Terminator Salvation: The Final Battle #9 Review

Does this title stay on target? Read on to find out.

The official description from Dark Horse:

The killer Thomas Parnell’s control over the Terminator army has brought both Skynet and the human resistance to their knees. With all of John Connor’s other allies fallen or displaced in time, only he and the resurrected Marcus Wright remain to stand against this psychotic oppressor!

What really irks me about this book is how this creative took what many fans dismissed and crafted something that’s downright engaging. Born from a fourth film, that many would like to forget, they’ve focused in on the primary elements that matter. Through that precision we’re given a continuation that’s superior as it stands ready and able to please.

J. Michael Straczynski deserves a lot of credit, as the author continues to prove his grasp on not only the Terminator mythology but the science fiction genre as a whole. Through the interactions in the past and future eager enthusiasts are finally seeing the makings of a final battle between mankind and our technological nightmare, though to be fair it’s shaping up a bit differently than I think anyone could of expected. With all that said there were moments where the dialogue felt a bit too thick, slowing the narrative progression. Even so the entirety of this outing kept me enthused all the way to its well crafted cliffhanger.

The illustrations handed in by Pete Woods are exactly what this franchise needs. From John Connor to the machines the important details are kept intact, even as the stylized pencil strokes evoke just a little bit more creativity. When translating characters between mediums it’s easy to get caught in an attempt to capture what the audience expects. Thankfully for this visual component it carries sturdy panels plus expert designs that are further complimented courtesy of a finely tuned palette by Matt Wilson. In other words: the pictures are optimal for this mission.

Terminator Salvation: The Final Battle #9 happens to maintain its already established level of quality. Skynet would agree, as this comic deserves a spot on your pull-list. Recommended.