Smallville: Continuity #11 Review

Written by: Bryan Q. Miller
Art by: Marcelo Di Chiara and Ig Guara
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: November 11, 2014

A New Beginning?

This is the penultimate issue of the Continuity arc and the entire Smallville series.  It doesn't feel like it, though.  Last weeks issue ended the Continuity story complete with a New Hope style celebration and even set up a few cool things for the last two issues. While this issue does feel a bit like an epilogue,strange things are afoot at the Circle K.  After reading last weeks issue and now this one, I wouldn't be shocked if a spinoff book was announced after next weeks finale.  Of course, that may just be me hoping with all my might that every week I get to read a Bryan Q. Miller penned book, but a boy can have dreams, right?  Speculation aside, I did like this character heavy issue and almost everything about it.  What didn't I like?  I guess you'll have to keep reading to find out.

The issue starts with Tess trying out some new body mods while on a date with Emil.  She tests out her touch, taste and ability to get with the kissy time.  Everything seems to be working just fine, but she has to call it an early night and get to work...on the Moon.  Yes, the Watchtower is back online.  Next it's off to D.E.O Headquarters where Chloe and Oliver are being shown around by Steve Trevor and Diana Prince.  It's not just a tour, however, it's a recruiting session and my favorite Smallville couple sign up and are ready to help save the World.  Oliver gets a badge and a group of "Outsiders" to train.

Bryan Q. Miller saves the best for last.  Lex Luthor has a new assistant and she is perfect.  Actually, Lex has a few problems with her and they are hilarious and heartbreaking all in one.  She may be qualified, but she is no replacement for Otis, no matter how hard Lex tries to make her.  The scene and the issue ends with Lex getting a new job that is a perfect setup for some great stories in the future.

Like I said in the beginning, something is going on here.  Miller sets up Oliver as the instructor to a cool bunch of D.E.O recruits and Lex gets a job that will make him work hand-in-hand with the people that drive him the most nuts.  What gives?  This doesn't seem like the second to last issue of a series.  It does feel like the start of something awesome so I hope I'm right.

The thing I didn't like is the art for this issue.  I didn't hate it, I just didn't like it very much.  Everything seemed a bit generic and I really didn't like the facial work of any character save the Red Tornado Tess.  All the other characters just looked a little off this week.

Bits and Pieces:

It may be a pipe dream, but this felt more like the second issue of a series, not the second to last.  So many cool things are being setup that I can only hope continue after next week.  I don't want to say goodbye to these great characters and I am still holding out hope I won't have to after all.

8.5/10