The Terminator franchise never shied away from the concept that war is hell. In fact, it takes that adage to its ultimate extreme during the battle between the human Resistance and Skynet that makes up the bleak future John Connor grew up in. The Terminator: Metal #2 is all about the toll that war takes on its participants, as it follows a group of Resistance soldiers trapped in one of Skynet’s work camps. One of these soldiers, Billy, is willing to do anything to get back to his wife Hannah, and the other prisoners come up with a plan to escape.
The sudden shift in story isn’t too surprising; in Dynamite’s first Terminator series, Declan Shalvey took the unique approach of dedicating one or two issues to a singular story. It was a great way to showcase that Skynet’s temporal war didn’t just target the Connor family, and it let Shalvey touch on a wide range of genres. While I’m happy that Shalvey and Rory McConville are continuing this trend with Metal, I do wish we got to follow more of Percy and Tex from the first issue, especially with the way the issue ended.
Despite the abrupt change in story, Shalvey and McConville continue to flesh out the dark future of the Terminator universe, while also showcasing how humanity continues to thrive, even when an oppressive artificial intelligence seeks to wipe them out. From Billy and his fellow soldiers planning to get out of the work camp, to forming bonds with other prisoners, there are moments in this comic that hit with the emotional force of a train.
These moments are brought to life by Eoin Marron, who has a knack for drawing post-apocalyptic imagery. One panel features a bolt of bluish-white lightning carving through a reddish-purple sky, illuminating the work camp where the Resistance soldiers are being held. Another series of panels features a Terminator creeping up behind someone, its trademark red eyes and death’s head grin shimmering in the shadows. Colin Craker utilizes a mix of red, purple and black throughout, only shifting to lighter tones when the human characters are front and center. Even then, shadows play around their faces, or what little light there is reveals weary faces and the scars of battle.
The end of this issue, however, is where things get interesting. I can’t say much more due to spoilers, but I will say that things end on a surprising note…and it shows just how far Skynet is willing to go to wipe out the human race. It also feels like a more complete story than the first issue, so if the single story approach is to be the new norm then hopefully future issues will follow in its stead.
The Terminator: Metal #2 returns to the storytelling style of Dynamite’s first Terminator series, while also delivering a tale with an unexpected twist. If war truly is hell, then Shalvey and McConville seem intent on exploring all the different torments it can bring.
