The Terrifics #10
Joe Bainbridge
Recap
In this issue Sapphire has uncovered that the infamous Doc Dread is in fact Java the caveman. Threatened by Java, Sapphire tries to escape and is rescued by the Terrifics who question Java. As they aggravate him he attacks Rex and flies off but they are quickly attacked again by a giant celestial being called the Dark Elder. The Terrifics attack the being but seem unable to harm it, but Tom Strong believes that they can send it back to the Dark Multiverse with his beacon. Plastic Man, Mr Terrific and Tom search for the beacon and rebuild it while the others continue their attempts to fight the Elder as Doc Dread flees the scene. Mr Terrific returns and plants the beacon into the head of the being, sending it back to the Dark Mulitverse.
Safe, for now, Rex decides that it is time for him to leave the Terrifics now hat he has no powers. At the protests of Stagg, he leaves with Sapphire.
As Phantom Girl turns to Plastic Man for help she finds him gone too. Left with Mr Terrific, he tells her that they were never really a team and now that they are no longer bound by multiversal powers, the Terrifics are no more! But Doc Dread sees this and plans his next move
Review
This issue followed the four heroes as they teamed up with Ton Strong to finally face Doc Dread. The confrontation was built up last issue but the outcome was lacklustre. I felt that I had been cheated out of a good showdown between the main characters and their primary villain. Though looks like a cheap Doctor Doom, he has no command over any scene he is in. Even the evil Dark Elder, though he looked amazing, had no gravitas and their fight had no stakes to it.
Lemire’s writing fell flat and felt clunky from the beginning up to Rex leaving the team. His reasons were sound and it felt like an emotional time for these characters. Though Lemire is good at the family related scenes, he fails on the action and the story.
The art of the Elder was creepy and awesome, and as usual he makes Plastic Man goofy and fun, while keeping him useful for the team.
Final Thoughts
A relatively boring conclusion to the running arc with the high points being noted as the team discussing their relationship, something I never thought I’d enjoy more than the action or plot.
The Terrifics #10: Dread the Caveman
- Writing - 4.9/104.9/10
- Storyline - 5.5/105.5/10
- Art - 7.1/107.1/10
- Color - 7.6/107.6/10
- Cover Art - 6.5/106.5/10