Ascender #16: The Gang’s All Here, Time to Start the Fireworks!

Tim-21 was hoping to save his extended family.  It didn’t work. The Gnishians and the vampires have followed his trail to Dirishu-6.  Tim’s ready for a fight, but will he be enough to defeat all of their enemies in one place?

Subplot

On Sampson, we learn the truth about Kanto and the other villagers. Everything is not what it seems.  Father Truitt has been keeping secrets.

The Words

There isn’t a single wasted panel or word in Ascender #16.  Each page increases the action or the tension building up to the last page “So it ends.”

The Art

Presenting the story visually is a comics master, Dustin Nguyen.  He’s giving us magic, science fiction, multiple characters, big action, and small emotions. And it all works together.  Dragons and spaceships seem like an odd pairing, but we are never pulled out of the story.

Themes

Ascender 16 is all about the plot as the various storylines come together, but we have two small theme beats that are important to the larger story: ‘what does it mean to be real’ and ‘karma – coming back to bite you’.

Who’s In this Issue?

All of our favorites make an appearance this issue.

Tim-21, Mila, Bandit, Driller, Doctor Quon, Effie, Andy, Tesla, the remainder of the UGC leadership, Gnishians, vampires, Mother and her sister

Favorite Quote

“Driller’s done enough running. Driller’s not leaving you again, little bot.” Driller

Who will like it?

If you are a fan of huge science fiction epics that balance giant stories with a strong human element, buy Ascender.

I need more!

If you haven’t already, check out the three collected editions: Ascender
Vol. 1: The Haunted Galaxy, Ascender Vol. 2: The Dead Sea, and Ascender Vol. 3: The Digital Mage.

Nit-pick

The cover could have been better.  The entire world of Ascender to illustrate, and we get a bat.