The first issue of Declan Shalvey’s new Terminator series was a real breath of fresh air, especially since I was tired of Terminator stories. Terminator #2 continues this momentum and expands the Terminator into the past once again. This time, it appears during the waning days of the Vietnam War. Instead of preparing to depart with his platoon, American soldier Duggan moves deep into Vietnamese territory, unaware that he is being pursued by a killing machine.
Terminator #2 once again utilizes a unique setting for its story. In other words, humans fight to stop the Terminator in different eras. The possibilities are endless. What would happen if the Terminator was sent back to World War II or the Crusades? If it only had medieval weapons, how would it fit in, or how would its target defeat it? ?The Terminator in this story is soon attacked by Vietnamese soldiers and slowly starts killing them.
This brings us to the second part of this series’ appeal: the differences between humans and machines. Shalvey splits the story between the Terminator’s first appearance and Duggan’s race in Vietnam. Both are searching for something, and one of them leaves a fiery swath of destruction in his path. The destruction is brought to life by David O’Sullivan, and the artwork varies depending on who the story is about. When Duggan, the page is crowded with people, slowly thinning out to reveal a beautiful but bustling city. In the case of the Terminator, there’s nothing but fire and blood as far as the eye can see. The only constant is the reddish-orange glow of the sun, which colorist Colin Cracker makes sure to highlight for much of the issue.
Cracker also did the art for the second part of Buried Alive, but to be honest, I think the first part was a little better. This work only seems to reaffirm what we already know. Two Terminators are sent into the present day, one to try to kill the target and the other to protect it. If this backup continues, I hope it will start moving the story forward.
Terminator #2 not only establishes how this Terminator story will be different from other stories, but also introduces a new concept that could be the kick the franchise needs. James Cameron, if you’re reading this, here’s your roadmap to making a great Terminator movie.
Terminator #2 is a story set in the horrors of war
Terminator #2
Terminator #2 not only establishes how this Terminator story will be different from other stories, but also introduces a new concept that could be the kick the franchise needs. James Cameron, if you’re reading this, here’s your roadmap to making a great Terminator movie.
Declan Shalvey has a roadmap for reinvigorating the Terminator series.
A story depicting the similarities and differences between humans and machines.
David O’Sullivan portrays the horror of the Terminator and the busy streets of Vietnam in equal measure.
The backup story was mostly jogging in place.
