The end is here for the Augurs. Whether that means they escape or die trying is up to them, but – either way – they aren’t going back.  Killswitch creators Jefferey and Susan Bridges culminate this intense and politically inspired tale in a climax that ends on a bittersweet note.

One thing that’s noticeable in this series is the Bridges’ understanding of and compassion for the value of human life. After the quick character study of Director Jackson in the previous issue, the lives of every person on the page feel momentous. It’s a little disheartening that there were some nameless grunts that were treated as such, but it adds to the message. People aren’t always going to have the chance to explain why they’re in the position that they are. Sometimes, they’re gone in an instant, and we’re left with the question of “why” with an empty answer.  Still, you can feel the loss of the characters, and going back and rereading the previous issues adds to the weight of everything. So much has happened in what culminates to a relatively small amount of time. Freedom comes at a cost, and those we’ve connected with are the ones that pay the ultimate price. Even with escape, they would still have to contend with a society that both hates them and relies on them.

Looking at the art of the series, Geovani shows the emptiness of space; it’s in stark contrast to the cramped spaces that have taken up the page (in a good way). The white space throughout is utilized to show emptiness or fullness that’s relative to where the scene is.

The ending of Killswitch was always going to be open ended and bittersweet; these stories always are. What’s important is that it ends on something truly monumental. We’re given a glimmer of hope. We don’t know if there will be more to the Killswitch story after this series, but that’s okay. It’s kind of the point of the story: that there can be more than what we’re given.  It’s appropriate—the story only detailed the lives of a few, and there are so many more Augurs who aren’t lucky to have someone like Regula around. There’s no doubt that the Bridges were inspired by the current political situation, and it’s a testament to their storytelling ability that it doesn’t detract from the message.

Killswitch #4 is an ending that suggests otherwise.  It ends the only way it could have, with the hope of a better future. It’s a fascinating and intriguing tale of fighting for a better life. It’s the kind of story that we need more of.

Creative Team: Jefferey and Susan Bridges (writers), Walter Geovani (art), Brittany Peer (colors), Ed Dukeshire (letters), Natasha Alterici (cover), Dylan Todd/Big Red Robot (logo)
Publisher: Action Lab: Danger Zone
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