BOUNTIFUL GARDEN #5, from Mad Cave Studios on January 19th, 2022, concludes the first arc by revealing the mysterious garden’s origins and what it has in store for the surviving crew members of the Jemison.
The Details
- Written By: Ivy Noelle Weir
- Art By: Kelly Williams
- Colors By: Giorgio Spalletta
- Letters By: Justin Birch
- Cover Art By: Kelly Williams, Giorgio Spalletta
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: January 19, 2022
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Was It Good?
Whenever a title wraps up its arc, we take a minute to reflect on the final issue and the series as a whole. Partly, the review will be a critique of how well the arc was concluded and partly a review of the broader story, anticipating it will be released as a trade.
First things first. How well does this finale wrap up the arc? In short, it doesn’t completely wrap up. The ending leaves so many points open that it reads like the closing of the first act or the first chapter. Rather than resolving one conflict in such a way as to open the door to the next, the story just stops with the only defining change being the Jemison leaving orbit.
Whether or not it qualifies as a complete arc may be a matter of personal preference, but it’s fair to say the ending is nebulous due to one specific point. Two characters are at odds with each other on the last page, leaving the story on a cliffhanger in mid-execution. Imagine a field with two bulls charging at each other full speed and seconds before they collide, an announcer says “that’s all for now”. It’s an odd place to end an arc because there’s no clear sense of transition.
How well does the arc complete as a whole? It’s fine in an odd sort of way. If you’ve read our reviews of the previous issues, you know we’ve made some bones about the art choices and style conflicting with the tone and themes of the story. At its core, creating an Alien-styled space horror with a cast of children sounds like a novel idea but makes little sense in the way it’s executed here. As the drama and tensions escalate, the storybook art style and children designs put a damper on the hard-hitting moments. Imagine a middle school play where two sixth-graders act out a dramatic scene as two adults go through a divorce. Despite the “explanation” behind why the crew is all children, it never fully clicks.
Where does that leave this series? There’s no official word on whether or not it will continue. The creators told the story they wanted to tell. It’s unique, it accomplished some scary moments, but the juxtaposition of children in what should be adult roles limits the story’s potential. We’ll chalk this one up to an odd novelty and keep an eye out for the future.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
If you don’t remember who’s still alive, first check out our BOUNTIFUL GARDEN #4 review.
We begin with Anya aboard the Jemison, distraught over the death of her shipmates. Communications are on the fritz, and the weird vines in the lab are growing.
On the planet below, Marnie and Jonas continue hiking back to the shuttle but decide to stop and rest overnight in nearby ruins. Marnie seems off, and the two argue about whether or not Kurt is still alive. When they part to get some sleep, Jonas notices old cave paintings that depict a meteor crash, presumably showing how the plant life arrived on the planet.
Suddenly, Marnie surprises Jonas and starts screaming about being the Gardener that will help the garden grow. Marnie appears possessed by her dreams. In a fit of rage, Marnie kills Jonas and heads to the shuttle. Before she arrives, Kurt, looking emaciated and sprouting vines from all over his body, begs Marnie to take him with her to tend the garden together. Kurt’s pleas fall on deaf ears.
We conclude the issue with Marnie making an enthusiastic presentation to Anya.
Final Thoughts
BOUNTIFUL GARDEN #5 concludes the arc with death, madness, and the promise of growing trouble for the universe. The crew’s adventures on the planet are done, but the arc lacks a full conclusion that feels like it’s transitioning into a new phase of the story. As a whole, this title is a novel experiment that never managed to grow past its shortcomings.
Score: 6/10
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