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Released by: Dynamite Entertainment
Released on: January 14th, 2015.
Written by: J. Michael Straczynski
Illustrated by: Guiu Vilanova
Catch up link: http://www.rockshockpop.com/forums/c...ht-Zone-The-10
I love this series. And while this story arc took a little while longer to really rev up, its running at full throttle now.
This chapter is pretty emotionally draining stuff, with private investigator Robert Chambers getting progressively more unhinged as he grapples with his ability to time travel. One of Straczynski's best artistic assets is his willingness to create sympathetic but deeply flawed characters. Anyone who has ever battled depression and questioned their own footprint in the world can certainly relate to the emotional heart of this particular chapter.
Plot wise this section deals with Chambers' frustration at getting back to the point in time where he could theoretically rescue the doomed Marine activist John Black. There's also a heart wrenching scene between Chambers and his sweet but emotionally wounded girlfriend. Funnily enough for a fantasy title, this series has always had an amazingly realistic romantic streak. This isn't an idealized couple. They are two decent but mentally beaten people who are trying to use their love for each other to get by in a hostile world. Chambers also sees the dead hero's business tycoon father again. This scene is the most reminiscent of the classic Zone TV show with a mentally unstable Chambers getting intense with some bizarrely personal questions. It's the classic "one person knows something fantastic that the other doesn't and is trying to convince them" setup. Think William Shatner and that gremlin on the wing. Ultimately, this one is a building block issue but it sets things up nicely for what I'm guessing is the final climax in the next issue. Straczynski's storytelling can't be faulted. There is also a cool twist that brings in one of the Straczynski TZ universe's most interesting characters from a previous story arc.
Art, lettering and coloring remain at a high standard. This series has a very distinctive color palette with a cool mix of the garish and the noir and I like it. And Guiu Vilanova does fantastic sweaty close-ups that rival the classic EC comics in their heyday. Everything is also visually consistent with previous entries with a perfect sense of continuity. Two thumbs hiked high for this issue on the art front.
This series remains first class all the way. Engaging storytelling, quality art and coloring and lettering and excellent production values. It also manages the tricky balancing act of presenting a modern story that echoes the best elements of the original Rod Serling Zone.
Highly recommended.
