Art by Douglas Dabbs
This annual fills in some of the gaps from earlier issues in Guggenheim's 6-book first volume of this intriguing series.
This title tells the story of civilization after 10 years of alien attack. The bug-like aliens have left, and people are starting to pick up the pieces and restore their lives. The main book has focused on the connected stories of a few key players, but has long ran a sub-plot about a government agent, Judith, and her captive alien, who she has named Spock. At some point, Spock had escaped, and Judith both searched for him, and tried to eliminate any trace of him as she went.
This annual then tells the story that happened between Spock's escape and Judith's discovery of two hunters while on his trail. Contrary to what we knew before, it becomes clear that the hunters had met with Spock, and had even taken him to the caves that they have been living in for eight years, while hiding from the invasion force.
Guggenheim develops his characters quickly, and leaves us with a true sense of their personalities - they are archetypal, but have some depth to them.
The art on this issue is quite different from that of the usual series artist, and I found it to be somewhat jarring. The alien looks mechanical, instead of bug like.
In the text piece at the back, Guggenheim explains that this series is being put on hiatus before being 'resurrected' in colour, and on a proper monthly schedule. Interestingly, he doesn't say when that is going to happen.... He also claims that the entire first 6 issues, plus this annual will be published in a super-affordable trade paperback ($6), so if you haven't been reading this series, that will be well worth your picking up.
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