Terminator Salvation: The Final Battle #2 is the second part of the 12 part series that focuses on the end of the Terminator Wars. It picks up with the 3 terminators from the future with Dr. Kogan as she works on getting herself checked out from the hospital. She doesn’t need to stay there anymore because she’s been waiting for them to come with the promise of curing her terminal cancer. They proceed to take her to her research facility where one of the terminators would stay with her to begin the treatment process. This is all amazing to her and she reflects on when she first received the news of her cancer and being given 6 months, and then receiving the message promising to save her. But she received more than a promise as the information she would receive would allow her to benefit financially and build the research facility that would now be used. But as it was made clear in the first issue, the terminators didn’t just travel back to the past to cure Dr. Kogan of cancer, nor where they the only ones sent back. The terminators as well as Simon, the resistance fighter sent back, are trying to track down the escaped psycho killer Thomas Parnell because of his important role in history, which hasn’t been fully revealed yet. However Simon is hot on his trail but will this be enough to thwart whatever plans the 3 terminators have with Thomas? John Connor in the future thinks it will be but has he miscalculated?

I loved the first issue and the excitement I had for this series increase tremendously as it exceeded my expectations. The clear way the story line spanning 2 time periods was laid out was wonderful and pulled me in completely. And my intrigue of the purpose of those sent in the past to pursue Thomas Parnell was very high as well. And this issue started off really good with Simon narrowing in on Thomas’ location, and the terminators and Dr. Kogan working on their research facility. Curing Dr. Kogan and working on this facility was an excellent plan, at least as much as has been shown. However when it gets back to the future it slows down some and feels like John Connor repeats what we already know and that’s their striving to destroy Skynet. I know this speech was to rally the troops as opposed to telling those closest to him but in comparison to the events taking place in the past it was definitely less compelling this time around. There isn’t just exposition in this issue as there would be a confrontation and the action was exciting when these groups met although it was very brief. And that’s part of my issue with this, uh, issue. It’s definitely a good thing when an issue is so good that time flies while you’re reading it but when I reached the end of this issue it felt like more of a set up for future events as opposed to the set up from the first issue paying off. And I’m referring to it as a set up for future events instead of stating that not much progress was made story wise because I’m giving the slight benefit of the doubt since the first issue was good. However John Connor’s speech just highlights my feelings on how more could have occurred in this issue in terms of developments, or an answer or two could’ve been given. The story line is still extremely intriguing but apparently answers will have to wait.

SUMMARY 

Terminator Salvation: The Final Battle #2 is a good issue but feels like more developments could have taken place instead of elaborating on what occurred in the first issue. It was good to see Dr. Kogan starting on the research facility and what occurred after she was first contacted, and this aspect of Skynet’s plans is still interesting. The hunt for Thomas Parnell moves forward and with his characterization I’m starting to imagine why he would be useful to the terminators even if it’s not completely clear yet. This is still a must read series for me and I’m hoping next issue moves the story along more.

Release Date: 1/1/14

Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

Artist: Pete Woods