Following the previous release, where does this latest volume take the franchise?  Should you care?  Read on to find out.

The official description from Aspen:

Not much hope remains as Lord Slive and his fear creatures have gained control over Perspecta and the Earth. Though all seems lost, Theo isn’t giving up and heads to a forgotten land where one last bastion of help may reside. However, the journey itself is a task very few have ever survived, and Theo’s chances of making it are not looking up!

There’s a lot to enjoy in this outing, as otherworldly forces collide in our realm when this primary cast comes face to face.  The creative team builds a striking narrative that’s just as inviting as it needs to be as the path they play in enters a fourth round that’s bound with consequences.  In short: the comic book is a great deal of fun.

Frank Mastromauro pens the script and the co-creator of the property does a masterful job playing with the toys he’s builyt.  Considering the most recent cliffhanger this portion opens right in the middle of a heightened situation.  Our protagonist is faced with some complications that are bound to drag him to Perspecta, whether he wants to go or not.  From the first page to the final panel the author delivers consistent and lively discussions but there were times when the dialogue felt a bit too sluggish for its own good, as the characters beat around the points of the plot.

The art featured in this outing is expertly realized by Jonathan Marks.  He gives the world a distinct but believable feel that more than welcomes current or future followers.  I specifically enjoyed the more comedic moments, especially ones involving the out of this world entities and a slew of ice cream or boy trouble.  I did find a few instances where the details were lacking leaving sequences with too much negative space but the majority of the work accomplished what it needed to.

Shrugged (vol.2) #4 is a good entry that stumbles very slightly as it earns a recommendation.

3.5/5