As Napalm Lullaby barrels into its mind‑bending #10 next week, the series stands as one of the most audacious sci‑fi sagas in years. Issue #9 plunged readers deeper into confusion and awe. Rick Remender’s surreal, reality‑warping narrative continues to unravel who and what is actually real, while Bengal’s visuals reach new heights of imaginative invention. It’s a head‑trip that bleeds thematic weight and emotional resonance. As ambiguous as it is unsettling, yes, but utterly compelling.
Expect issue #10 to build on these dense ideas, escalating the clash between siblings Sam and Sarah, exposing more of the fractured worlds they traverse, and underscoring the inscrutable power they wield. If you’ve been following along, hold on tight as it’s going to get even stranger in this finale. That’s right, it all ends with #10!
Napalm Lullaby #10 is the kind of comic you’ll have an instant reaction to once it’s over. Then you’ll give it a think. Then think some more. It’s an ending that initially shocked me, then angered me, but eventually impressed me with its bravery. There are confrontations, twists, and a final panel that’ll have you thinking about this story, and a hot topic in our own world. It’s entirely surprising and thought-provoking. It’s this extra relationship after you close the book that had me appreciating and loving what it did, even if I have reservations about its final reveal.
Time to superhero in.
Credit: Image
The issue opens with Sam and Sarah back in their superhero costumes, fighting crime. They’re enacting vigilante justice on a gang of tentacled robbers. It’s straight out of pulp superhero comics, which is striking since this book was never about that. The culmination of their crime-fighting ends when Sam rejects this as another creation by Sarah, who is frustrated that he won’t just accept this reality.
This leads to the two sparring with words, and eventually with fists. It takes a good fifteen pages before a choice is made that isn’t blocking fight moves or dodging them. I say this because the back and forth feels unnecessary and overly long. That’s particularly the case when the first twist drops.
Before that twist, Bengal keeps things interesting with the fight scenes and fight moves. The reality-altering powers are on full display and continue to be a highlight of the series. Meanwhile, the deep rage of Sam and the perplexed nature of Sarah continue to be hammered home via strong facial expressions.
It’s not until the final few pages that Remender and Bengal flip the script, so to speak, and make you really ponder what it was all about. As someone compelled by the fascist symbology and anti-religious elements, I’m still pondering if I like this ending or not. But again, it had me pondering its meaning, and also pondering how rare it is for comics to take swings like this. The latter sentiment is a big reason why Remender continues to offer cutting-edge storytelling that pushes the medium like many can’t.
Napalm Lullaby #10 delivers a finale that is as divisive as it is daring, cementing the series as one of the most ambitious sci-fi experiments in recent memory. While the pacing may falter during its central conflict, the issue ultimately sticks the landing with a final act that is haunting, gutsy, and thematically rich. It’s the ending that challenges you, frustrates you, then earns your respect, and maybe even admiration, once the dust settles.
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