THE BASICS
The Viltrumite War is finally over, but that doesn't mean things are perfect on back home on Earth for Mark.
MY COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEF
- A lot of great reunion scenes are packed into this comic. From the humorous scene with Tech Jacket, to the sweet scene with Mark and Eve, to the tense scene with Nolan. Just about every emotion is covered. I especially liked the scene with Mark and Eve. I'm a sucker for scenes that depict a genuinely sweet reunion despite adversity and their scene plays that up to the full.
- A fantastic job has been done in establishing the Viltrumites as an enormously imposing force. Now they've been taken to the next level, placed in the role of a reluctantly docile threat that could erupt at any moment. Sure, Tragg has given his word that his people will not interfere in the day to day lives of humans, but it would only take one Viltrumite who just gets fed up one day to cause incalculable damage. That's a scary thing to constantly live with and that's illustrated well when Mark, in the middle of flying, suddenly stops and has one of those "Oh crap!" moments.
FEEL THE STING OF MY DISCONTENT!
- This issue feels less like the conclusion to the Viltrumite War and more like the aftermath of it. Everything in the comic is focused on showing us how Mark and company reintegrate with society. They reunite with their friends and family and no progress is made in advancing the war, because there isn't a war to advance. It got its resolution in the last issue. It's not a big deal really, and the comic is still good, but the advertising of "The Viltrumite War" on the cover of the book made me come in with certain expectations that weren't met. This is supposed to be the big conclusion to what this series has been building up to since the beginning, but it feels anticlimactic. Again, the comic is still good, but it's easy to go into it with the wrong idea.
- The ending of this comic is a little puzzling to me. Not because it's hard to follow or anything, but because it's presented as this big surprise ending. That's normally not a problem, but the big reveal was something we were already shown not even 12 or so issues ago. Granted, a lot of time has passed since the "reveal's" introduction, but a simple reminder in the middle of the comic would have served just fine. Now, in trying to pass off previously revealed information as a big surprise, I feel like Kirkman is trying to play peek-a-boo with me.
WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE
This was a good issue, but it's easy to go in expecting something you won't get. The war ended last issue and this is just the aftermath. If you keep that in mind, this issue should be rather entertaining.
