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The only second-tier X-book
shipping this week is Sentinel #5, the penultimate
chapter of the opening storyline.
What to say about this that we
haven't already said? McKeever has been gently shifting
the plot elements into place for a while now, and this issue
largely continues along the expected lines. The bullies
shift to psychological warfare, and in a nice touch, when they
do try to beat up Juston, he collapses in tears immediately.
Always nice to see a lead character not reacting according to
the handbook.
McKeever has carefully kept the
Sentinel away from any characters but Juston until now.
This month finally brings the Sentinel into the main story as
Juston apparently sets it on the bullies. The big
question is what exactly he told it to do. While it's
not overplayed, there are obvious Columbine echoes here, as
Juston reacts to his situation by reaching for a sodding great
weapon and aiming it at the football players. As the
story's been written, Juston is unequivocally in the right;
the question is whether he's got some clever plan in mind, or
whether he's just completely flipped.
It may, admittedly, be a flaw of
the story that I wouldn't be all that bothered if the Sentinel
did just kill them. They're rather lacking in redeeming
qualities, let's be honest.
Still, McKeever's slow burn
approach is paying off.
Rating: B+
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