W0rldtr33 #4
Review
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Fernando Blanco
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: July 25, 2023
Page Count: 32
Format: Comic
Tynion, Blanco, and Bellaire deliver a game-changing issue brimming with strong character moments and unsettling horror. Fans of the series will not want to miss out on its shocking cliffhanger ending.
W0rldtr33 #4
ReviewWriter: James Tynion IV
Artist: Fernando Blanco
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: July 25, 2023
Page Count: 32
Format: Comic
Tynion, Blanco, and Bellaire deliver a game-changing issue brimming with strong character moments and unsettling horror. Fans of the series will not want to miss out on its shocking cliffhanger ending.
Fresh off winning the Eisner Award for Best Writer, James Tynion IV continues his massive year by taking readers on another trip through his hit techno-horror series W0rldtr33. While “Something is Killing the Children” is easily his most popular title ongoing, W0rldtr33 is among this year’s best new horror comics. Along with its developing ARG, the series has been a rollercoaster of strange and twisted turns that always leaves me clamoring to find out what happens next. This issue is no exception, as it drops possibly its biggest revelation to date that completely changes the trajectory of the series.
Image: Image ComicsStory Overview
The comic opens with a flashback to when Gabriel first discovered the Undernet and the horrors waiting inside it. The scene gives a glimpse into what the crew was like back then with Gabriel at the center of it all. Flash forward thirty years later and while many things changed, the group dynamics are all the same. Except everyone is more open about their frustrations towards Gabriel and his radical ideas.
With Fausta’s life hanging in the balance from her exposure to the Undernet, the crew put her through sensory overload treatment to flush out the horrific information that flooded her mind. Meanwhile, agents Silk and Nicky arrive at the hacker’s base of operations. Little do they know, someone is lurking right behind them with twisted plans of their own for the people waiting inside.
Image: Image comicsReview
Apart from the incredible debut issue, this latest release was the best of the series so far. It hit the perfect balance of having strong character-driven moments and unnerving scenes of horror. As dialogue-heavy as this issue is, reading it goes by in a snap because the conversations between characters are charismatic and dynamic. It’s through these intimate conversations and quick, one-line interactions that we get a clearer connection to the personalities of each of these characters. Then just when you least expect it, the comic drops some of the most horrifying visuals you’ll ever see on a page. The concept of the Undernet continues to be endlessly fascinating and terrifying.
While much of the spotlight is pointed deservedly at Tynion for his great writing and accolades, the incredible art team of Fernando Blanco and Jordie Bellaire can’t go unnoticed. As hinted earlier, this issue gives us another glimpse of what’s lurking in the Undernet. Blanco showcases his ability to create mind-bending art that’s both captivating and unsettling. Bellaire’s color work then elevates the emotion of every scene in the issue. Whether it’s the crew having a conversation inside a dimly lit room or Fausta coming face-to-face with the unimaginable horrors of the Undernet, the coloring brings plenty of life and depth to these scenes.
Image: Image ComicsFinal Thoughts
Everything in this issue felt like a huge step up for what makes the series so great. The strong character work goes hand-in-hand with the issue’s frightening moments. Then it gets topped off with a massive twist that leaves me wanting to have the next issue right this instant. Even though the series has not yet even finished its first act, it’s quickly shaping up to be another modern horror classic by one of the genre’s most prominent creators.
Why You Should Read W0rldtr33
- The story drops a massive revelation that changes everything we know so far
- The large cast of characters is developing nicely for such a short series
- Fernando Blanco’s full artistic range is put on display in this issue
- Jordie Bellaire’s color work makes each scene feel unique and dynamic