The latest word on Sentinel is that, despite its cancellation, the series is going to be released for the bookstore markets in digest format.  When it was pointed out that there wasn't much point attracting bookstore readers to a series that didn't exist any more, Marvel canvassed the interesting possibility that the series might continue entirely in digest format, skipping the monthly title altogether.

Now, personally I think it's long overdue for somebody to try that approach, since success with the direct market audience is almost entirely irrelevant to success with the readers they're trying to target in the bookstores.  But since this current arc seems to be hitting the self-destruct button and bringing everything to a conclusion, I rather suspect that, in reality, the next issue will be it.

This is the issue where government agent Brian Rinehart takes Juston aside and reveals that he's worked out the whole plot.  Meanwhile, the Sentinel has finally remembered that it's supposed to hunt mutants for a living.  With admirable diligence, it promptly sets off to do some hunting.  Say what you want about Sentinels, but at least they've got commitment.

All of this looks like we're heading for a final issue in which everything collapses.  This seems like it's heading for a satisfying resolution, which is nice.  Sean McKeever pulls off a couple of good twists, including one that I can't believe I didn't see coming - the possibility that Juston's younger brother is having all those headaches because he's a mutant.  To be honest, if he does turn out to be a mutant, it'll be a bit contrived.  But for purposes of this story, it's enough just to raise the possibility.

McKeever and Udon may still struggle to tie everything up satisfyingly in the remaining pages, but at least the series seems to be going out with a bang.

Rating: B+

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