This fantastic series has always been a four-parter and this week it comes to its conclusion. We see if the creative team can stick the landing; is it good?
Savage #4 (Valiant Entertainment)
So what’s it about? The summary reads:
When all hope seems lost, the final threads tethering the Sauvage family to their humanity will finally be severed. Just as the beasts within begin to take hold, the final revelation about the prehistoric island that has claimed them will finally stand revealed. But will this twist of fate offer a last chance at rescue…or forever seal their doom?
Why does this book matter?
B. Clay Moore has written a well paced and compelling story of a small boy attempting to stay alive in a jungle filled with dinosaurs and killers. We’ve witnessed how each of his parents died and now all that’s left is revenge. That combined with a gifted artistic duo, there’s much to love!
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
A touching moment.
Lewis Larosa’s art opens the issue and much like the last three, the painterly quality tells the story very well. Words aren’t needed; we witness the incredible confidence of the boy as he jumps off a cliff, onto a pterodactyl and finally a brontosaurus. The perspective is amazing in these two pages as the larger-than-life dinosaur is ridden without a second thought. Later, Larosa takes over for three pages with another iconic moment for the boy. The color is fantastic as the sun sets and he finally lets go of the memory of his parents. It’s pretty clear Larosa has a handle on cinematic and incredibly dramatic visual storytelling (which is probably why he gets to draw the final panel of the book).
Clayton Henry draws the remaining pages, which focus on the now. There’s a bit of cat-and-mouse action which is exciting and well laid out. I also dig how Henry’s drawn the boy a little older looking and in effect a bit wiser. Based on his plan in this issue, he clearly is.
This issue is mostly action, though the balance and pace are fantastic. Much like the first three issues, Moore has plotted this comic in an entertaining way where there is no filler. Every panel and page is important to the narrative as this issue serves as proof this boy has reached his peak efficiency.
It can’t be perfect can it?
Aside from the meaningful moments portrayed by Larosa, there isn’t much beyond action in this issue. The cliffhanger certainly pays off, but this is fight comics through and through.
The first kill is always the most important.
Is It Good?
Aside from this being mostly action, it’s a fine conclusion to a series you won’t want to end. There’s hope yet, though–Savage will return based on a teaser to end this book. When it does, I’ll be first in line to read it.
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