Dynamite Entertainment 2016
Written by Cullen Bunn
Illustrated by Alex Sanchez
Coloured by Salvatore Aiala
Lettered by Sal Cipriano
AFTER LANDING UPON A MYSTERIOUS PLANET SURROUNDED BY A RING OF DEAD STARSHIPS, THE CREW OF THE GALACTICA WAS SURPRISED TO BE REUNITED WITH BALTAR. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THEY MADE A SECOND, MORE SINISTER DISCOVERY: A GROUP OF NIGHTMARISH HUMAN-CYLON HYBRIDS. WITH THEIR LEADER ADAMA IN A COMA AND TRAPPED IN DEADLY PSYCHIC BATTLE WITH THE NEFARIOUS COUNT IBLIS, AND WITH THEIR SHIPS UNDER ATTACK FROM THE OVERWHELMING PRESENCE OF THESE NEW FOES, THE HUMAN FLEET, IN ORDER TO SURVIVE, WILL HAVE TO FORM AN UNEASY ALLIANCE WITH THE
CYLON FORCES THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY PURSUING THEM…..
For all the shiny and fanciness of the reboot, which was popular i’ll grant you, there’s nothing like the original and what Cullen is doing with this story showcases that you can never keep a good thing down. A true fran of the original run this incorporates so much of it here that it makes me long to binge watch the series.
This issue kind of reminds you why Cullen is not only a magnificent writer but how strong storytelling, through the premise, pacing and characterisation you can create something so much larger than what we see on the surface. I mean the way this issue goes and how Apollo goes to his father’s side and all that entails well that leads to the surprise ending which of course is kind of what all this has been leading up to. The way it’s woven throughout is simply stunning and I can’t shake that feeling that something monumental is still on the horizon.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend has never been more apropos than we’re seeing it right now. Of course it shouldn’t surprise anyone that when the Cylons are faced with a threat they seek refuge among the fleet. Still it does have this quality to it that makes for exciting reading and the fact that both sides are in a position to learn more about the other shouldn’t be discounted. That could come into play later on and that Baltar is back among them all well that’s just something I can’t wait to see how it plays out when this is over. After all who will he remain with?
The interiors here are growing on me. Yes there are moments when it seems like there are questions about what to do with a character but overall seeing the helmets and the likeness of the characters is great to see. The use of page layouts through angles and perspective are well done. The use of backgrounds are effective when we see them and flesh out those moments nicely. The nostalgia factor they bring is amazing to me.
I can’t wait for next issue to see how all this comes to a head and if Iblis can gain some measure of revenge for being cast out. In the meantime if you enjoyed the reboot there’s a reason it was so good and that’s because it embodied so much of what made the original such a groundbreaking series. Cullen’s story here will entice you with it’s struggle of survival and triumph in the face of adversity.