Days Missing: Kestus Issue 4
Written by Phil Hester, Art by David Marquez, Colors by Rachelle Rosenberg, Letters by Troy Peteri, Cover by David Mack. Published by Archaia / Black Label and Roddenberry Productions.
Phil Hester and David Marquez turn in another tour de force issue of Days Missing. The story follows the Steward, a man of great power with the ability to jump throughout time. Since the dawn of mankind, the Steward has secretly guided the human race with the help of Kestus who is able to track the Steward to wherever he will time jump. The Steward’s goal is to help the humans as he has been present at every major event in mankind’s history. Hester’s heady almost meta concepts push this story along and flesh out the relationship between the mysterious Steward and the possibly immortal Kestus.
At the beginning of Issue 4, we find the Steward in Times Square for the turn of the millennium. A blackout occurs at the stroke of midnight causing a Y2K panic with the masses claiming the end is near. The Steward, aware that these events were to never have taken place, springs into action. The blackout was caused by an EMP and during the Steward’s investigation, he is knocked unconscious only to dream of the first Atomic bomb test which he and Kestus were involved in. When he comes to, he time jumps to the past and like always is met by Kestus. The two disarm the blackout device before it can detonate thus preventing the events of December 31st, 1999/January 1st, 2000. The Steward continues investigating the event with the help of Kestus and her organization. The man responsible is that of angry scientist Doctor Lockwood who believes the world is better off with humanity wiped from existence. Doctor Lockwood like any good evil scientist has a trap for the heroes by rendering Kestus and the Steward unconscious (this seems to be a trend with the good doctor). While passed out, the Steward dreams of a colonial time period where he is with Kestus again until a group of indigenous people kidnap Kestus. The Steward is awoken by a flash of bright light. With just enough power, he time jumps sending Doctor Lockwood to oblivion and then into a loving embrace with Kestus.
The art is very filmlike to the point where the reader can almost hear the faints sounds of the music score. David Marquez’s use of widescreen panels creates a cinematic quality to the beautiful artwork. The panel layouts and composition also add to this cinematic feel with the use of fun low angle shots and panoramic widescreens. The colors were subtle but popped only when necessary to accent things like the Steward’s powers. Another highlight was the coloring and rendering of oblivion when the Steward banished Doctor Lockwood into eternity.
The writing here is top notch continuing from the first volume. Hester has a magnificent talent of using a very meta concept of time travel but keeping it intelligible to all who read this story. The dialogue is also top notch especially the Steward’s as it gives him an almost godlike view of the world.
When you find yourself at a comic shop this Wednesday, pick this up you as will definitely not be disappointed.
