Saigon, 1975-The war is winding down, and American forces are in retreat. One G.I. is enjoying his final leave in South Vietnam’s capital city when he is urgently recalled to the front. Back on the line, Private Duggan finds that his sector is being overrun by a mysterious enemy force one that doesn’t operate like any Viet Cong or NVA unit he’s ever faced. As rumors spread through the ranks about a ‘one-man Charlie platoon,’ Duggan suddenly come under murderous fire. Through the thick jungle air the trapped men spy their attacker a lone figure, seemingly impervious to bullets and grenades, completely devoid of fear or hesitation. Implacable. Inescapable. Inhuman. The Terminator #2 takes us back in time to the end of the Vietnam War for a comic whose concept is far better than the execution.

Written by Declan Shalvey The Terminator #2 is a decent idea but the details are where it falls apart. The story focuses on a US soldier named Dug who is scrambling to get something important as the order for evacuation from the country is given. But, in Dug’s search for whatever he needs, he comes across a Terminator who has come from the future and battling local forces.

And that battle begins the silliness. While bullets are pumped into the Terminator and that’s fine, the killing machine also goes up against a tank, throws items in an odd motion, and generally acts even stiffer than normal. The comic as a whole has a stiffness around it in its storytelling and execution, emphasized by the art from David O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan’s art is what drags the issue down. With color by Colin Craker and lettering by Jeff Eckleberry, the Terminator and its actions feels almost like a kid playing with an action figure lacking articulation. The positions and placement are odd and awkward. The design too feels silly at times. It’s just such an odd visual choice and step back from a debut issue that was so good.

Further hampering The Terminator #2 is a back-up story that’s just one page. Written by Sal Crivelli with art by Colin Craker and lettering by Eckleberry, the story is far too short. I don’t remember if it was a continuation of the back-up story from the first issue or something completely new. But, from what we do get to see, the art is really solid and looks good. It’s inclusion as a whole is a bit of a headscratcher. It feels like a second of a story.

The Terminator #2 as a whole is numerous steps back from a fantastic debut issue. The art is stiff, the storytelling choppy, then the inclusion of a back-up story that’s one page all add up to a very odd reading experience. As part of a trade or anthology it’d all be fine but as a single issue, it’s a tough one.

Story: Declan Shalvey, Sal Crivelli Art: David O’Sullivan, Colin Craker
Color: Colin Craker Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
Story: 7.0 Art: 6.0 Overall: 6.5 Recommendation: Pass

Dynamite Entertainment provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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