Port of Earth #4

by Michael D on February 14, 2018

Writer: Zack Kaplan
Artist: Andrea Mutti
Colorist: Vladimir Popov
Publisher: Image Comics
 
            Port of Earth finishes its first arc with a bang, literally. The creative team of Kaplan and Mutti has done a fine job of crafting an interesting world with a ton of potential. That is evident with the end of this issue teasing an interesting direction. Unfortunately, the world is the only interesting aspect with more work needed on making the characters more compelling.

            The issue starts with the familiar television broadcast that we’ve come to expect. Again, this is the most interesting aspect with a discussion on the politics on the port and the consequences the world has faced since its creation. We are then brought back to our main leads, stalking the alien through an industrial factory. The tension from the last issue is gone and instead the characters spend most of their time trying to figure out what to do and following numerous protocols. The entire story takes place here with it culminating in an explosion and a character death. The death was fairly predictable and it seems to be swept to the side rather quickly with a tease on the continuing mission ending the story.

            I understand the appeal in having some average Joe type characters as the leads but I just wish they were more interesting. When the aliens versus human’s action pieces are the least interesting aspect of this world, it seems like a missed opportunity to have grunts as the main characters. I hope to see the cast grow a bit in the next arc to include characters that are more involved with the political side of the world.

           Mutti again provides some great art that really helps to sell the tone of the book. Unfortunately, he wasn’t given much to work with as most of the issue was relegated to a boring, industrial factory. This was probably my least favorite issue so far but the story potential is still very promising. It’s worth staying to hopefully see the creative team find their legs and continue to build an interesting world.
 

Our Score:

7/10

A Look Inside