AfterShock Comics Reviews: Godkillers, Join the Future, Man Who F#&%ED Up Time, Undone by Blood
Reviews on the following Aftershock comics in the order I read them:
- Godkillers (2-5)
- Join the Future (2-5)
- The Man Who F#&%ED Up Time (3-5)
- Undone by Blood (2-5)
Individual series information can be found here
Series: Godkillers
Issues: 2-5
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
I love how each issue has the same setup for how character names are provided, though I still struggle because I often have facial recognition issues with comics.
I don’t like how issues 4 and 5 don’t include the mission/personnel files with the redacted information.
2. There are very interesting contractions and the truth that “the unexplained” is not necessarily supernatural. And “the supernatural isn’t proof of an afterlife.” While I disagree with the latter, I understand where Alhazred is coming from.
- There is a Penanggalon--a bodyless vampire---that ISIS is fighting against. The Godkillers think that dealing with her may help their mission, whether or not they believe in her influence. Believing that OTHERS believe is sometimes important enough...especially since the devil may derive in different forms. I like that, and I like that others don’t mock or talk down to others who believe in different things. They recognize others’ faiths for what they are.
- Oh man, Boyo (I am tickled at that surname) is definitely in war crime territory.
3. I am almost humored that Alhazred tries to banish a Djinn with the name Allah. But since he doesn’t believe, and since the Djinn is under a different supernatural issue, nothing happens. It’s a bit sobering to learn that the Djinn is not what they were sent to deal with (aside from ISIS).
- Other myths reveal themselves to be real, and Alhazred craves faith even more (which intrigues me greatly).
- John Elliot is slime.
- There is a very cool spread and panels when the Russians arrive.
- The end of issue 3 is utterly creepy.
4. Now, because of Alhazzred’s stunt with the Djinn, an international war has broken out...and the Godkillers are blamed for everything. Because that makes more sense than the mythological truth. Those beings are ages old and full of deceit and magic.
- The place of the witch that first appears in the Ukraine is creepy as hell and my hairs stand on end which doesn’t normally happen when I read any of the creepy comics.
5. We learn both U.S. and Russia have had supernatural weapons of mass destruction, which is scary and believable. Regarding Koschei, I like how he puts things in perspective. Baba Yaga is ultra scary...and I’m more inclined towards Koschei because he refuses to be her fourth Horseman.
- This has a decent conclusion, though I would like to see more with this group!
Series: Join the Future
Issues: 2-5
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
For this series, the title spread a few pages in works. I don’t like it in other series.
Clem Libbey has lost nearly everyone she loves and now has to decide: does she or does she not join the future?
After seeing what the agent, sheriff, and deputies did, she opts out and focuses on revenge (in the guise of justice). The problem is that THEY know she is missing, and unlike the past (ie: our day), the cities won’t turn a “blind eye” to anyone “in need”-even if they don’t want/need the help.
The terraforming machines are eerie.
We learn how important real food is, and not just from hunting. Real, cooked food. It’s interesting.
The training Clem gets from the Trader is very interesting, and reminiscent of most other trainings we see characters partake in. But it really works for this genre, this series. And it brings the two closer together, allowing us to see just how much the cities--overreliance on technology--takes away.
But sometimes? Sometime that tech is exactly what we need.
End of issue 3: Well, crap.
Holy cow. In issue 4, is that an underwater city? Is that what the terraforming has done?
The agent and his troopers go to absolute extremes to get Clem, which makes me seriously wonder /why?/ They chase her to what looks like an abandoned city--something that would exist in our days. So...the new cities of The Future aren’t an extension of our own?
The fact that the machines can’t deal with fire is interesting. It also makes sense, given that fire has a mind of its own.
And Clem takes advantage of that.
Then we learn that the terraforming machines interfere with other electronics. Very. Interesting.
I like her tech-free booby traps. Sometimes we all get caught up with the technology that we forget that simple can truly be better.
Hm. But I do like the shields the troopers have.
That was a good end to issue 5.
But NOT a good end to the series. There HAS to be more, right? A new arc? Kind of like “Dark Ark,” where we had “After the Flood.”
Right?
RIGHT?!
The Man Who F#&%ED Up Time
Issues: 3-5
Rating: 3.9/5 stars
Issue 3: The editors are murdering Neanderthals. Excuse me while I take time to laugh.
In this issue, we learn why Mary-Anne and Sean broke up. Sean’s thoughts when his head was cut off kind of frustrate me, but at least he blames himself (in a way) for his predicament.
The future police seem to be able to get things back on track, though I like how they can’t do everything. We have to own up to our individual mistakes.
And learn from them!
I just keep reading and think “Oh, Sean. What have you done NOW? (or really, THEN)?!”
