The Twilight Zone #3 Review
Publisher: Dynamite
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Artist: Guiu Vilanova
Colorist: Vinicius Andrade
Letterer: Rob Steen
Cover Artist: Francesco Francavilla
Review by: Josh Gillam
This Twilight Zone series has me completely hooked. As the plot unfolds, I find myself getting more and more invested in the story. It’s a modern day tale that still has that classic Twilight Zone feel to it.
This issue continues to follow Trevor Richmond, a Wall Street executive that underwent an aggressive identity change after embezzling a large sum of money from the company he worked for. Trevor was happy with his new life and face, until he found out that someone else had taken over his old life. Trevor is sent into a rage after seeing this stranger with his old face and his old girlfriend.
This issue starts off with a sulking and drunken Trevor monologuing his hatred for the imposter Trevor. The book then shifts to the imposter Trevor discussing his upcoming trial for embezzlement with his lawyer. The lawyer tells him that he can drag out the trial for at least three years before he would have to face any jail time. The imposter Trevor remarks that three years would be just enough time, setting up yet another mystery around the character.
Following this new reveal, we finally see the real Trevor and the imposter come face to face, as the real Trevor demands to know who the the man with his old face is. The mystery surrounding who the fake Trevor is brought to light, and we find out his motivation for taking over Trevor’s life. The book concludes with the imposter remarking that he’s better at living Trevor’s life than he was, and the real Trevor swearing to take his life back.
Straczynski continues to deliver a great story with this issue. He keeps you hooked by planting little bits of mystery throughout the book. By the time you get to the end of the book there is a huge mystery revealed, but at the same time you have many more questions. It’s not that annoying setup where a reveal is so full of holes that it makes you even more confused. It is well designed so that you have bits and pieces of a side story that keep getting hinted at, but never gone into detail.
While the main story is keeping you entertained, this side story is kicking around in the back of your mind while you try to make sense of it. There were many bits and pieces throughout the story that stood out to me as well. One thing I couldn’t help but notice was the the opening and closing line was, “I know who I am!” and both times it was spoken by the real Trevor. I imagine that this character that is looking at his former self living his former life is causing somewhat of an identity crisis. I felt like that line spoken by Trevor was an insight into his deteriorating sanity. I would suggest that everyone read this book through at least twice, because you’re bound to pick up on things that you didn’t see the first time around.
The artwork for this book was just as good as the previous issues. Much of the story takes place at night which creates a lot of dark and foreboding scenes, which I felt fit the story perfectly. I loved the artwork involving the imposter Trevor. In the scenes with his lawyer and with his girlfriend he looks rather normal but there are little moments where the shading on his face makes him look quite evil. This happens quite a bit during the confrontation between the two Trevors, and also happens when he mentions that three years is enough time during the meeting with his lawyer. It shows him going from this happy guy to this creepy and shady character which makes you wonder what kind of person he really is. There is plenty to enjoy about the artwork in this issue, including some great reveals and very creative panel structuring.
This book is completely deserving of the title Twilight Zone – which is about the biggest honor I can bestow upon it, being the hardcore Twilight Zone fan that I am. The creative team of Straczynski and Vilanova have woven a beautifully dark mystery that will continue to haunt your mind for days after you’ve put the book down. This comic is a must buy for anyone who loves a great story with multiple layers of intrigue.
Story: 5/5
Art: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Josh Gillam is the creator and writer for the webcomic/comedy project, Cynical Stew. You can follow him on Twitter at @Cynical_Stew