PRAIRIE GODS #5, by Mad Cave Studios on 2/19/25, brings the first volume to a close when an Air Force pilot crashes in the hills above Broadacres, leading to a fight for survival against Nature.
Credits:
- Writer: Shane Connery Volk
- Artist: Shane Connery Volk
- Colorist: Shane Connery Volk
- Letterer: Becca Carey
- Cover Artist: Shane Connery Volk
- Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
- Release Date: February 19, 2025
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of PRAIRIE GODS #5:
Plot Analysis:
The issue begins with a pilot waking up in the snowy woods near his crashed plane. A fierce snowstorm rages around him, and he doesn’t have enough clothing to endure the open air for long. Suddenly, he spots a vicious wolf stalking him through the smoke and falling snow. He shoots at the wolf with his revolver, but the beast keeps coming. The standoff ends when the pilot’s nearby plane explodes, sending man and wolf flying in opposite directions.
Shortly after, the pilot gathers what materials he can and heads into the woods to find shelter. He finds a small cave, builds a fire, and takes stock of what he can use. His smartphone has power but no signal, so he decides to record a message to his commander, Colonel Jacqueline Lambert, in case he doesn’t survive.
The pilot, Captain Eddie Norris, recounts his routine liftoff and patrol over Broadacres Air Force Base in warm, clear weather. Norris recalls seeing an explosion near the town’s silver mine below. The shockwave disrupted the plane’s instruments and created a system failure that crashed the plane.
After a brief rest, Norris decides his best bet is to make it to open ground and call for help. After a vigorous hike, the wolf returns, leading to a battle – tooth and claw against a knife. The issue ends with a gunshot, a depressing report, and the discovery of a box where none should be.
First Impressions:
We love this anthology series, so if this is the last in the volume, may Mad Cave coax Shane Connery Volk to come back for more. Prairie Gods #5 is a potent concoction of Twilight Zone vibes, thrills, and tension to give genre readers something special.
Artwork and Presentation:
Shane Connery Volk’s artistic style is so unique and recognizable that you can’t help but seek it out. Connery Volk furthers the story through the action with dramatic settings, gritty fights, and cinematic framing.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
Everything about this issue works if you have a fondness for weird tales with a twist ending. Connery Volk has a strong instinct for good pacing, a smooth narrative flow, and twists that hit hard – a must if you’re going to pay off the hook in a satisfying way.
The Negatives:
If Prairie Gods #5 is the end of the series, there are way, way, way too many open threads that didn’t get wrapped up. If Connery Volk returns to continue the weird happenings around Broadacres, all is forgiven. If not, the open threads are a satisfaction killer.
Final Thoughts:
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PRAIRIE GODS #5 concludes the first volume with a harrowing tale of survival when a pilot crashes in the woods and is stalked by a vicious beast. Shane Connery Volk’s instinct for engaging storytelling keeps getting better, and his unique artistic style suits the story beautifully.
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