Advance Review: Family Matters In `Stranger Things: Kamchatka’ #4
by Tom Smithyman
Overview
Despite some great images of the fearsome demogorgon, there isn’t much to connect this book to the streaming series. Still, it’s a good story about the ties that bind us, whether as a literal family or as a virtual one.
Overall
8/10The bonds that connect family members some of the strongest, most emotional motivational devices in storytelling. When a story attempts to reconnect family members or repair damaged relationships, the stakes are at their highest.
In the end, that is what Stranger Things: Kamchatka is all about. For four issues in this limited series, young Anna and Leonid Orlov traveled across Russia, with the help of the spy Frost, to rescue their father. Frost has his own family issues, as he attempts to repair his relationship with an estranged daughter. And even evil Ivan rues the fact that his mentor Frost cared more about the affairs of state that about tutoring him.
The Netflix series is also deeply rooted in family affairs – whether those relationships are biological or adopted families or tight groups of friends. But, save for the title and a fearsome demogorgon, there’s no other connection back to the streaming series. With half of the most recent season of Stranger Things taking place in Russia, it’s understandable for readers to be underwhelmed with this limited series. That doesn’t make the comic bad, but the attempted corporate synergy could leave readers understandably complaining about a bait and switch.
Writer Michael Moreci turns in a fine story about the ties that bind us together and the lengths we will go to stay together. Yet if it didn’t have a Stranger Things title, it’s hard to imagine that it would have generated much interest from the major comic book publishers.
Artist Todor Hristov’s visuals continue to impress. Of course, his demogorgon is the highlight, and it is every bit as fearsome on the printed page as it is on the screen. But even the quieter, character-driven moments are clear and easy to follow.
With as much as two years until the streaming series final season, we haven’t seen the last of Stranger Things comics titles. One of the keys to future success will be telling a story that connects with the characters we know.
Stranger Things: Kamchatka #4 will be available for purchase on Wednesday.
