The Terminator: Metal #1 is a solid issue you can enjoy on its own

In the post-apocalyptic future that follows Judgment Day, the shattered remnants of humanity must make use of every tool they can in their existential battle against the machines — and that includes the deadliest weapons that Skynet sends to annihilate them. For one member of the Resistance, this means trusting his life to a reprogrammed Terminator. Trapped behind enemy lines, the soldier and his repurposed engine of destruction must find a way to both survive and complete their mission — an undertaking with such a low probability of success that it could reboot the Terminator back to its default settings! The Terminator: Metal #1 kicks off a new series and it’s a hell of a debut.

There’s a thing with 40 year old franchises, a point is crossed where the history, the continuity, all of the details, get overwhelming and smother it. It gets convoluted and daunting to dive into or overwhelming to tackle. Reboots, restarts, requels, are all attempts to tackle the problem, creating easy entry points. That’s why The Terminator: Metal #1 is rather impressive. Written by Declan Shalvey and Rory McConville, the issue drops you right into the war against the machines. There’s little explanation as to the history or what’s going on, just a mission. It just so happens that mission involves a reprogrammed Terminator and some of the human resistance.

Shalbey and McConville deliver an issue oozing the Terminator but new readers can dive in and enjoy it. That success comes from the fact the issue doesn’t focus on small details and continuity. Instead, it’s all about the mission. You don’t need to know about the war or who these characters are. The basics of these characters and what they’re trying to do is given to the readers and nothing else. And the issue is fantastic because of that. The mission and the comic is straightforward and focused.

The art by Lorenzo Re is solid. With color by Colin Craker and lettering by Jeff Eckleberry, the comic has a “gritty” and “dirty” feel to it that fits the setting. It’s a war comic set in the future and the characters and the setting all feel worn and broken down. There’s small details like those added to the Terminator nicknamed “Tex,” such as a splash of red and a poncho. The resistance too have small details that add to the overall story and help new readers to get a better idea of the world.

The Terminator: Metal #1 is a great start to the new series. It keeps things focused and easy for readers to dive into and just enjoy without worrying and being distracted by the greater story. It’s a great debut that has us looking forward to what comes next and gets us excited to see what’s to come for the franchise.

Story: Declan Shalvey, Rory McConville Art: Lorenzo Re
Color: Colin Craker Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Dynamite provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Source: Graphic Policy