Reviewed by: Mathan “The End, yet again” Erhardt
Story Title: We Sailed for Parts Unknown
Written by: Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Penciled and Inked by: Phil Winslade
Lettered by: Nick J. Napolitano
Colored by: Chris Chuckry
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Publisher: DC Comics
So, in last issue, Alice was kidnapped by the crooked cop that she had grown interested in, who planned to auction her off as slave to the highest bidder. Rehooked on heroin (thanks to the aforementioned cop) she was in no position to fight back.
This issue begins with Tilt and Monolith saving the day. Monolith cracks some heads, but Alice’s abductor takes her hostage at gunpoint. He and Tilt exchange threats, and then bullets. Tilt gets grazed in the head and while he gets shot in the throat. All three shaken, but alive, head back home.
Facing a newly re-addicted Alice, Monolith and Tilt force her to try cold turkey withdrawal again. During the withdrawal Alice has a dream where she speaks to her grandmother and gets some cryptic advice on how to deal with her current situations. When she wakes up she finds that Monolith and Tilt are eager to celebrate her sobriety.
Later Alice, Tilt and Monolith go for a walk where they try to gauge Monolith’s understanding of his situation. But before things get too serious there’s a snowball fight. Of course it ends with a huge snowball from Monolith who wants to get in on the action.
Back at home, it’s Christmas Eve and everyone exchanges gifts. Alice gives Tilt a cat and she gives Monolith a gift from his past, which causes him to recall his name. The End.
Palmiotti and Gray wrap up the storyline, but they leave the book dangling. They give it a hint of closure, but even that hint feels rushed. It was nice that they fully addressed the reintroduction to drugs. We also get a glimpse at Alice coming to terms with her responsibility. Sadly we won’t get to see what they had planned for the future of this book
Fortunately Winslade does return to close the title out. His cover is amazing and somber. The fight at the beginning is very well done. As is Monolith’s gentle touch as Alice is going through her withdrawal. Hopefully he’ll get another monthly gig so we won’t be deprived of his work for too long.
