Dark Horse Comics 2015
Story by Rafael Albuquerque & Mike Johnson
Written by Mike Johnson
Illustrated by Rafael Albuquerque
I’m still as intrigued by this at issue four as I was at issue one and now it seems that things are moving to a point where more explanations coming to us. Joshua’s past, which is the future, and how he came to be in the Meld looking for a particular person whom he’s found as running the Meld with an iron fist or some nasty dictator that desperately needs to be overthrown. His assessment of Nila’s predicament however after escaping in his ship well that’s not accurate thankfully.
I’m really enjoying the characterization here. We’ve really gotten to know these characters pretty well and over a short time seen them grow and evolve to a point where they are finding in themselves reserves of strength they didn’t know they had.
Nila meanwhile has found herself in the past where she encounters Sgt. Collins and Dr. Hamm. This is exciting for Dr. Hamm since it means not only is she possibly a way home but also because Dr. Hamm recognizes the ship Nila arrived in which goes to explain who the leader of the Meld is and why he’s known as the Spear. Not only that but if you go back to the first issue where Joshua receives the mysterious message to follow the dinosaur that was Nila now creating her own future. Seriously this dialogue and story has been infinitely interesting and full of surprises.
I am also a fan of this colour coded storytelling that easily lets the reader understand when that part of the story is taking place. Rafael is really doing some of his most expressive and intense work to date and seeing Dr. Hamm’s face as he recalls the story of the Spear and how he knew him as a young boy and the ramifications of how long he’s (the Spear) has lived in the Meld well the artwork is just beautiful. From the whole introduction of the Nazi party to seeing the machines that they used to send him there and how his father’s life work would become his was something unexpected and thrilling to witness.
Seeing Hari free Joshua was sheerly delightful. She’s such a spunky young thing and her attachment to Joshua is super cute. What this rescue does though is set up the upcoming epic battle for control of the Meld. With the Spear seemingly losing his tenuous grasp on reality and Joshua trying to get the natives to rally around him and force the issue of freedom it seems that the Meld is going to be a hotbed of activity soon. Can Nila, Sgt. Collins and Dr. Hamm make it the Meld in time to help remains to be seen but it all seems to be coming to fruition.
This is an odd little story that really isn’t like anything we’ve read before making it one of those monthly gems to read.