Review: The Terminator #2

With their new The Terminator series Declan Shalvey and David O’Sullivan sew together a brilliant, subtle tapestry. Rather than crafting a traditional fish out of water story with The Terminator arriving to our current era, they take us back to the Vietnam war and allow the arrival of The Terminator to highlight the horrors of war. The art, colors and internal conflicts have a simple but beautiful manner. This feels reminiscent of a great Usagi comics with a simpler

The story is relayed through the perspective of Private Duggan. The backdrop of this tale is so different from what we have seen in traditional Terminator films. We are not spending time in a wrought future horror that visits itself onto a surburban present. Instead the horror of this time is one created by man and the presence of The Terminator simply heightens and highlights the bloodshed and destruction of our own making. The fact that this reality of war extends to our own present world keeps this story relevant in spite of the change in time period. Duggan describes the hot, sticky never ending end to the Vietnam war and his time in Saigon. It is a death trap that they can’t seem to leave. Duggan and Hernandez are making the best of their assignment even as The Terminator arrives in a nearby Vietnamese village. The real question is if The Terminator in this setting is a symbol of the war and death brought by the imperial army or if his presence marks a violent means to finally achieve peace in this era. As the Americans are under siege they choose to evacuate the area. Duggan does not stay with them due to a treasure he has hidden within the city and he needs to retrieve. Meanwhile the North Vietnamese troops see The Terminator who has stolen clothes from a local and believe him to be an American trooper. They attack him to no avail as he makes quick work of their weapons and tanks. Duggan meanwhile is ordered back to base for evacuation but ignored it on his quest to go ever deeper into the village for his treasure. He sees The Terminator who in turn identifies Edward Duggan as his main objective for termination.

This is a very well done issue. The art and colors by O’Sullivan and Colin Craker perfectly encapsulate the visuals of the region and tone of war. The Terminator is still a quirky, fun anachronism here with the future tech artistically blended in well with the environment of classic war. The themes of war are a natural thematic backdrop for the destruction brought onto all sides by The Terminator. This series is so well done that it plays out as well as any Terminator film.

Writing: 5 of 5 stars
Art: 5 of 5 stars
Colors: 5 of 5 stars

Overall:
5 of 5 stars

Writer: Declan Shalvey
Art: David O’Sullivan
Colors: Colin Craker
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.