Twilight Zone #6: Review

Diana Clark has been blessed — or cursed — with the ability to see the future. And what she’s seen has made for a hell of an issue.

Here’s the official word from Dynamite:

Diana Clark has discovered she can see the future. There’s a lot to be said for that power. A lot of ways you can make money. A lot of ways to protect yourself from harm. But when one of those visions involves a mushroom cloud rising over the city, Diana must choose between saving her own life, and risking it all to save millions.

After a relatively solid start Straczynski introduced a new tale last issue that featured a throw-away character from that original arc — a bodega girl who served the protagonist coffee, and, we learn, has suddenly gained the ability to see the future. But that’s not all. She can also read minds and these two gifts have suddenly provided her with a nagging sense that New York City is in danger from a terrorist cell. For those of you old enough to remember the Dead Zone, you’ll find many similar moments in this sixth issue of the Twilight Zone. But what you’ll also find is Straczynski’s unique sense of pacing; scenes are doled out delicately and tension is built nicely throughout. While NY in the crosshairs is not a necessarily a unique premise Straczynski’s suggestion that Diana’s powers have an ancient origin is — and so far this newest storyline has been a treat.

The only aspect of Straczynski’s that feels a bit undercooked is the presentation of this issue’s antagonist — a (presumably) middle-eastern tourist who’s also (presumably) a terrorist. For a writer of Straczynski’s caliber I’d hoped for a little more. Much like the “Russian Villain” of the 80s, this trope has been so overdone in popular fiction that the characterization falls flat and, frankly, feels uncreative.

Guiu Vilanova’s art has really grown on me. His lines feel much looser now, as though he’s grown comfortable with the content. He lingers longer on expressions, allowing the characters to really act. The joy of this particular issue is the flashbacks — Vilanova clearly enjoys toggling between modern day NY and ancient times.

Overall, the second arc of the Twilight Zone is off to a beautiful start. And I hope it stays that way.