JOHN CARPENTER’S TALES OF SCIENCE FICTION: THE ENVOY. Timeless Tale Of Ambition And Alien Invasion

The most recent instalment of John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction, continues with their mainstay talents, David J. Schow and Andres Esparza, with no sign of them running out of steam.

The Envoy is a tale about two college friends who pursued different avenues to make their own breakthrough. Ben, the main character, explored paranormal and inter-dimensional existence, while Steven pursued the more conventional extra-terrestrial contact. When both make varying levels of success, they are brought back together and find they have drawn the human race into greater conspiracy and conflict.

At its core The Envoy has the classic feel of extra-terrestrial, first contact, science fiction akin to Outer Limits or Twilight Zone. Which is entirely the purpose of this series, so though it sticks to this remit, there are also no real big surprises or particularly innovative plots or twists. Though there is some predictability, it does still manage not to be singularly cliched. There is a hint of cosmic horror, which lends some flexibility and variety with the art style and alien designs, angled mostly at Ben’s paranormal investigations.

Though it starts a little slow, and the character and plot development fumbles here-and-there, this was a genuinely entertaining read. The art is straight forward but evocative, especially as the stakes increase and things take more sinister turns.

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