Meaney and Zawadzki's
sci-fi series comes to a conclusion. What will John Collins make of it?...
Writer:
Patrick Meaney
Artist:
Eric Zawadzki
Publisher:
Black Mask Studios
Finally the New Year has arrived and the fourth issue in the Last Born series has brought the story to a dramatic and satisfying conclusion. In many ways it is better to end on a bang (which in this case is both literal and metaphorical) than to drag the story beyond its limit, and risk it becoming the comic book equivalent of jumping the shark.
Issue 4 sees Julia and the group battle against the powerful Viral Man who’s shielding their attempts at saving the new world from total destruction. Without spoiling the ending, while I felt satisfied with it, it will inevitably divide readers. However this is how it should be; how often do the endings of such brilliant series, in whichever medium, satisfy everyone who choose to invest their time? Not only must there be a conclusion to the main plot, but also for the individual characters.
With that, I believe the characters have received the send-offs they deserve as they maintain the traits we’ve seen in previous issues and therefore end the way you would expect. Furthermore, with Patrick Meaney’s offbeat ideas remaining strong until the very end, he has even left the door open for further stories in the unique Last Born Universe. However, if this is the final journey into this world, that too is fine.
In addition to Meaney’s carefully crafted plot, Eric Zawadzki’s artwork has remained spectacular from the first issue, showing just how colourful and imaginative science fiction can be. I particular admire the way he uses one page to demonstrate a character’s search through rubble at various stages instead of using a number of panels, and how a flashback can be included in one setting rather than subverting to another panel. Not only does it save space, but maintains reader’s attention and for that I can only applaud him.
While this review centres on the final issue, it is also important to retrospectively look back at the series as a whole. I can honestly say it has been an enjoyable four issues that while completely bonkers, remained credible until the end. Patrick Meaney’s debut has proven just how imaginative this medium can be and hopefully there will be many more incredible stories from him in the future.
Writer:
Patrick Meaney
Artist:
Eric Zawadzki
Publisher:
Black Mask Studios
Finally the New Year has arrived and the fourth issue in the Last Born series has brought the story to a dramatic and satisfying conclusion. In many ways it is better to end on a bang (which in this case is both literal and metaphorical) than to drag the story beyond its limit, and risk it becoming the comic book equivalent of jumping the shark.
Issue 4 sees Julia and the group battle against the powerful Viral Man who’s shielding their attempts at saving the new world from total destruction. Without spoiling the ending, while I felt satisfied with it, it will inevitably divide readers. However this is how it should be; how often do the endings of such brilliant series, in whichever medium, satisfy everyone who choose to invest their time? Not only must there be a conclusion to the main plot, but also for the individual characters.
With that, I believe the characters have received the send-offs they deserve as they maintain the traits we’ve seen in previous issues and therefore end the way you would expect. Furthermore, with Patrick Meaney’s offbeat ideas remaining strong until the very end, he has even left the door open for further stories in the unique Last Born Universe. However, if this is the final journey into this world, that too is fine.
In addition to Meaney’s carefully crafted plot, Eric Zawadzki’s artwork has remained spectacular from the first issue, showing just how colourful and imaginative science fiction can be. I particular admire the way he uses one page to demonstrate a character’s search through rubble at various stages instead of using a number of panels, and how a flashback can be included in one setting rather than subverting to another panel. Not only does it save space, but maintains reader’s attention and for that I can only applaud him.
While this review centres on the final issue, it is also important to retrospectively look back at the series as a whole. I can honestly say it has been an enjoyable four issues that while completely bonkers, remained credible until the end. Patrick Meaney’s debut has proven just how imaginative this medium can be and hopefully there will be many more incredible stories from him in the future.
9/10
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