But. Oh. I think I know what those doo-hickies are....(and I’m right).
And sweet baby Moses at the primordial ooze he finds himself in. At least the editors are there with him! ;)
Mid-issue 4 this thing becomes super loopy and reminds me why time travel stories often irritate me.
Issue 5: The editors are “Yesterday’s News,” which leaves a final taste in the reading.
Thankfully. I figured Whodunnit as well.
The ending was okay.
Undone by Blood
Issues: 2-5
Rating: 4.7/5 stars
We see the present, the past, and the fiction in these issues. I absolutely love how the colors, word bubbles, and fonts change between these breaks, making it easy to know what you are reading.
Ethel finds her way to the police station, and both the Chief and night deputy recognize her, though they’re “not at liberty” to say anything about the investigation about her parents. It makes sense but it’s still frustrating.
It’s also frustrating how Ethel keeps thinking herself as an adult when she’s just barely 18.
We get glimpses into her past, the night her family was killed. There’s a creepy guy at the motel that night who is nastily disturbing and makes me want to vomit.
And who maybe gives a hint as to why Ethel is reading “Shadow of a Wanted Man.” (in issue 3, we learn otherwise, but it makes it even more relatable).
In “Shadow of a Wanted Man,” Sol Eaton seeks out help in getting back his son from the Mosquito Gang (a name that makes me laugh at the inanity).
And he knows secrets don’t stay secret for long.
In issue 3, there is a Bible verse on the school wall behind Ethel, which is telling.
In issue 4, Ethel really shows her age (teenagers…) and I’m really glad the cops are still working on her family’s case. On the other hand, it makes perfect sense that they wouldn’t know everything that’s going on in town!
And yet, she’s not the only one with an issue with the chief. It’s sobering to see how emotionally destroyed many in the town are.
The parallels between her and Sol become even more obvious. Sol is dealing with a gang...Ethel is dealing with some drug dealers. Sol seeks out hired guns...Ethel wants to buy one. Both wander the streets to get closer to their foes. And both lose trust in certain people.
Issue 5 nearly had me in terrified tears. We see exactly what happens the night Ethel’s family is killed, and it’s worse than I thought.
She confronts the killers with inexperience.
Sol confronts his son’s kidnappers with a lot more experience.
Both their foes want money and to stay away from the law.
Both have arson in their back pockets.
That is an unsatisfying end, but not an awful one. Just...life.
I AM SO GLAD THERE WILL BE MORE NEXT YEAR.
- Godkillers (2-5)
- Join the Future (2-5)
- The Man Who F#&%ED Up Time (3-5)
- Undone by Blood (2-5)
Individual series information can be found here
Series: Godkillers
Issues: 2-5
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
I love how each issue has the same setup for how character names are provided, though I still struggle because I often have facial recognition issues with comics.
I don’t like how issues 4 and 5 don’t include the mission/personnel files with the redacted information.
2. There are very interesting contractions and the truth that “the unexplained” is not necessarily supernatural. And “the supernatural isn’t proof of an afterlife.” While I disagree with the latter, I understand where Alhazred is coming from.
- There is a Penanggalon--a bodyless vampire---that ISIS is fighting against. The Godkillers think that dealing with her may help their mission, whether or not they believe in her influence. Believing that OTHERS believe is sometimes important enough...especially since the devil may derive in different forms. I like that, and I like that others don’t mock or talk down to others who believe in different things. They recognize others’ faiths for what they are.
- Oh man, Boyo (I am tickled at that surname) is definitely in war crime territory.
3. I am almost humored that Alhazred tries to banish a Djinn with the name Allah. But since he doesn’t believe, and since the Djinn is under a different supernatural issue, nothing happens. It’s a bit sobering to learn that the Djinn is not what they were sent to deal with (aside from ISIS).
- Other myths reveal themselves to be real, and Alhazred craves faith even more (which intrigues me greatly).
- John Elliot is slime.
- There is a very cool spread and panels when the Russians arrive.
- The end of issue 3 is utterly creepy.
4. Now, because of Alhazzred’s stunt with the Djinn, an international war has broken out...and the Godkillers are blamed for everything. Because that makes more sense than the mythological truth. Those beings are ages old and full of deceit and magic.
- The place of the witch that first appears in the Ukraine is creepy as hell and my hairs stand on end which doesn’t normally happen when I read any of the creepy comics.
5. We learn both U.S. and Russia have had supernatural weapons of mass destruction, which is scary and believable. Regarding Koschei, I like how he puts things in perspective. Baba Yaga is ultra scary...and I’m more inclined towards Koschei because he refuses to be her fourth Horseman.
- This has a decent conclusion, though I would like to see more with this group!
