PROJECT RIESE #5, by Mad Cave Studios on 12/6/23, finds Sam, Nobo, and their friends coming face to face with the alien Gott in Klaus’s plan to reinvigorate the Third Reich.
The Details
- Written by: Zac Thompson
- Art by: Jeff McComsey
- Colors by: Paul Little
- Letters by: Justin Birch
- Cover art by: Jeff McComsey
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: December 6, 2023
Is PROJECT RIESE #5 Good?
Zac Thompson’s fever dream of Nazi super science, alien gods, and hidden treasure cranks up the weird and wacky in PROJECT RIESE #5. Thompson’s penultimate issue bristles with energy and brisk pacing, but the outlandish plot developments will leave you scratching your head.
When last we left Sam and his treasure-hunting allies, they found themselves partnered with the cybernetic alien offspring of the alien Gott, who lived under the Owl Mountains for millennia. The eclectic partners engaged in a shootout with Baron Klaus and his Nazi soldiers, but ultimately lost and were captured.
Now, the Baron escorts the prisoners through long-stored treasure and secret halls where Gott slumbers. Intent on using Gott’s power as a new weapon to revive the Third Reich, the Baron plans on making Sam and his friends Gott’s sacrificial meal. Or something like that.
“What!? What do you mean ‘Or something like that?” you’d rightfully ask. PROJECT RIESE #5, much like issue #4, is a hodgepodge of wacky plot developments that come out of nowhere, are not explained, and don’t make any sense. We noted in the review for the last issue that you don’t need to be on recreational drugs to read the comic, but it helps. This time, same.
What’s great about PROJECT RIESE #5? If nothing else, Zac Thompson is stretching the limits of his imagination in this issue. Alien (or is it?) gods with existential powers who live under a mountain give chase to treasure seekers walking on beams to get to an inorganic lift platform. Uhh, sure, it’s different.
What’s not so great about PROJECT RIESE #5? If you were hoping for a penultimate issue that would make sense out of the senseless, you’ll need to keep waiting. Previously, we likened this issue to one of those weird cheesy made-for-TV movies on the Syfy channel, but that description is no longer valid. This issue is more nonsensically bizarre than even the Syfy channel executives would approve.
How’s the art? The art, sadly, took a step back in this issue. Jeff McComsey either ran out of time or struggled with wide shots where more precise inks are needed because a few of the wide-shot panels (where you see characters from a distance) look downright terrible. Paul Little’s colors do wonders to save the visuals, but the inks are sub-par.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s PROJECT RIESE #5 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our PROJECT RIESE #4 review to learn how the Nazis originally encountered an alien god under the Owl Mountains.
We begin with the Baron leading Bradley, his men, and their prisoners through a treasure chamber with priceless gold and historical artifacts. The Baron leads the group to an inner chamber where Gott slumbers on top of a pile of gold. He intends to feed the prisoners to Gott after waking it and then harness the alien god’s power as an ultimate weapon.
While the Baron and his men make preparations, Renn leaps at Bradley and strangles him. Nobo uses Bradley’s alien pulse rifle to break everyone’s chains. Then a skirmish breaks out between Nazis and the treasure hunters with their semi-alien (maybe?) allies.
We conclude the issue with exploding heads, eaten bodies, and elevators.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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PROJECT RIESE #5 presents a penultimate issue filled with wonky plot developments and mediocre art. Kudos to Thompson for stretching the bounds of imagination, but this issue is a struggle to get through.
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