This series surprised a few people with it’s high quality upon its debut 4 months ago, especially seeing as it had actor Stephen Baldwin’s name attached to it. I’m glad I gave this a go though and I recommend picking up the eventual Trade when it arrives, particularly if fast paced thrillers with something a little extra are your thing.
As I’ve said before, The Remnant has been created as a Trade read, with its hectic story that doesn’t let up. There’s no chance to stop and catch your breath. You just have to run to keep up.
This final issue begins seconds from last month’s final page, with the mysterious woman with David’s wife, Sara in her sights laying bleeding in the street. Homeland Security wants answers from David and Sara but must fight to keep them both alive, as well as fighting against them at times.
This isn’t the high point for the series. It needed an extra issue or two to tie up loose ends, and with the rather ambivalent ending quite possibly involving the Rapture, it just may get it. I’d expect a Volume 2 to eventually be released. The supernatural elements that have been hinted at throughout this title come to the fore here, but rather awkwardly so. With characters espousing fate, prophecy and chaos it all seems like a flood, rather than a subtle wave. The Remnant has gone from Bourne to something else entirely in just one issue. It’s not enough to make me dislike this series, as it’s hooked me from the beginning. Caleb Monroe has an impressive handle on pace and artist Julian Totino Tedesco’s fluid figures and superb layouts, with great use of space get me every time. However, I was expecting more with the conclusion. If there is more to come, I’ll be happy. If not, this is a disappointing end to an otherwise uniquely engaging series.
I trust BOOM! Studios, and while as a fanboy putting your trust in a comic book publisher may be as wise as trusting your ability to get a hotel room at Comic-Con, I feel confident with this one. Lately BOOM! has lifted their game. Series like Station and the recent Hexed and The Remnant have really wowed me. Since Mark Waid has come on board they seem to be putting out quality titles consistently and are showing no signs of slowing down just yet. One of their latest projects is by writer Mark Sable (DC’s Cyborg and Two-Face: Year One) and Julian Totino Tedesco (artist on The Remnant). I can’t explain this series better than the press release, so here it is: They’ve been hired to think the UNTHINKABLE. But what happens when the unthinkable actually happens? After 9-11, best-selling author Alan Ripley joins a government think tank consisting of the most imaginative minds in diverse fields. Their job? Think of nightmare scenarios and crippling terrorist attacks so the government can safeguard against them. But what happens when the think tank folds, and the attacks start to happen? 
Writer Caleb Monroe continues his tightening of this supernatural espionage tale. The Remnant so far has managed to successfully weave in elements of different genres without any one empowering the other. Jason Bourne casts his shadow over this series, with retired CIA gent David Sacker attempting to forge a new life with his wife Sara while not being allowed to by his employers, and a new menace on the horizon.
At this point I may as well start copying and pasting my praise from my previous reviews. The penultimate issue of this mini-series retains what has made fans and critics take notice in the first place, namely tight plotting and varied visuals.
This series from BOOM! Studios made an impression on me last month. I remain impressed. Written by Caleb Monroe from a story by Andrew Cosby and Stephen Baldwin (yes, that one) The Remnant throws in elements involving the supernatural, espionage thrillers and action films into a melting pot and scoops out the juicy bi-products.
When an actor’s name appears on the cover of a comic, us fanboys become skeptical. Heroes hottie Milo Ventimiglia’s name is stamped on Rest from Devil’s Due and more familiar names like Nicolas Cage have had their input on comics, thanks to Virgin (who also had something in the works with Hugh Jackman. I guess we won’t be holding our breath for that one, thanks to their recent downsizing). Kevin Smith seems like the only name that makes fans flock to his comics, regardless of an inconsistent output. And do you notice how it’s usually the indie publishers that pull this? Marvel and DC don’t.
BOOM! Studios has wisely chosen a good, familiar franchise with Farscape and they’re not the only one. Dark Horse has Buffy, IDW has Angel and Doctor Who and Star Trek. TV franchises work, because they have a built in audience. They work even more when they’re faithful adaptations, in-continuity and carry on what the TV series began. Because Buffy has been promoted as the official next season by creator Joss Whedon himself, Dark Horse, and the industry, has been rewarded with a greater audience, and a new one at that. Hopefully BOOM! will have a similar response. I was never a huge fan of Farscape, but it has my respect for being a sci-fi series filmed in Australia and for using puppets. Thanks to the Jim Henson Company, no less! Well, Christmas Eve is the launch of the new Farscape comic, which picks up straight after the events of The Peacekeeper Wars mini-series. This was originally slated for a November release but has been pushed back to allow for some fine-tuning. The comic is written by Farscape creator Rockne O’Bannon and Keith R.A. DeCandido, with art by Tommy Patterson. Preview pages are below to give you a glimpse of John Crichton and co. once more.
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