Review: The Terminator #4

Into the Depths of Time: The Terminator #4 Explores Unseen Tides

It’s 1965, and the Baltic Sea holds a cold secret beneath its waves. Captain Masha Alekseev helms a Whiskey-Class Soviet submarine, embarking on a mission shrouded in mystery. Aboard is a KGB courier, safeguarding cargo that even Alekseev isn’t privy to. As the story unfolds in The Terminator #4, Declan Shalvey delves deeper into the universe, bridging timelines and unearthing untold stories.

Illustrator Lorenzo Re brings motion to each page. His artwork, complemented by Colin Craker’s moody colors, unfolds a vision of time travel far beyond the franchise’s cinematic roots. The storyline, rich with retro tension, escorts readers into a whiskey-drenched world of espionage and shadowy dealings.

A Distorted Reality

Amidst secretive operations, Alekseev faces unexpected peril. Strange weaponry attacks the sub, unfamiliar and hostile. The KGB agent aboard remains alarmingly calm, exuding an unsettling presence. When he commandeers the vessel, a revelation dawns — he’s not entirely human. This twist plunges the narrative into a thrilling freefall.

Crafting such a tale requires a nuanced blend of science fiction and political intrigue. Shalvey expertly threads elements reminiscent of The Thing and Alien into the Cold War tapestry, revealing uncharted facets of the Terminator saga. It’s a dance between familiar themes and brand-new narratives that keep fans hooked.

In the Belly of the Beast

Alekseev’s submarine is a cramped 250-foot vessel, housing 52 souls. Re’s artwork deftly captures this claustrophobia, juxtaposed with impactful drama. Scenes unfold in tight quarters, yet the intensity never feels constricting. Craker’s colors follow suit. Muted tones punctuated by flashes of vibrant hues draw readers deep into the story, enhancing every moment.

Shalvey and his artistic team push boundaries. They explore the complex politics and potential chaos of an AI-driven future. Their narrative presents a crossroads, where humanity teeters on the brink of control. The comic feels alive, pulsating with the intrigue of Cold War science fiction. It offers a fresh perspective on time travel’s perilous potential.

Future Entanglements

The early Terminator films hinted at a convoluted dystopian future. Shalvey’s exploration into these complexities reveals a web spun from the fraying threads of time and technology. The Terminator #4 ventures into a world where AI-led governance collides with human instinct, painting a vivid picture of what lies beyond the war machines we’ve known.

Grade: B