Terra Obscura (2003 Series) #5

October 27, 2003

Quick Rating: Average
Title: Valley of the Shadow

Liberator and Scarab battle the reality-altering X.

Writers: Alan Moore and Peter Hogan
Pencils: Yanick Paquette
Inks: Karl Story
Colors: Jeromy Cox
Letters: Todd Klein
Editor: Ben Abernathy
Cover Art: Yanick Paquette and Karl Story
Publisher: DC Comics/Wildstorm (America’s Best Comics)

If ever a comic book was a screaming argument for the existence of a “Previously in this title” page, it’s this one. I didn’t read the first four issues of Terra Obscura, and I was completely lost trying to read this one. I didn’t know who any of the characters were, and even the role call that was done about four pages from the end didn’t really help matters. I couldn’t figure out anyone’s powers or motivation, what made X such a dastardly foe or what his agenda is, and really the only reason I’m rating this book “average” is because I’m assuming that if you’ve read the first four issues and know the answers to these questions, you’d enjoy it a lot more than I would.

The artwork, fortunately, is another story. Paquette and Story work well together, a slightly rough style that seems the fit the old-fashioned characters. When I first looked through the pages, I would have sworn that the artwork was by Kevin Nolan – it’s the same sort of style. The splash page employs an old trick I always love – the superhero-ripping-through-the-page stunt, although page placement doesn’t quite match up.

Cox has really broken from the pack as a great colorist in the last few years, and he helps give this book a very sci-fi tone during the battle at X’s headquarters, then shifts to a more rustic palette for outdoors scenes.

I wish I could recommend this book, or tell you why I’m not recommending it, but I was clueless as I read the title. If anyone out there has read the first four issues and can clue me in, please do. I welcome a little clarity.

Rating: 5/10