Review: Plunge #4
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer:Â Joe Hill
Artist: Stuart Immonen
Colors:Â Dave Stewart
Letters:Â Deron Bennett
Reviewer:Â Tony Farina
Summary
Moriah, Bill, Russell, and the rest of the MacReady’s crew get an unexpectedly intimate tour inside the minds of their eyeless new friends. Meanwhile, Lacome does the math and comes to an alarming conclusion.
Positives
Plunge #4 is so gross. I mean that in the nicest way. The variant cover is nightmare inducing. The thing you see on the cover actually happens in the book, so that is a nice twist. Seriously, Stuart Immonen is just toying with us. Zombies, creepy crawlies and evil masterminds all in one book and the all seem three dimensional and totally real.
I voted for Dave Stewart for an Eisner this year because his colors in everything he does are just special. This book is no different. The way he makes the water seem wet and the blood feel sticky is exceptional. Wear a rain coat before you crack this book open.
Joe Hill is so smart. In good zombie tales, the baddies are not always the zombies. They are the threat, but the real villain, is among the living. What he does with that concept here is so good. I mean, I actually hate one of the characters in this book. He is not real. He has only been in existence for four issues, and yet, I hate him and hope for the zombies to take him down before it is over. Only an excellent writer can make one feel that way. Bravo Mr. Hill. Bravo.
Negatives
There is a LOT of exposition and standing around talking in this issue. Sure, we need to know what is going on, but the baddie gives a James Bond villain kind of explanation of everything. This is ship full of smart folks. I think I would much rather someone else figure it out. It is a minor complaint regarding what has been a great series so far.
Verdict
Plunge #4 slows the series down a bit, but, sometimes, you just have to do that. Not everything can be at breakneck speed. Sometimes, you just have to breath. Of course, the ick factor is cranked up to 99 here, so there is that too. I think this issue is just one of those things that happen in a mini-series. We need to re-calibrate. Issue 4 of 6 is often the best time to do just that.
