The Ocean WIll Take Us #5
The series began with an intriguing concept, offering a teen horror story that presented a visually brighter and more vibrant world. However, it has evolved and expanded beyond that initial premise while still maintaining its core essence. Rich Douek has skillfully packed a lot into this series and brings it to a satisfying conclusion with this final issue. One of the strengths of the series has been the attention given to allowing the characters and their situations room to develop and breathe, despite the overall fast-paced narrative. Carlos Olivares handles the artwork, with Manuel Puppo providing the color design, resulting in a visually appealing and fun aesthetic that embraces the vibrant Cali lifestyle. The use of rich blues and greens adds to the overall appeal, providing a welcome departure from the darker-toned books often seen in this genre from various publishers in recent years.
As expected in a final issue, there is a lot of action and less emphasis on character development. However, the resolution is clean and satisfying, while leaving room for potential future stories. The opening segment effectively showcases the gang coming together to confront the situation and expose the truth to the world. The dialogue regarding their mistrust of adults adds a layer of realism, as they have encountered many people wearing robes and masks in the past. They understand the need to rely on each other and devise a simple plan that leads them to confront Brian’s father. This sequence serves as a fitting final bonding experience for the kids as they navigate the facility, while also providing insight into Brian’s father as he deals with the impending events. However, the kids ultimately make their move.
The revelation that Brian’s father is not part of the cult and views them as mere pawns in a new world order is surprising. He claims to be unaffected by the dweller from below due to his age and superiority, yet his willingness to sacrifice his living son for the sake of the controlled dead one casts doubt on his character. The book effectively dives into the action within the facility, delivering chaos that propels the story forward. The destruction of the facility by this chaos ultimately saves the day, at least temporarily. While it is not the definitive end, it provides a sense of closure to the characters’ current story. An epilogue sets the stage for their potential return in future runs, teasing readers with what might lie ahead.
