Comic Book Resources

Voluminous Vertigo Week: Exterminators #26

DC's Vertigo line of comics puts out some of the best comics by either Marvel or DC, and this week, a staggering FIVE good Vertigo comic books were released - let's talk about them - BC.

Sadly, Exterminators is coming to a close in a few short months with #30, which is a real shame, as the book has been a lot of fun, particularly when the issues spotlight the main plot of the series (Exterminators against killer bugs who are secretly planning a war against modern society), which this issue does.

Writer Simon Oliver has been blessed by the artistic talent on this series. From regular artist (and series co-creator) Tony Moore to guest artists Darick Robertson, John Lucas and this issue's Ty Templeton (think about it Templeton and Robertson are the FILL-IN ARTISTS on this book! How awesome is that?).

This issue focuses on a longtime storyline in this series, which is the rise of the protagonist (Henry)'s ex girlfriend to the head of a corporation that is quite evil, and is in league with the bugs. In this issue, Henry tries to discover whether she is a willing accomplice, or if she is being fooled (she is being fooled, by the way).

A drawback, if you can even call it that, of the series has been the way Oliver is often all over the place with the stories in the comic. While I appreciate his eclectic flair, I probably would like it better if the story was a bit more straightforward, which this issue (and the recent Darick Robertson illustrated story) was.

There is little creepier than an army of killer bugs crawling all over you, and Oliver uses this to great effect, especially a scene where a character walks into a room of bugs copulating. SOOO gross, but effective gross.

Henry's current girlfriend is a dancer at a "literary fantasy" place, which is a cute idea by Oliver. She is an interesting character, but so is Henry's ex-girlfriend, who thinks that she is finally taking control of her life, while in reality, she is being manipulated the whole way through. Her reaction when this dawns on her is well done by Oliver.

Ty Templeton's artwork is good, as usual. I'd like to see him get a new series.

Anyhow, this issue was quite good, with a depressing ending (a nice counter to this weeks' Fables). I can't wait until I see how Oliver ties this all up in only four issues.

Recommended.