SHOW’S END: THE SECOND COMING #5, from Mad Cave Studios on November 9th, 2022, ends the arc with a monster free-for-all and the fate of the world in the balance.
The Details
- Written by: Anthony Cleveland
- Art by: Jef Sadzinski
- Colors by: Fabi Marques
- Letters by: Justin Birch
- Cover art by: Jef Sadzinski
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: November 9, 2022
Is It Good?
SHOW’S END: THE SECOND COMING #5 swings for the fences in a finale filled with unique monster battles, twists, turns, and a complete, albeit unresolved, ending.
Cleveland’s story brings Loralye’s life-changing challenge to a close with several surprises that keep you guessing right up to the end of the climactic battle. To Cleveland’s credit, this issue doesn’t end with a happily after ending as several characters undergo a status quo change. That’s the best possible scenario to give an arc the weight of importance, leaving you feeling like the journey meant something.
The minor down point of the ending is the lack of clarity about its resolution. When last we left Loraly and company, we learned Loralye was destined to participate in a climactic battle between two god-like entities for the fate of the world. Loralye’s role is made clear, but by the end, the presence and participation of the god-like entities are anything but clear. For example, the Great Heckler has an opportunity to sow destruction but chooses not to without rhyme, reason, or explanation. The story implies a connection between the Great Heckler and a mysterious woman who emerges from hiding, but the connection isn’t obvious.
Sadzinksi’s art style is great in this issue. The monster designs are sufficiently intimidating, the destruction feels large in scope, and the battle scenes are well-choreographed.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our SHOW’S END: THE SECOND COMING #4 review to find out how Loralye let loose into beast mode.
We begin with Loraly fully unleashed into her monster form after destroying most of the fishing village in an explosion. Her grandfather goads her into killing more people as the deaths caused by Loralye feed life energy into Aeserott, the only being powerful enough to defeat the Great Heckler. Pavel and his friends race down the mountain to stop Loralye before she kills anyone else.
Grandfather pushes Loralye to strike down a group of bound hostages, including Vaddy. Pavel arrives a moment too late and finds Vaddy badly injured. Recognizing what she’s done, Loralye returns to her human form to help Vaddy. Suddenly, Pavel’s father arrives, looking bigger and meaner to kill Loraly if she won’t comply.
As Loralye, back in monster form, and Pavel’s father fight, a woman emerges from the shadow with a gun to stop Grandfather before he can do any more harm. We conclude the issue with death, a family reunion, and a long trip away from prying eyes.
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Final Thoughts
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SHOW’S END: THE SECOND COMING #5 ends the arc with a climactic battle that feels epic in scope and consequences. The art is solid, and almost all characters receive a new status quo, but the way the battle ends is not quite clear.
Related Information
What is a circus person called?
A person who works to setup, tear down, and run a circus is called a Circus Hand. A performer who stars in one or more circus acts is called an Artist.
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