Dark Horse Comics 2015
Written by Eric Heisserer
Penciled by Ace Continuado
Inked by Adelso Corona
Coloured by Wes Dzioba
Victus, Caliph of a vast galactic empire, has found that for which he has been hunting all his life: the planet Solace, home to the shapechanging species known as Shapers. Believing a prophecy that says he can only be killed by a Shaper, Victus plans to destroy Solace and every living being on it.
But even as Victus’s flagship, the Omen, powered up its devastating Graviton Lance, his Shaper captives, Niva and her son Spry, escaped from the brig—and their rescue party arrived: legendary gunslinger Rand the Galaxian, famed star pilot Adagia, and a Shaper warrior named Kaylen. The trio of Shapers attacked the Caliph’s soldiers, Rand faced off with Victus’s chief enforcer Tor Ajax, and the Graviton Lance was unleashed on Solace!
The last round of a deadly game is in play!
Dag Nabbit all I can say is that I want more! Hopefully Eric has some story ideas up his sleeve so this isnt’ going to be the last we see of these characters. This truly is one of the David and Goliath type stories where you root for the little guy and he has go through the trials before he’s able to win. Self discovery alongside long lost family and newfound friends have made for some incredible reading.
For all intents and purposes it really did look like Victus was going to pull off a victory and while that would have been one hell of a twist what happens in these pages was even better than that. Each character has their own role to play in this final issue and seeing them individually in action garners new respect for them but working in concert with one another through those individual actions is what makes this truly great.
Eric has brought a very complete story here. The way the story is structured is fantastic and this issue’s climax brings about five issues worth of drama to a close as it’s wrapped up in some all out action. When someone can see ten breaths into their own future how do you defeat him or surprise him so that you can take him down? Ten breaths may not seem like much but it’s a great advantage when you can see an attack coming that’s for sure. His father looked at his future and saw this happen and ever since Victus has been focuses on eliminating the threat at the cost pretty much of all else and ensuring that he brought about his own end. It’s a vicious circle for one who has this high opinion of himself and the tale is told through some classic allies turned friends adventure that forms what could be one of the galaxy’s most formidable team.
Ace, Adelso and Wes so some of comics cleanest work in these pages too. Body definition and proportions are wonderful, the imagination showcased in creating the Shaper’s forms are inspired and all around they are just so awe inspiring in what they are able to convey here.
This could be the beginning of a new outer space drama/thriller that stands right up there with the most beloved and established series it’s just that good.