UNDER THE INFLUENCE #4, from Mad Cave Studios on 10/25/23, turns up the heat when a mob threatens to tear down the police station in retaliation for Michael’s arrest.
The Details
- Written by: Eliot Rahal
- Art by: Stefano Simeone
- Colors by: Stefano Simeone
- Letters by: Frank Cvetkovic
- Cover art by: Stefano Simeone
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: October 25, 2023
Is UNDER THE INFLUENCE #4 Good?
Eliot Rahal’s latest entry in the social media cult thriller takes a subversive turn in UNDER THE INFLUENCE #4. The Hot Dog Party leader proves to be as crazy as a fox when a carefully delivered series of messages twist the narrative for a slightly confusing but ultimately intriguing plot.
When last we left Agent Cole, she tried to quell the growing outrage over the shooting death of one of the Hot Dog Party members, but Michael’s vigilante act stoked the flames even higher. Now, the Hot Dog Party gathers en masse to call for Michael’s release, threatening to tear the police apart together. In a master stroke of manipulation, Paul calls for an end to the hostilities while secretly shifting blame for the deaths back on the police.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE #4 will be a challenging read for some readers because the cleverness of Paul’s manipulation isn’t immediately obvious, and you won’t see the aftermath of his moves until the next issue. In effect, Paul calls for peace but does it in such a way (with Michael’s help) that the outcome will cause a social explosion while keeping his hands completely clean. That is if Rahal can stick the landing in the fifth and final issue.
What’s great about UNDER THE INFLUENCE #4? Paul’s manipulations are impressive in their timing and evil in their deviousness. If the events turn out as the story’s direction implies, Paul’s mastery of influence will tear the city apart.
What’s not so great about UNDER THE INFLUENCE #4? To get and appreciate Paul’s manipulations, you have to make some assumptions and connect several dots that are very far apart. We could be completely wrong about the interpretation of Paul’s actions, and if so, this issue will eventually be viewed as a miss.
How’s the art? Overall, Simeone’s art is solid. The exaggerated figure work may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Simeone’s panel work is exceptional, and the facial acting is top-notch.
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What’s UNDER THE INFLUENCE #4 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our UNDER THE INFLUENCE #3 review to find out what Michael did to get arrested.
We begin with members of the Hot Dog Party gathering outside the police station with increasing agitation. Shouts for Michael’s release grow, causing the limited police force inside to become concerned about the overwhelming number of possible rioters. Agent Cole desperately tries to get a hold of her superiors inside the station, but the phones are clogged.
Suddenly, Michael receives a mysterious text message on his smartwatch directing him to act. Outside, the Hot Dog Party receives a mass message from Paul with orders to stand down and take a new path. We conclude the issue with selective partitioning, a false flag, and the next round of the Blame Game.
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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UNDER THE INFLUENCE #4 takes readers on an edge-of-your-set journey when the Hot Dog Party threatens to turn into a deadly riot. Paul’s manipulations are deviously clever (maybe), and the character acting is excellent.
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