Terra Obscura

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Summary: Terra Obscura
Review: Awakened from a 40-year induced slumber in the pages of 'Tom Strong - Book Two', the heroes of Terra Obscura live on a parallel Earth in Alan Moore's Tom Strong continuum. 'Terra Obscura' follows these heroes after they were awakened.


The story begins as a pretty good mystery involving mysterious superhero deaths, supernatural desert anomolies and a fascist, sentient computer program with the personality of a deceased hero. It's a quick, light read and not nearly as good as the intro in 'Tom Strong Bk II'. This may be partly due to Alan Moore's reduced role (he's listed as co-plotter). Moore has set the bar pretty high when his name is attached. This one is not bad - I enjoyed it - but, I'd recommend the 1st 3 Tom Strong graphic novels and the ABC Sketchbook first.

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Summary: The Heroes are Back! Now What?
Review: Terra Obscura is a world almost identical to Earth. It was discovered by Tom Strong. In Tom Strong Vol. 2, Tom was enlisted by Tom Strange to help Terra Obscura from an extraterrestrial threat that was destroying his world. This volume takes place several years later.

Now that the alien threat is gone, the members of SMASH (Society of Major American Science Heroes) are having to deal with a world that is much different from the one before they were frozen for thirty years. Tom Strange has disappeared and SMASH is pretty much defunct. One member has been killed and his old partner is out to solve his murder.

But during the investigation, strange things begin to happen in the Grand Canyon and a zone where nothing scientific works is slowly growing. Soon it starts to spread faster and the existing members of SMASH must reunite and fight this new menace as more and more of the country falls under the zone.

An interesting world, mystery, and storyline. Definitely an enjoyable read although it would be a good idea to read the pre-story in Tom Strong Vol. 2. I look forward to more from these characters and their world.