PROMETHEE 13:13 #3, from Ablaze Publishing on September 28th, 2022, brings astronauts into a first contact scenario fraught with danger. Meanwhile, Darla’s life is turned upside down as the time for invasion rapidly approaches.
The Details
- Written by: Andy Diggle
- Art by: Shawn Martinbrough
- Colors by: Dave Stewart
- Letters by: Simon Bowland
- Cover art by: Shawn Martinbrough
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: September 28, 2022
Is It Good?
PROMETHEE 13:13 #3 cranks up the action, violence, and surprises as the story rockets full speed ahead on two fronts. The secretive space shuttle mission is waylayed by an alien presence that yanks them to the other side of the Moon, forcing a first contact scenario. On Earth, Darla’s dream about a mysterious island proves to be a reality, and the survival group makes plans to avoid the inevitable. It’s all fun and games until heads start exploding.
The highlight of this issue is Diggle’s relentless pace as both story threads hurdle toward some unknown destination. The space shuttle crew decides to face the alien party head-on, bringing along cargo holds full of anxiety and interpersonal conflict when not every astronaut is on the same page. When Darla first resists and then accepts her dreams are mere delusions, she ventures on a frantic race for answers that may lead to survival against what’s coming. Through it all, you can feel the train of the story picking up speed and pulling you along for the ride.
The second bright spot of this issue is the dramatic yet organic dialog between the assortment of characters. When the space shuttle crew bicker among themselves about the next best steps, you can see multiple sides of the argument, even if you don’t agree. When Darla accepts her visions and chooses to move forward, her turn feels natural and relatable when she verbalizes the choices she makes. Everything about the character interactions feels authentic, and you can feel yourself responding in the same way in every scene.
Martinbrough’s art is sedate and grounded, which suits the circumstances of the issue to a tee. When the majority of the issue is focused on characters talking, questioning, or arguing, it helps to have an artist who knows how to project humanity through the characters’ expressions of emotion.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our PROMETHEE 13:13 #2 review to find out how Darla and the space shuttle crew wound up in their respective predicaments.
We pick up with the space shuttle crew as they debate how to handle their “capture” by the alien ship on the far side of the moon. The Commander opts to meet the aliens in a solo spacewalk, but not all crew members agree, chalking his decision up to recklessness or ego. When the Commander finds a startling discovery on the first part of his spacewalk, an alien presence makes itself known to immediately conscript the Commander for a special purpose.
Darla is questioned by Cade and Henry about her last vision, believing the island she saw is the key to finding a portal to avoid the invasion’s destruction. Henry’s knowledge of classified satellite imagery leads him to a map that forces Darla to concede her vision is real. Darla’s resistance turns to curiosity, and she joins Henry’s group as they head for the island.
We conclude the issue with painful probing, a deadly mission, and exploding heads.
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Final Thoughts
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PROMETHEE 13:13 #3 is a solid issue in this series that firmly switches from conspiracy paranoia into a full-blown race for survival. The star of this issue is the authentic character interactions that cover the range of emotions from resentment and fear to excitement and hope.
Related Information
What is the movie Aliens about?
Aliens (1986) is about a group of space marines sent to a planetary colony to investigate why the colony lost contact with civilizations. The marines find the colony overrun with aliens, called Xenomorphs, unleashed from an alien spacecraft on the same planet years ago. The marines are quickly overwhelmed and are forced to survive as they work to escape the planet.
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