Torchwood the Culling #2
Titan Comics 2017
Written by John & Carole Barrowman
Illustrated by Neil Edwards
Coloured by Dijjo Lima
Lettered by Comicrat’s Jimmy Betancourt
During the cleanup operation in the explosive aftermath of the Navigator/ Vervoid plot to take over the world, Jack and Gwen received some unexpected news from their least favourite hologram... Captain John Hart! He has discovered the aliens’ true plan, which he’s willing to share – for a price, of course. Meanwhile, a creature bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Torchwood duo and in possession of terrifying powers, has emerged at Station Zero. Could she really be their clone child as Captain John suggests? and in possession of terrifying powers, has emerged at Station Zero. Could she really be their clone child as Captain John suggests?
The dynamic here between Jack and John is great and when you add Gwen to the mix it becomes even more volatile like a force of nature that will not be stopped. Going around in circles it’s interesting to see which characters decide to latch onto and cannot let go. This is actually to me some real life circumstance writing. It shows how as humans we hear what we want to hear and then block everything else out. So kudos for that bit of writing and characterisation because it makes reading this not only more realistic but takes it one step further.
One of the things that I am really enjoying about this whole story is that while yes we are getting more alien involvement, in ways that the show never managed, it completely fits into the world and how we view it. The child of two worlds and two species who also happens to be culled from the genetic material of both Jack and Gwen well it’s something we’ve never seen before. So in a world where we see the impossible all the time they’ve managed to show something utterly new and unique that just keeps expanding the Torchwood, and by extension Doctor Who, universe.
So it’s no secret that I am a huge Neil Edwards fan the linework he produces is magnificent. The way he uses page layouts through their angles and perspective showing off his eye for storytelling that with his attention to detail make viewing the book an adventure all it’s own. Dijjo’s colouring of this should be included in that because the colour gradation that we see within the high and lowlights are extremely well done. Also let’s address the fact that Neil can nail the likenesses of the characters and still make them feel like his own original creations which is superb.
So with John on one end and Sladen with Docilis on the other those caught in-between are going to find the going rough. Rougher than usual too since what we’re seeing here has far reaching meaning and consequences that they’ll never see coming. I love that the way we get to see the story in ways the characters don’t and still can feel their surprises when things happen. Hard trick to pull off if I'm to be honest.
The way the story is structured, it’s ebb & flow of action and information reveal happens in ways that don’t feel forced or crammed into being. The segue-way's are handled very well and it doesn’t feel like we’re jumping around from one thing to the next because the transition is smooth.
These arcs continue to expand the world their characters live in and keep the adventures alive and strong. It also doesn’t hurt that characters in comics don’t age the same way actors do in real life cause let’s face it no amount of make-up is gonna make John look as young as Jack is supposed to. So for a good, fun and entertaining book you should be looking no further than right here.
Titan Comics 2017
Written by John & Carole Barrowman
Illustrated by Neil Edwards
Coloured by Dijjo Lima
Lettered by Comicrat’s Jimmy Betancourt
During the cleanup operation in the explosive aftermath of the Navigator/ Vervoid plot to take over the world, Jack and Gwen received some unexpected news from their least favourite hologram... Captain John Hart! He has discovered the aliens’ true plan, which he’s willing to share – for a price, of course. Meanwhile, a creature bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Torchwood duo and in possession of terrifying powers, has emerged at Station Zero. Could she really be their clone child as Captain John suggests? and in possession of terrifying powers, has emerged at Station Zero. Could she really be their clone child as Captain John suggests?
The dynamic here between Jack and John is great and when you add Gwen to the mix it becomes even more volatile like a force of nature that will not be stopped. Going around in circles it’s interesting to see which characters decide to latch onto and cannot let go. This is actually to me some real life circumstance writing. It shows how as humans we hear what we want to hear and then block everything else out. So kudos for that bit of writing and characterisation because it makes reading this not only more realistic but takes it one step further.
One of the things that I am really enjoying about this whole story is that while yes we are getting more alien involvement, in ways that the show never managed, it completely fits into the world and how we view it. The child of two worlds and two species who also happens to be culled from the genetic material of both Jack and Gwen well it’s something we’ve never seen before. So in a world where we see the impossible all the time they’ve managed to show something utterly new and unique that just keeps expanding the Torchwood, and by extension Doctor Who, universe.
So it’s no secret that I am a huge Neil Edwards fan the linework he produces is magnificent. The way he uses page layouts through their angles and perspective showing off his eye for storytelling that with his attention to detail make viewing the book an adventure all it’s own. Dijjo’s colouring of this should be included in that because the colour gradation that we see within the high and lowlights are extremely well done. Also let’s address the fact that Neil can nail the likenesses of the characters and still make them feel like his own original creations which is superb.
So with John on one end and Sladen with Docilis on the other those caught in-between are going to find the going rough. Rougher than usual too since what we’re seeing here has far reaching meaning and consequences that they’ll never see coming. I love that the way we get to see the story in ways the characters don’t and still can feel their surprises when things happen. Hard trick to pull off if I'm to be honest.
The way the story is structured, it’s ebb & flow of action and information reveal happens in ways that don’t feel forced or crammed into being. The segue-way's are handled very well and it doesn’t feel like we’re jumping around from one thing to the next because the transition is smooth.
These arcs continue to expand the world their characters live in and keep the adventures alive and strong. It also doesn’t hurt that characters in comics don’t age the same way actors do in real life cause let’s face it no amount of make-up is gonna make John look as young as Jack is supposed to. So for a good, fun and entertaining book you should be looking no further than right here.
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