Comic Review: Stronghold #5

Stronghold #5

Aftershock Comics

Writer: Phil Hester

Artist: Ryan Kelly

In this final issue of Stronghold, the truth comes out. Michael finally learns the specifics of his god-like powers. More importantly, he learns who trapped him on Earth and who founded Stronghold to keep him there. This book had more places it could have gone, though I’d hesitate to call this issue rushed. In this age of decompressed, never-ending stories I can’t complain about a book that has the decency to tell its story as simply and efficiently as possible.

Stronghold #5‘s insistence on introducing adversaries so late in the story highlights the book’s short length. Even before it’s outright stated, it’s been established that nothing can beat Michael in a normal fight. So the enemies introduced feel a little contrived. Stronghold could have emphasized the futility of fighting Michael. Instead. The book insists on some traditional, comic book clashes that are played a little too mundane for its unique premise.

Fortunately, the biggest issues Michael now faces are more intangible. For all his power, some things are just out of his control. Namely, the decisions his all too human friends and enemies choose to make. As with the rest of the series, the best moments come from the cast’s desperate, extreme reactions to Michael. Here we get to see them after he remembers what he really is.

The motivations behind the genocidal rampage across the galaxy that put Michael on Earth also emerge. It’s an interesting twist that feels like a natural addition to the story. It also fulfills the book’s overarching theme of the cure being worse than the disease. Unfortunately, the story doesn’t dwell on the implications nearly as much as it should. While I respect the decision to have a five-issue series, even one more issue could have given the book enough space to properly examine everything it covers.

The art takes a bit of a downturn in this grand finale. As with the previous issues, Ryan Kelly offers some entertainingly original and grotesque designs. That’s undermined by how much of the conflict in this issue is presented in a very muddled and confusing way. For example, almost all of the story takes place in a massive alien temple. But the art rarely conveys the scale, partially because it often eschews backgrounds. It’s easy to think that they’re fighting in a featureless warehouse. Aside from some awkward faces and poses, the art is still more than qualified for telling Stronghold‘s story. And with everything finished, it’s safe to say it was a story worth telling. Even if it could have gone just on for just a bit longer.