W0rldtr33 #5: The Truth Is Out

In the final issue of the series story arc, new secrets are revealed as well as new scenarios and questions that set up a new arc for the reader to anticipate as this is far from the end. There’s an unsurprising death (and surprising survivor) and a look into the future of the state of the world because of the actions from the events that have led up to this issue. In a new-age horror series, this issue focused more on the horror aspect than the new-age tech/sci-fi elements, but it still delivers a great punch to the characters in the story that makes the reader wonder what has happened between 2024 and 2049.

Tynion’s writing in this series has been stellar all throughout, and this issue continues to show the levels of depth he brings to the story. This issue shows the reader for the first time the state of affairs of the world as a result of w0rldtr33.net in the future, giving a bleak, post-apocalyptic look at the results of the current attempts to stop the Undernet (there’s even what seems to be a little bit of an homage/comparison between mutants and Sentinels from Marvel’s X-Men). Although this issue still leaves questions for the reader, such as how did Sammi become PH34R, it’s clear that the story is fall from over and that he has plans for this story to continue on. The most interesting relationship he has written in this series is Sammi’s PH34R with the group of friends and her brother. Although she appears to be somehow connected to the Undernet, there’s still a part of Sammi that connects with them, especially since she has been given multiple opportunities to stop and kill them all but decides not to (with the one exception that would be a spoiler if revealed in this review).

The artwork by Blanco, Bellaire, and Bidikar continues to be stellar. Given the time jumps in this issue, the colors by Bellaire did a wonderful job in letting the reader know what time setting they’re reading to the point that the year was probably not necessary to have (although it definitely helps). The use of compositions really helped tell the story in critical moments, especially when they are looking at what’s happening all over the world. It’s truly astonishing how this team keeps leveling up the art to give that sci-fi horror feel that you hardly see in other comics or graphic novels at the same level.