Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Sequential PlanetSequential Planet
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Comic Books
      • Comic Book News
      • Comic Book Reviews
      • Comic Book Features
    • Video Games
      • Video Game Features
      • Video Game News
      • Video Game Reviews
    • Tabletop Games
      • Tabletop Game Features
      • Tabletop Game News
      • Tabletop Game Reviews
    • Anime
      • Anime Features
      • Anime News
      • Anime Reviews
    • Movies
      • Movie Features
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
    • TV
    • More
    • About + Contact
      • About Our Staff
      • Contact Us
    Sequential PlanetSequential Planet
    Home»Comic Books»Comic Book Reviews»Comic Review: Cemetery Beach #5
    Comic Book Reviews

    Comic Review: Cemetery Beach #5

    Matthew DillonBy Matthew DillonJanuary 8, 2019No Comments3 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Cemetery Beach #5

    Image Comics

    Writer: Warren Ellis

    Artist: Joshua Howard

     

    While somewhat lacking when it comes to world building and character development, Cemetery Beach #5 puts it’s a new spin on its endless chase. After a disastrous encounter with the secessionists of Drum and the colony’s soldiers, Michael and Grace take a more terrestrial path to reach their means of escape. While the book wasn’t completely restricted to the air previously, the combat now feels a lot more three dimensional. What’s happening on the ground is equally important as what’s happening above it. Previously the book favored one over the other. Additionally, Cemetery Beach #5 finally shows the “normal” people of this setting. Albeit in a very limited manner. Even then, seeing regular city dwellers amidst all this chaos says enough on its own. Especially when you consider what came before them.

    Cemetery Beach #5 also tries to give Michael more of a motivation than just “escape.” Unfortunately, it’s not very original. After some more daring feats, Grace informs Michael that she has him figured it out. Michael is seeking a “good” death, hence his willingness to brave a hostile world and put himself in danger. I expected something a little more original, especially from an Ellis book. However, Michael’s subsequent actions, which lead to some questionable deaths, and his subdued response makes me suspect Cemetery Beach is intentionally misleading the reader. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time and the other characters’ insane, contradictory beliefs set a certain precedent.

    Once again, credits to Jason Howard’s energetic artwork. I imagine even a writer as talented as Ellis would have trouble with such a bizarre setting and simplistic setup. Chase scenes are difficult to pull off, especially in the context of a comic. Pat Mills famously said that part of his inspiration for Nemesis the Warlock came from complaints about a pursuit heavy Ro-Busters story he wrote. But Howard’s art gives Cemetery Beach enough excitement to rival similar content in movies and TV show. His visuals have a flow and liveliness to them that all mediums, not just comics, could use more of. The style itself is perfectly suited for the world of Cemetery Beach, as it’s bizarre without being indecipherable. The book’s dystopia is distinctly human, not alien.

    With only two issues left, it’s impressive to see how Cemetery Beach has stayed on track all the way through. It’s not the most cerebral Ellis’ story but it shows that he can handle a more conventional comic narrative just as well as his more experimental ones. At this point, Cemetery Beach only needs to keep its momentum.

    Cemtery Beach #5

    8.2 Like It

    Cemetery Beach #5 might not be the most challenging book but it's exceptionally well made.

    • Story 8.5
    • Characters 7
    • Art 9
    • User Ratings (0 Votes) 0
    cemetery beach Comic Book Review Comic Books image Image Comics Joshua Howard warren ellis
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
    Matthew Dillon
    • Website

    Matt Dillon enjoys comics, games, and movies and has been writing about them since High School. He was disappointed to learn you can’t major in 80s comic books.

    Related Posts

    First Impressions: MIND MGMT Playing Cards

    May 15, 2025

    Red & Blue: Monster Hunters Coming to English Readers This December

    April 22, 2025

    One Piece: The Best Stuff In The Whole Cake Arc

    November 5, 2024
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    Thanks for submitting your comment!
    Latest
    7.0

    Video Game Mini-Review: Star Overdrive

    May 15, 2025

    First Impressions: MIND MGMT Playing Cards

    May 15, 2025

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Expansion ‘Brushes with Death’ Launches Today

    May 15, 2025
    7.5

    Video Game Mini Review: Maliki: Poison of the Past

    May 13, 2025

    Board Game Review: Harrow County: The Game of Gothic Conflict

    May 13, 2025

    Board Game Review: A Message From The Stars

    April 25, 2025

    Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma and Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Pre-Orders Go Live for Nintendo Platforms

    April 25, 2025

    Maliki: Poison of the Past Brings Cozy Time-Traveling RPG to Switch and PC

    April 24, 2025

    Board Game Review: Furnace

    April 22, 2025

    Red & Blue: Monster Hunters Coming to English Readers This December

    April 22, 2025
    Categories

    Sequential Planet Copyright © 2018.

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    © 2025 Sequential Planet

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.