by Paul Tobin and Juan Ferreyra
Colder #5, also known as the final issue of the series, also known as the showdown between Declan and Nimble Jack. Final issues of anything have a long history of being underwhelming; after readers invest themselves in a story, even a story only five issues long, the final issue comes with a lot of expectations. Those expectations may not be exactly what the writer had in mind, sometimes leaving readers feeling wronged. Internet outrage ensues, and those readers forget it all when the next outrage hits. But the story can go another way where readers are completely satisfied with the outcome in every way. There doesn’t seem to be an in-between, so where does that leave the final issue of Colder?
The best way to describe the resolution in this issue is: non-resolution. Paul Tobin doesn’t close the book on Declan and Reece in this issue by any means, but gave this particualr mini-series one hell of an ending with an opportunity for a sequel. After the end of Colder #4 there wasn’t really much room to start this issue in any other way than picking up right where the penultimate chapter left off. As it would seem, Nimble Jack has won, but in typical psychotic, creeper villain style, he proceeds with a detailed monologue instead of just doing the deed. Jack’s ramblings give us a bit more insight into exactly what Declan is, but there is a definite lack of full disclosure of Jack or Declan’s true identities. Then, just as Nimble Jack’s speech starts to get annoying, Declan steps up and things take a weird turn.
There are many things about this story that make it a great script. There is a touch of non-conclusive resolution, a dash of unabridged violence, rampant anticipation, and most importantly a love story. All of the right ingredients are there, despite a few minor pacing issues. It seemed at times like this issue was trying to accomplish too much in too little space, and probably could have benefited from a higher page count. Nothing that was in this issue deserves to be cut out, but a lot of it deserved to be expanded upon. This is such a great mixed genre comic that even with the pacing issues it is a fantastic script. Paul Tobin touched on every subject that needed to be, but also left a whole bunch of threads loose that he could easily pick up another series with. As far as final issues go, this was probably the most exciting and weird issue yet.
Not only was the script written really well for a final issue, but Juan Ferreyra reiterates why he was made the artist on this series. He seems to have a really dark and twisted imagination, illustrating the brutality of the story with exceptional accuracy. There were moments during the final fight scene where you could feel the movements, and the gruesomeness splatters off of the page. Ferreyra also utilizes a great imagination when laying out panels, with some very interesting layouts executed. His art work draws the eyes in different ways, and shows new ways of telling a graphic story. This issue is some of Ferreyra’s best work, and leaves the series on a very high note.
Colder #5 isn’t a satisfactory ending, but that appears to be Paul Tobin’s intent. This issue is satisfactory because it is left open for further exploration. The only thing that could make it truly unsatisfactory is if Paul Tobin and Juan Ferreyra never return to this story. Expect to be blown away by this issue, and expect great things to come.
Writing: 8/10
Art: 9/10
Overall: 9/10
Tommy Lutz
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