Comic Review: Oblivion Song #9

Oblivion Song #9

Image Comics

Writer: Robert Kirkman

Artist: Lorenzo De Felici

Previously in Oblivion Song, Nathan was sprung from his jail cell by his girlfriend, Heather. Then he started building a plan to get his machine out of the hands of the military before they started using it as a weapon. So right away you know this issue was going to be a heist. While it was a heist, the plan you thought Nathan had in mind was different from what we see in this issue. Let’s dive in.

By using Oblivion, Nathan and his brother, Ed, break into the secure government facility to steal the device. The plot here is straightforward. Heather helps out once they get there, but this is where my only complaint about the issue lies. In Oblivion a Song #8 it seemed like Nathan was gathering a team to pull off this heist. Then, in this issue, there is no team. Heather was an unplanned assistant, and Ed is the only team member along for the ride. I would have much rather seen an actual heist pulled off with more than one moving part. Instead, we get a simple walk in and walk out with Oblivion being used to get past walls and security. The issue is still good, but it feels like we were promised something we didn’t get. The best part of this book was once again, the final panels that could change Oblivion Song completely. We will not know the effect until the next issue.

Kirkman is one of my favorites in the comic game, but this issue felt more like an easy way out. Using this technology, Nathan basically has a cheat code in the real world. He could rob anything he wanted to with no real challenge. A more interesting idea would have been if Nathan couldn’t use Oblivion to get his machine back and had to rely on a team to help him. Kirkman still gives us a decent comic, but it’s hard to ignore the untapped potential.

Lorenzo De Felici gets to draw one creature in this issue. The creature creations are his strongest talent, and recently Oblivion Song has not given him the chance to flex that muscle. I still haven’t come around in his character designs. Currently, I am relying on long hair and short hair to distinguish between Nathan and Ed.

Oblivion Song could be going to many different places after this issue. My complaint is minimal and will most likely be null and void by the next issue. The series is still unique and spearheaded by one of comic’s greats. I look forward to it every month along with Kirkman’s other new series, Die!Die!Die! It was just an issue with a missed opportunity. The story is still a fun read, and the next issue will show us a lot. Still a very highly recommended read.