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Review: ‘The Last of Us: American Dreams’ #4

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11 years ago

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Game writer, Neil Druckmann, and lead artist Faith Erin Hicks, turn in the fourth installment of “The Last of Us: American Dreams”, closing the final chapter of Dark Horse Comics’ noteworthy prequel to Naughty Dog’s original creation. Chronicling Ellie’s journey prior to the established video game storyline, this mini-series proves to be as accessible and thrilling to new fans, as the game is illustrious and esteemed in the industry.

WRITTEN BY: Neil Druckmann & Faith Erin Hicks
ART BY: Faith Erin Hicks
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: June 26, 2013

Those who have already completed the game are probably wondering whether Druckmann and Hicks chose to take Ellie and Riley’s story to its poetically tragic end. As it turns out, there is definitely more pre-game universe ground that can potentially be covered, should both writers choose to expand upon the series in the future.

The final issue begins where the last leaves off; with Ellie and Riley being captured by the anti-government militia group, also known as The Fireflies. The end of issue #3 introduces a familiar face from the game ‘verse: Marlene. In this issue she provides Riley with some cold hard truths regarding the bleak reality of what it really means to join the Fireflies, and shocks Ellie after relaying a surprising amount of knowledge that she’s accumulated about her. Bound and imprisoned, the girls must handle threats from both The Fireflies, and a band of gun-wielding smugglers who have stumbled upon them.

Druckmann and Hicks end the series on an unsurprisingly somber note, given the violent, post-pandemic setting “The Last of Us” exists in. Disillusionment and despondency sneak up on the characters when they’re faced with the fact that “all roads lead to the same end.” It’s a hopeless and dark message, but essentially ties off the series’ dramatic narrative in the most appropriate way. Both writers really deliver authentic drama and raw intensity throughout this entire installment, something that was missing in the previous issues.

It’s been difficult trying to get behind Riley’s overall personality in this series, generally speaking, she’s not a very likeable individual, but the character development seen in issue #4 will dissolve any reservations readers may have. Her final scene on issue #4 will really resonate with readers.

The artwork remains consistently good. Hicks’ style isn’t overly complicated or detailed, but visually expressive when it matters. She conveys an array of emotion when illustrating the characters’ expressions, and knows how to build up suspense through lively panel work when the script calls for high-action scenes. Colourist Rachelle Rosenberg sticks with just the right palette of dark and murky hues in order to effectively portray the grim universe; and artist, Julian Totino Tedesco delivers another beautifully illustrated cover for the series. His work always hits the mark.

“The Last of Us: American Dreams” finally concludes its Dark Horse run, but there’s still room in the pre-game universe for a larger story to be told.

4/5 Skulls

Review by – ShadowJayd

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Comics

‘Witchblade’ is Getting Resurrected This Summer in New Comic Series from Top Cow and Image Comics

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1 day ago

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April 18, 2024

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Witchblade cover

Witchblade, the popular comic series that initially ran from 1995 to 2015 and launched a TV series, is getting resurrected in a new comic series from Top Cow and Image Comics. It’s set to unleash heavy metal, black magic and blood this summer.

Look for the new Witchblade series to launch on July 17, 2024.

In Witchblade #1, “New York City Police Detective Sara Pezzini’s life was forever fractured by her father’s murder. Cold, cunning, and hellbent on revenge, Sara now stalks a vicious criminal cabal beneath the city, where an ancient power collides and transforms her into something wild, magnificent, and beyond her darkest imaginings. How will Sara use this ancient power, or will she be consumed by it?”

The series is penned by NYT Best-Selling writer Marguerite Bennett (Animosity, Batwoman, DC Bombshells) and visualized by artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide Squad, Power Rangers, Red Sonja). The creative duo is working with original co-creator Marc Silvestri, who is the CEO of Top Cow Productions Inc. and one of the founders of Image Comics. They are set to reintroduce the series to Witchblade’s enduring fans with “a reimagined origin with contemporary takes on familiar characters and new story arcs that will hook new readers and rekindle the energy and excitement that fueled the 90’s Image Revolution that shaped generations of top creators.”

Bennett said in a statement, “The ability to tell a ferocious story full of monsters, sexuality, vision, and history was irresistible.” She adds, “Our saga is sleek, vicious, ferocious, and has a lot to say about power in the 21st century and will be the first time that we are stopping the roller coaster to let more people on. I’ve loved Witchblade since I was a child, and there is truly no other heroine like Sara with such an iconic legacy and such a rich, brutal relationship to her own body.”

“The Witchblade universe is being modernized to reflect how Marguerite beautifully explores the extreme sides of Sara through memories, her personal thoughts, like desire and hunger, in her solitude and when she is possessed by the Witchblade. So, I had to visually intersect a noir True Detective-like world with a supernatural, horror world that is a fantastic mix between Berserk and Zodiac,” Cafaro stated.

Marc Silvestri notes, “This is brand new mythology around Sara, and I can’t wait for you to fall in love with her and all the twists and turns. Discover Witchblade reimagined this summer, and join us as we bring all the fun of the 90s to the modern age and see how exciting comics can be. I can’t wait for you to read this new series.”

Witchblade#1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 17th, for $4.99 for 48 pages. And it’ll come with multiple cover variants.

  • Cover A: Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover B: Giuseppe Cafaro and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover C: Blank Sketch Cover

  • Cover D (1/10): Dani and Brad Simpson (Full Color)

  • Cover E (1/25): Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto, Virgin Cover (Full Color)

  • Cover F (1/50): J.Scott Campbell (Full Color)

  • Cover G (1/100): Bill Sienkiewicz. (Full Color)

  • Cover H (1/250): Line art by Marc. Virgin Cover, Inks (B/W)

Witchblade #1 will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Witchblade comic panel Witchblade #1 cover image

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