From writer Scott “Babydaddy” Hoffman (Nostalgia, Wag) of Scissor Sisters fame and artist Alberto Ponticelli (Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E.) comes the final issue of their DSTLRY published cyberpunk body horror romp with Warm Fusion #1. Featuring color art by Lee Loughridge and lettering from Steve Wands, this finale takes all of the attitude and disturbing revelations of the prior chapters and turns it all into a crescendo and violence, vengeance, and even more twists. With a tight, compelling script and fittingly grimy visual work, Warm Fusion #3 is a fitting end to this stellar sci-fi comic series.
“In a smoldering finale, Vin recruits an army of the maligned to confront her enemy just as Prophetiq prepares to present its new product to the unsuspecting public. Meanwhile Nicholas and Mr. Barnaby scramble to complete their plan as their grotesque creation returns to his makers and the series comes to its violent conclusion.”
Writing & Plot
The most impressive aspect of Scott Hoffman’s writing in Warm Fusion #3 is how the puzzle pieces have been put together over each issue. This miserable cyberpunk vision of New York and all of the twisted elements that got it to the state its in tie neatly in to the story of the medical corporation at the center of the story, and why they’re making what they are. Vin and the other characters at the center of the story are great reminders of how people are caught in the wake made by the decisions of these giant corporate entities. Hoffman’s dreamlike narration clashes with the varied character dialogue in a way that adds to the setting remarkably well. In fact, the unique dialogue of every cast member really brings the story to life in a who other way as well, making the whole experience feel more organic. Even with all of the ingredients to this story being stirred around constantly, nothing ever feels confusing. A large part of this is the sequential direction, but also in how Hoffman scripts scenes. Pieces of dialogue overlay each other and sequences are happening at the same time in a way that builds on the chaos of the story. The whole ending sequence, involving a press conference, police blockade, protests, and um, *more,* is all covered at the same time with Hoffman bouncing from conversation to conversation without ever convoluting the reading experience. Like any great science fiction story, Warm Fusion balances depravity and consequence with genuine humanity, offering beauty and poeticism even in its most gruesome sequences. It would have been nice to have gotten more than 3 issues, but the fact that Hoffman managed to craft so much history and character in only 3 chapters is a serious achievement. Warm Fusion #3 is one hell of a final chapter.
Art Direction
Alberto Ponticelli has been on deck to deliver the grimy, gory, and neon-coated imagery for the whole series, and his work comes to a stellar close with Warm Fusion #3. The Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. artist uses his rough pencils to deliver a visual experience that is at times disturbing, and at others dreamlike in its execution. One element of his work here that truly stands out (aside from his whole unique style) is how he designs characters. All of the villains and crooked billionaires are drawn with less humanity than Vin and her crew. Even outside of Mr. Barnaby’s disturbing mask, all of the ultra-rich capitalists look and behave so wildly different than the grounded main characters. The grotesqueness of some of the human characters fits well with the hopeless, gray & neon appearance of this version of New York, which feels straight out of 1981’s Heavy Metal. As cool as they are to see, the body horror elements of the story are perhaps the least interesting part of Ponticelli’s work here. His sequential direction is top notch, locking sequences together in a way that carries the story at a careful tense pace. The sequence I mentioned earlier with the multiple perspectives happening at the same time work so well largely because of how Ponticelli stages his panels. The color art from Lee Loughridge perfects the visual experience, showering the rainy cyberpunk landscape of this ruined city in tones of neon and smog. Steve Wands’s lettering is also unique here, especially with his off-kilter choices for SFX work (there’s noises here that I’m not even sure make sense but dammit they work). Overall, Warm Fusion ends on a visual treat that’s just as great as the rest of the series.
Verdict
Warm Fusion #3 is a stellar, hopeful finale to this grim cyberpunk mini-series. Scott Hoffman proves his talents as a comics writer with a script that is thematically rich and character focused, telling a deeply compelling story that makes the most of its 3-issue run. The visuals from Alberto Ponticelli and Lee Loughridge are atmospherically and tonally rich, providing a reading experience that sells the used, grimy, and somehow dreamlike feel of this issue to excellent effect. FOC is on May 12th, so be sure to hit up your local comic shop or dstlry.co to grab this final chapter!
