From writer Declan Shalvey (Bog Bodies, Time Before Time) and artists Luke Sparrow & Colin Craker comes a return to one of the most iconic franchises in sci-fi with The Terminator #1. Featuring lettering by Jeff Eckleberry, this debut issue treads familiar ground in terms of plot, but still delivers on sharing a universe with one of the greatest “unstoppable killer” stories in modern fiction. With a safe but compelling script and great visual work, The Terminator is off to a strong start in bringing this iconic world back to the comics medium.
“The plans to kill Sarah Connor and her son John have failed, but the genocidal Skynet isn’t out of options yet. There are still a few more avenues into the past that will allow it to destroy the human resistance that is poised to smash its processors into silicon shrapnel – it just needs to expand its theater of operations.
Opening a new front in the war, Terminators are dispatched across the globe and throughout time to target current resistance fighters, their ancestors, and anyone else unlucky enough to be in the strike zones. And while none of these secondary assignments are as straightforward as the missions of the first T-800 and T-1000, time is literally on the machines’ side. When all of history becomes a war zone, nowhere – and nowhen – is safe!”
Writing & Plot
Declan Shalvey takes us on a familiar but completely satisfying journey with The Terminator #1. Basically, this issue gives readers a taste of what the first film would have looked like if Sarah Conner and Kyle Reese had been able to run away together – while still being pursued by a T-800. The story jumps between the post- nuclear war present and the pre-Skynet past, showing us what a couple has had to endure to stay ahead of their unstoppable stalker, all while managing to find some peace in their lives. The entire premise and execution of this comic’s story is satisfying, albeit a bit on the safe and predictable side. In the end, this comic is an elaboration on the exact kind of story we expect from The Terminator. This is only the first issue though, and based on its end, there looks to be much more by the way of new stories to be told in this series.
Shalvey’s real strengths here come out in his character writing and how he approaches this well-established universe. Introducing readers to a happy couple far from the effects of nuclear war, then ripping away the facade and replacing it with a familiar fear and sense of urgency, was genuinely unexpected. Shalvey’s writing of the lead couple feels heartfelt and real, with naturalistic dialogue and a sense of human empathy that drives home the character-focused nature shared by Cameron’s films. While predictable, Declan Shalvey’s script goes to great lengths to make this a memorable new chapter in The Terminator mythos.
Art Direction
Luke Sparrow’s pencils and Colin Craker’s color art bring this post-apocalyptic world to life wonderfully in the pages of The Terminator #1. This comic does not include the aesthetic that many fans may be expecting. The ruined cities and falling as are largely replaced by stunning mountain vistas and a peaceful lake, due to the story of the lead characters. Sparrow’s rendition of the iconic T-800 evokes the same terror as its appearance in the ’84 original, but juxtaposed brilliantly against the stunning natural backdrop. Sparrow and Craker make this sci-fi comic feel like a nightmare coming to life, with the Terminator’s nonstop stalking always provoking a sense of terror – especially once it’s revealed just how long this unit has hunted the protagonists. Its form being largely shrouded by shadows and the features of is flesh-disguise being hidden from the reader is such a clever choice. It isn’t surprising that this being ends up being a Terminator, but its hulking, shadowy form having its glowing red eyes and metallic skeleton revealed is still an awesome sight. The character animations combined with Sparrow’s focused sequential direction make the protagonists’ struggle all the more intense. The action hits hard in tightly plotted bursts, matching the intensity of the overall story. Colin Craker’s color art wonderfully crafts the comic’s tone. From the gorgeous natural views on the peaceful mountain setting where much of this story takes place, to the shadowy details of the encroaching Terminator, Craker’s work brings this debut issue to the next level. Overall, The Terminator is off to a stunning start in terms of visual direction.
Verdict
The Terminator #1 is a predictable but compelling first issue of this new chapter in the iconic sci-fi franchise. Declan Shalvey’s script touches on familiar territory for any who have seen the films, but the story of the characters is still so good that this does little to dampen how much fun it is to read. The visuals from Luke Sparrow and Colin Craker are brilliantly detailed and and animated, constantly ramping up the tension as the story moves forward. Be sure to grab this debut issue when it hits shelves on October 9th!
