With just a few more issues to go, the “truth” is rolled out here as Mr. Terrific delivers the conclusions of his investigation in a letter to Alanna Strange. It’s an interesting issue that confirms much of my suspicions which makes me feels as smart as Mr. Terrific or the comic was telegraphed a bit too much. But, despite that Strange Adventures #10 still delivers surprises and shocks.

Written by Tom King, Strange Adventures #10 connects the dots and hints of the previous issues. It also sets up a finale that should be full of conflict and surprises. It also is an examination of a man haunted by war and those he destroys around him.

Mr. Terrific has come to the conclusion that Adam Strange has made a bargain with the devil and also has taken part in war crimes at the same time. His bloodlust and lies have pulled in his wife who has stood by his side unknowingly propping up his plan. It’s all interesting though a lot is a bit too obvious. The question is if Mr. Terrific’s final conclusion is right, and judging by reactions it’s most likely so.

Strange Adventures #10 delivers a nice emotional ride as everything is laid out and the heroic construct that is Adam Strange is brought down. It’s an interesting story about heroism and soldiers and the lies we tell. King has something to say here but exactly what that is will be determined by the series’ final two issues. It’s still up in the air exactly what the underlying themes are beyond “soldiers do horrible things in war”.

The art by Mitch Gerads and Evan Shaner continues to impress. The story jumps from the field of war in Strange’s past to Alanna reacting to the letter she receives. It’s full of emotion and shock as we witness more of Adam’s crimes and we see the weight of the truth weighing on Alanna. It’s an interesting back and forth that adds a lot to the emotional rollercoaster that is the issue. Clayton Cowles’ lettering especially stands out as so much of the issue’s narrative is in a handwritten letter that Mr. Terrific sends. Relatively short statements punctuate the conclusion he has come to.

Strange Adventures #10 is the issue where the magician reveals the trick in a way. Mr. Terrific not only lays out his conclusions but why he came to them. His words are one that’s full of regret and sadness over his own experiences as his own truth is revealed as well. It connects the dots that have been set up for the nine previous issues while setting up what should be a hell of a final two issues.

Story: Tom King Art: Mitch Gerads, Evan Shaner Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

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Most of the cards are on the table as the Justice League releases a statement and a part of their report on Adam Strange and his past actions. Strange Adventures #9 is what things have been leading up to in a rather blunt manner for some time now. It’s the “official” word as to what’s been pretty clear. Now, where do things go from here?

Writer Tom King as been building to this and in one issue delivers an interesting debate and the spin that comes out from it. It’s been pretty clear for some issues that Adam Strange and his allies committed horrible acts in their war against the Pykkt, a war that has come to Earth. The issue also gives us a pretty clear example of the horrors inflicted during the war including mass murder. But, how does it go over?

King also gives us an interesting reaction from the media and elsewhere as to the revelations about Adam Strange and his actions. It’s a washing over the horrors of war as if there is only one way to fight. It also echoes safety at all costs, a talking point we’ve heard many times in the 20 years we’ve been at war. We also see the frustration of those who worked on the attempting to find the truth. King doesn’t deliver an “all sides”, he instead shows us a reflection of our reality. This is something that has played out as crimes have been washed over in real life in our battles and elsewhere. As is said by one of the characters, “justice” isn’t enough in the public’s view.

Mitch Gerads and Evan Shaner continue to deliver solid art as they jump between the two time periods. You can feel the tension, drama, and horror oozing off of the pages. The frustration by Superman, Batman, and Mr. Terrific is clear. Adam Strange’s protesting his innocence delivers a punch, especially in what happens next. Clayton Cowles‘ lettering helps add the punch to the dialogue helping to emphasize each emotional beat.

Strange Adventures #9 is a reminder that even heroes can do horrible things and that reality is dirty. It shows us some of the horrible acts committed by Strange in his battle against the Pykkt. It also teases that there’s so much more to it all. Strange Adventures #9 shows that even just wars can be fought unjustly. There’s a debate left for the reader as to what lines can and should be crossed in battle. There’s still a lot to go in the series and where it takes us from here should be an emotional ride.

Story: Tom King Art: Mitch Gerads, Evan Shaner Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.35 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.3 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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We’ve been waiting for it for some time and Strange Adventures #8 begins to really start showing the cracks in Adam Strange’s world. The battle with the Pykkts continues on Earth. The heroes do what they can to stop the first wave before it overruns the planet and it gets impossible to stop the second wave. But, the attack reveals some of the truth that Adam Strange has been hiding and running from.

Tom King continues his interesting exploration of the horrors of war and how history is written by the winners. It’s a series that begs for a deeper exploration and examination. King, a former CIA operative, has spent time in warzones and his writing has you wondering what he experienced during this time. What experiences led to this particular writing?

The story is an interesting one as it bounces back and forth between the war on Earth and what Strange experienced on Rann. This is the issue before the big reveal as it becomes clearer that Strange has done some horrible stuff that’s being covered up.

But, there’s a underlying theme to the series as a whole, that there are no real heroes in war. Horrible things happen. Individuals make terrible decisions. People die. Crimes are committed. It’s some of what makes up war and to come out of it with a romanticized look at it all is a false narrative. We do these things to make use get past to the horrors of war. As they say, in war, there are no victors.

Despite the serious nature of the comic, King delivers some humor. Mr. Terrific and Batman attempting to interrogate a Pykkt soldier is fantastic. Batman’s attempt at the language and Mr. Terrific’s response are classic. That’s juxtaposed with how Adam Strange approaches a similar situation. That’s not so humorous.

The art by Mitch Gerads and Evan Shaner is fantastic as always. Along with lettering by Clayton Cowles, the comic visually is amazing. There’s an interesting mix of pages with only a few panels and pages packed in with nine of them. The comic changes things up as far as that but sticks mainly to traditional box layouts. It brings a stiff and proper feel to it all in some ways. But what’s really interesting is there’s a tense aspect to it all. There aren’t really horrible things within the comic but you can feel tension in every panel on every page. You’re waiting for that moment and by the time it ends, the comic delivers exactly that.

Strange Adventures #8 is the issue that launches us into the final third of the twelve issue series. It’s a sweeping story that examines wars and the mythology that spins out of them. Where the creative team takes this all should be interesting. How it will reflect on our modern times even more so.

Story: Tom King Art: Mitch Gerads, Evan Shaner Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW