Pariah #4
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The good
Suspenseful series of events with the type of problem solving that highlights the vitros special abilities. Stakes raised with the conclusion of this issue
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The bad
Lila and Franklin back in the forefront together.
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The ugly
- Total score
Pariah #4 opens up with the vitros on celebrating their newfound freedom after Hal was able to remove all traces of the space station from the Earth’s monitoring systems. In the midst of this excitement, Lila brings Franklin up with her to stand in front of the other vitros despite knowing from secret files that he was part of the plan to round-up the vitros and the fact that the other vitros view him as a traitor. And that’s because she believes this is the time for the vitros to start anew and choose their own destiny without any limitations or concerns about Earth. And Franklin, not one to shy from the attention, decides to make a speech about the past being behind them, and even though it was effective in swaying some, not all were convinced about the leadership. And indeed the leadership would be tested again when a nuclear missile exploding in the atmosphere is detected and it’s learned that its intended target was their space station. It’s true their exact location is unknown but it’s only a matter of time using triangulation based on the results of the explosions that one of the many nukes Marinus has will hit its mark. Just when the vitros thought they were free to pursue whatever they wanted they now have to solve the biggest problem they’ve faced to date and that’s a countdown to nuclear destruction.
I was tremendously surprised by the last issue, which was by far the best issue in the series, and it gave me the best understanding of the current events so I could feel invested in them for the first time. But I was somewhat apprehensive approaching this issue because unlike the previous one, which had an interesting protagonist and engrossing chain of events, this issue was returning to the space station where I’ve had all the problems with the series. Now I’ve come to accept that events took place in a previous series so I won’t be familiar with the backstory of all the characters or events but the start of this issue made me wonder if I missed a big moment last issue when Hyde was suddenly back at the forefront and confidently speaking like he could be leader of the vitros. It was perplexing because he was imprisoned and Hal just gave them information about how he made a deal to betray all the vitros on top of that. But I chose to ignore it for the purpose of the story moving forward and things picked up once the first nuclear missile was shot at them. And this time around I didn’t just get annoyed with Lila and Franklin arguing once again in the midst of a crisis, I begin to strongly dislike them, Franklin more than Lila. And as vitros they were very perplexing to me because they don’t seem to bring anything to the table as vitros. So there was a moment I really enjoyed that put an end to this and it took a few issues too long to reach it but I felt a slight satisfaction when it finally happened. And after that things became more enjoyable, and the issue focused on problem solving and displaying the unique talents of the vitros as well as what makes them so interesting. There is enough suspense in the story considering the likelihood of everyone actually getting destroyed on the space station but things still unfolded in an entertaining way. And the stakes are raised higher at the end of this issue than any other, and now I’m thinking it’s finally found a consistent stride after 4 issues. And hopefully Franklin won’t somehow be in charge again at the start of next issue.
SUMMARY
Pariah #4 starts off with the same problems that plagued the earlier issues but thankfully moves past them in time to become a tg, suspenseful ride where more interesting protagonists emerge. And since the status quo inside the station has changed I have hope that the series has found its stride and future issues will be overall just as entertaining, if not more. And with the stakes being raised incredibly high at the end of this issue I cannot wait to see what’s next for the vitros and Earth.
Release Date: 5/29/14
Writer: Aron Warner, Philip Gelatt
Artist: Brett Weldele
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