Aspen Comics 2015
Written by Vince Hernandez
Illustrated by Giuseppe Cafaro
Coloured by Wes Hartman
Kiani and Anika invaded Camp Diego and defeated the covert bases’ defensive measures, including the terrorist-turned-grey matter hybrid creatures. However, their conflict turned ugly, as Anika took matters into her own hands and executed Admiral Hoover for his crimes against both the Blue and humanity—yet, not before Hoover warned of an even larger threat to the Blue’s existence…
Kiani and Anika travel back to see Shalla who sold them out last issue. He’s playing both sides so that if there is a clear cut winner he’ll be able to save his own bacon which you can’t fault him for I mean survival is first and foremost in all our minds and staying out of the fray is the surest way to do that. Kiani however sees him for what he is and doesn’t really do much harm to him but the threat is there, I love how he’s all like you don’t want me as an enemy and she’s blows that off saying she has enemies scarier than him. She shut him down but I like that he’ll be back because he can be useful in the long run.
Vince has really gotten Kiani to a place that I adore. She thinks long term and knows how the game is played is willing to do things now that she wouldn’t have when she was first introduced. The evolution of her as a character really has been something extraordinary to see and in this story alone she really has emerged, come into her own and while neither really a part of the blue or the surface world is a force unto herself and one to be reckoned with. He’s done a spectacular job with her and I look forward to his next foray into her life which will hopefully come soon.
When Maylander showed up to take the girls from Shalla and to his base of operations a converted Oil Rig which is now a prison housing so many captured Blue who have been experimented on it’s a stunning revelation. Giuseppe and Wes do a number on the senses here with this two page spread. It’s also a powerful image in the fact that Maylander isn’t one to underestimate he’s a very formidable opponent.
Maylander is old school he sees a threat and that’s it there’s no coming to a sensible middle ground he is hellbent on eliminating what he perceives as a threat to humanity. Whereas by contrast Kiani wants to talk and negotiate but the two sides aren’t going to be able to come to a peaceable solution here. Maylander is the biggest threat to the Blue and by extension humanity as they will end up retaliating and it will be his fault regardless if he’s too blind to see the reality of the situation. This kind of writing is extraordinary it goes so far beyond what we’ve seen in the past the evolution of the company, it’s books and it’s beloved characters makes this an exciting time to be a fan of Aspen.
While this issue ends this run it does wonders to set up what’s next including what we saw in the FCBD issue. The future looks interesting, fun and action packed not to mention full of intelligent, witty and complex writing accompanied by artwork reminiscent of Turner’s but still the artist’s own. I can’t wait for what’s next this is another reason to love Aspen!