Series: Join the Future
Issues: 2-5
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
For this series, the title spread a few pages in works. I don’t like it in other series.
Clem Libbey has lost nearly everyone she loves and now has to decide: does she or does she not join the future?
After seeing what the agent, sheriff, and deputies did, she opts out and focuses on revenge (in the guise of justice). The problem is that THEY know she is missing, and unlike the past (ie: our day), the cities won’t turn a “blind eye” to anyone “in need”-even if they don’t want/need the help.
The terraforming machines are eerie.
We learn how important real food is, and not just from hunting. Real, cooked food. It’s interesting.
The training Clem gets from the Trader is very interesting, and reminiscent of most other trainings we see characters partake in. But it really works for this genre, this series. And it brings the two closer together, allowing us to see just how much the cities--overreliance on technology--takes away.
But sometimes? Sometime that tech is exactly what we need.
End of issue 3: Well, crap.
Holy cow. In issue 4, is that an underwater city? Is that what the terraforming has done?
The agent and his troopers go to absolute extremes to get Clem, which makes me seriously wonder /why?/ They chase her to what looks like an abandoned city--something that would exist in our days. So...the new cities of The Future aren’t an extension of our own?
The fact that the machines can’t deal with fire is interesting. It also makes sense, given that fire has a mind of its own.
And Clem takes advantage of that.
Then we learn that the terraforming machines interfere with other electronics. Very. Interesting.
I like her tech-free booby traps. Sometimes we all get caught up with the technology that we forget that simple can truly be better.
Hm. But I do like the shields the troopers have.
That was a good end to issue 5.
But NOT a good end to the series. There HAS to be more, right? A new arc? Kind of like “Dark Ark,” where we had “After the Flood.”
Right?
RIGHT?!
The Man Who F#&%ED Up Time
Issues: 3-5
Rating: 3.9/5 stars
Issue 3: The editors are murdering Neanderthals. Excuse me while I take time to laugh.
In this issue, we learn why Mary-Anne and Sean broke up. Sean’s thoughts when his head was cut off kind of frustrate me, but at least he blames himself (in a way) for his predicament.
The future police seem to be able to get things back on track, though I like how they can’t do everything. We have to own up to our individual mistakes.
And learn from them!
I just keep reading and think “Oh, Sean. What have you done NOW? (or really, THEN)?!”
But. Oh. I think I know what those doo-hickies are....(and I’m right).
And sweet baby Moses at the primordial ooze he finds himself in. At least the editors are there with him! ;)
Mid-issue 4 this thing becomes super loopy and reminds me why time travel stories often irritate me.
Issue 5: The editors are “Yesterday’s News,” which leaves a final taste in the reading.
Thankfully. I figured Whodunnit as well.
The ending was okay.
Undone by Blood
Issues: 2-5
Rating: 4.7/5 stars
We see the present, the past, and the fiction in these issues. I absolutely love how the colors, word bubbles, and fonts change between these breaks, making it easy to know what you are reading.
Ethel finds her way to the police station, and both the Chief and night deputy recognize her, though they’re “not at liberty” to say anything about the investigation about her parents. It makes sense but it’s still frustrating.
It’s also frustrating how Ethel keeps thinking herself as an adult when she’s just barely 18.
We get glimpses into her past, the night her family was killed. There’s a creepy guy at the motel that night who is nastily disturbing and makes me want to vomit.
And who maybe gives a hint as to why Ethel is reading “Shadow of a Wanted Man.” (in issue 3, we learn otherwise, but it makes it even more relatable).
In “Shadow of a Wanted Man,” Sol Eaton seeks out help in getting back his son from the Mosquito Gang (a name that makes me laugh at the inanity).
And he knows secrets don’t stay secret for long.
In issue 3, there is a Bible verse on the school wall behind Ethel, which is telling.
In issue 4, Ethel really shows her age (teenagers…) and I’m really glad the cops are still working on her family’s case. On the other hand, it makes perfect sense that they wouldn’t know everything that’s going on in town!
And yet, she’s not the only one with an issue with the chief. It’s sobering to see how emotionally destroyed many in the town are.
The parallels between her and Sol become even more obvious. Sol is dealing with a gang...Ethel is dealing with some drug dealers. Sol seeks out hired guns...Ethel wants to buy one. Both wander the streets to get closer to their foes. And both lose trust in certain people.
Issue 5 nearly had me in terrified tears. We see exactly what happens the night Ethel’s family is killed, and it’s worse than I thought.
She confronts the killers with inexperience.
Sol confronts his son’s kidnappers with a lot more experience.
Both their foes want money and to stay away from the law.
Both have arson in their back pockets.
That is an unsatisfying end, but not an awful one. Just...life.
I AM SO GLAD THERE WILL BE MORE NEXT YEAR.