Tales from the Cr-I mean Vortex!
Writer:Jeff Parker
Art: Steve Rude, Aaron Lopresti
Release Date: July 27, 2016
Are you ready to continue the amazing journey that is Future Quest?! That is what I wanted to ask if the solicitation was true. In all actuality, we will be taking a few steps back this issue. What do I mean by that? Well, it's pretty obvious how Space Ghost, Dr. Zin, and the Quest family are involved with the creature from the Vortex… But I bet you're wondering how the Herculoids got involved? And what about Birdman? How did these heroes come to cross paths with the Quest family? That's what this issue will explain to you. Am I annoyed that we aren't pushing forward? Not really. Jeff Parker has already given us two great issues, and the question was probably gonna come up anyway. So how do these "vortex tales" hold up? Let's dive in and find out!
The first story follows Birdman, as he is asked by F-7 of Inter-Nation to join Deva Sumadi on a mission against F.E.A.R. They soon find out that the terror-cult has been studying and trying to manipulate the Vortex where the creature comes from. As we learned from the first two issues, it's easier said than done and soon the Creature begins to absorb the agents of F.E.A.R., but not before Birdman swoops in and tries to save them. This leads to what the rest of the story actually is: a huge fight scene between Birdman, Deva and the Creature. Granted, it's cool to look at thanks to the art of Steve Rude, and shows off the powers that our winged protector has, which helps newcomers see how much of a badass he actually is. It ends as quickly as it begins, and Deva gets a call from Dr. Quest about there being more vortexes in the Florida Everglades. Then with a quip, the pair head off...
The second story revolves around the Herculoids fighting robots that are attempting to "mine" Igoo, the giant rock ape. While they were able to push back the machines, Dorno asks his parents what were they and why were they trying to harvest Igoo. Zandor, Dorno's father, decides that it was time to explain the origin of himself and his wife, Tara. The short version of it is that they were scientists from a planet where everyone was waited on hand and foot by robots. One day, Scientists decided to give them better AI, and hey big shock, the robot revolution happened, causing Zandor and Tara to escape to a neighboring planet, where they met the Herculoids.
What I described in a few sentences, take up more than half of their story. This is where my problem with the book is. The stories are good, but I felt that each one had what the other was lacking. For example, the Birdman story had plenty of action. However, we don't learn what Inter-Nation is, what is Deva's past is, and what really is the Creature, besides what we know right now. On the other hand, The Herculoids story is full of background information that a newcomer that doesn't know of the Hanna-Barbera characters should know. It throws the whole thing a little off balance... but just a little, because as I said, these stories are good!
The Herculoids story ends with the team pushing back the robots and the machines signaling home... The war has only begun.
Bits and Pieces:
While it wasn't as amazing as the first two issues, this was a pretty good issue as far as fill-ins go. One story gave us a lot of action, while the other gave us the origin of the human Herculoids, and both show us a bit how they were aimed toward the main plot. While Evan "Doc" Shaner sits this issue out, Steve Rude's art in Birdman and Aaron Lopresti's art in the Herculoids are really awesome and fit the style of Hanna-Barbera. While I can't wait to get back on track, I can't say I didn't enjoy this issue.
7/10
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