fascinating moral issues. This one really has the feel of the classic TV show and is very much in the vein of classic TZ episodes like "People Are Alike All Over" and "The Little People". Fantastic stuff.
The last story is the second strongest and concerns an industrial mogul who comes into possession of some special glasses that allow him to see people's real emotions and feelings. "It's All In How You Frame It" has a nice anti-sleazy corporate bully streak and some witty observations. The ending is a bit flat but the artwork (with some interesting use of colored hues) is first rate and the writing strong. A solid ending.
Overall production values, as in the other TZ comics, remain strong. Art, coloring and lettering in all three stories are well above standard quality. This is another winner and recommended. I'm enjoying this line of comics immensely.
