I was extremely impressed with Dan Jolley and Jamal Ingle's new take on the old T-800. The first issue of Enemy of My Enemy told a bold new story that takes place in 1985 during the time of the original movie. Using all new never seen before characters (minus the T-800), an interesting side tale has sprung that holds its own within the Terminator mythos. It is damn good. I have been kicking myself ever since I read it because I came in with such low expectations. Luckily for me, Jolley and Igle did not have such expectations and I know that I will doubt no more as to the solidness of this mini. Hell, I even dedicated a My Top Rack feature to the character Farrow Greene (SEE FEATURE). That's how impressed I was with it. When receiving Issue #2, I anxiously began devouring it with reckless abandon. I now expect a top notch issue when I read it. And in Issue #2, I get it. It is not a fluke. It's the real deal. This is shaping up to be one awesome mini. It now appears that there are three interested parties involved in this story. Their target is a small in stature and unassuming doctor named Elise Fong. For Ex CIA agent and super bad ass, Farrow Greene, capturing Fong will go a long way in helping her “reach her goal” whatever that may be. We know that it has something to do with her current status as a mercenary rather than a CIA agent, but that is all. For the T-800, Fong's termination is necessary. And as for the government, It would appear that eliminating Ms.Greene and the T-800 tops their list. All 3 parties meet in this issue and the action is spectacular, a fatal three way for the ages. We also get just a little peek as to why Dr. Fong might be so important.
Dan Jolley, Jamal Igle, and Ray Snyder (on the inks) all deserve super credit on this issue. Jolley works a machine gun pace on the story and dialogue that is complemented well with Ingle and Snyder's artistic impressions. They not only tell a good story, but they have introduced quite possibly that hardest core female herione in any Terminator story with their introduction and development of Farrow Greene. She is giving The T-800, and now the government men everything she has got. And there isn't a whole lot they can do but take the ass whipping being given to them. The lady is a wrecking ball of power.
Ever since the release of the Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines movie, I had been down on the franchise. It seemed nothing could capture the energy or the spirit of the first two films, comics included. Recently though, Dark Horse Comics has begun to change that decline with its release of Terminator Salvation: The Final Battle and now with this side story mini. Ground that was lost has been regained and I for one am squarely back on board to see where things will go from here. Bring it on guys. Bring it on.
Score: 5/5
Writer: Dan Jolley Artist: Jamal Igle Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $3.99 Release Date: 3/19/14