Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Scott Collins
Colourist: Bill Crabtree
Release date: OUT NOW!!!!
Price: $3.99

 

In Past Always #5, Matt Kindt keeps the plot simple and focused. Stranded deep-time explorers Art, enhanced human Phil, scientists Herb and Ursula, super strong rough-neck Margaret and pilot Hein fight a giant tortoise while a mysterious costumed man infiltrates the groups headquarters.

The twist of this time opera is none of this rogue group of lost travellers can die during their slip into our present (their distant past). However, the time portal is leaking weird creatures for the group to battle.

Behind the main plot line the group’s efforts to get home, the serial has several ongoing stories: Art wants Phil to sacrifice his life in order to send them home, by yanking out Phil’s enhancements. But Phil has an ace up his sleeve—he’s hiding time-sick pilot Hein, whom he wants to help him kill Art. And local woman Connie is falling in love with Art.

Writer Kindt’s dialogue manages to move the plot forward while still retaining individual personalities. Kindt is unafraid of whimsy. The first page features sentient metal stairs that talk when you climb them. And later, Marge says, “Pass the pseudosauce, please,” referring to a form of perfect future food.

Artist Scott Collins deserves no small praise. Collins’ figures have gentle gracefulness. The full-page fight with the Gamera wanna-be gets full marks for design and draftsmanship. And the strange intruder’s purple costume style screams Jack Kirby in the loudest of tribute voices.

Past Always is a pleasure to the read. The closest thing Past Always feels like is Warren Ellis’ Planetary, with Marge standing in for Jakita Wagner.

And both fight kaiju.

 

Reviewer: Joe Lovece
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker