The Twilight Zone #3

John Michael Straczynski - Writer

Guiu Vilanova - Artist

Vinicius Andrade - Colorist

Rob Steen - Letterer

Francesco Francavilla - Cover

 

Writer John Michael Straczynski’s Twilight Zone has been a great deal of suspenseful fun up to this point. The writer never quite shows you his hand as he is going through the series, and has just the right balance of interpersonal character drama and weird suspense. All this makes me wonder how exactly this episode would play on the television. It is also worth nothing that so far this comic book has read extremely well in single issues, due to the manner in which the author balances the cliffhangers and drama. Each issue has read like one story with a beginning, middle, and end within the context of the larger narrative. The tale revolves around Trevor Richmond, who was caught in the middle of embezzling millions. Through the help of a shadowy organization known as Expedited Services Inc. he received a new body. When the original Trevor, saw that somebody else had taken his body over, he began to grow obsessed with discovering what kind of person now possesses his body.

 

The answer to who took the body of Trevor is interesting and tragic, but in a manner that seems completely appropriate. This issue will make you care about the vessel in this body, and what he is doing to maintain this lie. The writer does a great job maintaining a sense of dread that would seem appropriate for something bearing The Twilight Zone name, as there is a sense of impending doom whispering about the air here. This issue does a great job fleshing out the further characters provided here, even if you do not care about the self serving protagonist, there is enough intrigue to keep readers hooked if only for the plot. With only one issue left in this storyline featuring Trevor, hopefully Straczynski can wrap this tale up in a satisfying manner. With a very endearing string off opening issues, The Twilight Zone is off to a great start.

 

Guiu Vilanova is the main driving force behind that ‘sense of impending doom’ I mentioned earlier. The people here look far to desperate and needy when compared to the average individual. This is all great news, because there is just something inherently creepy that will keep readers glued to the story. Facial expressions are carried well through the pencils of Vilanova that work remarkably in the context of this issue. The finest moment is the ending balcony scene, which fantastically rendered New York city rooftops, proving that the artist has been slowly developing his style for this project. The flashback sequence contains some interesting work from color artist Vinicius Andrade. Sepia tones, blues, greens, and purples make each page of the flashback stand out in glorious detail. This art takes some big chances that would not payoff as well in mainstream comics, for that I am thankful.

John Michael Straczynski and Guiu Vilanova continue to titillate readers with the very interesting tale about the dastardly Trevor Richmond. I am holding my breath until the current story reaches it’s conclusion.