Sai: Dimensional Rivals comes to a close this week with issue #5, and a bunch of the anthology’s artists are back to cap off the series. Phil Noto, Miguel Mercado, Elena Casagrande, Gurihiru, and Natacha Bustos join Peach Momoko for another artist showcase. Plus, does Sai actually acquire the mysterious seventh Infinity Stone?!
Counter to previous issues, Sai: Dimensional Rivals is more like a collage than a showcase of artistic vignettes. The first 13 pages are drawn by nine artists, many of whom are responsible for double-page layouts. Each one begins and ends loosely to connect the narrative, which focuses on Sai seemingly finding the stone and trying to keep it. That includes chasing an unsuspecting Jeff and floating through space. Mostly a series of great visual pages over story, it’s a neat way to give many of the series’ artists a chance to recap the adventure we’ve been on so far.
And then the comic literally turns into a collage of previous panels, a gorgeous kaleidoscope of shards. It’s a nice way to commemorate all the work that came before in the series.
The visuals can get a little weird and vague.
Credit: Marvel
From there, we check in on Galactako, who set Sai on this mission in the first place. It’s a cute way to remind us that Sai did find a lot of things, but were they the seventh Infinity Stone? That answer is somewhat conveyed, making this adventure seem purposeful enough, while hinting there’s more to the story than we might think.
Peach Momoko caps off the issue with the last nine pages, adding a bit of whimsy for Sai as she embarks on a mission to fill her belly. Add in a ridiculous vehicle design for Galactako, and it’s a really cute cap to a story well worth adding to your trade paperback collection.
All in all, this issue serves as a kind of ending to honor the artists and let them have one last say, but it doesn’t necessarily progress the story. Instead, it’s a conclusion that looks great and feels just right, even if the overarching story was never really that important.
Sai: Dimensional Rivals #5 closes out the series with a visually inventive and celebratory finale that puts its artists front and center. The issue leans heavily into style and experimentation, offering a unique collage-like experience that reflects the journey rather than pushing it forward. While the story takes a back seat, the creativity on display makes for a memorable and fitting send-off.
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