After re-reading issue #3 (along with my review of Tom Strong and the Robots of Doom #3), and diving straight into issue #4, I realized how rather bland the last installment was. Issue #4 improves upon everything that issue #3 was lacking to the point where it’s made me question whether or not this series could have ultimately been five issues instead of six.
Robots of Doom #4 kicks off with older Tom assisting his old foe Dr. Permafrost in a jailbreak in order to enlist his help to stop his evil Nazi son Albrecht. Meanwhile, younger Tom is in the clutches of Albrecht whilst his family sets out on a quest to find him. The real selling point of this issue is that writer Peter Hogan nails the charm that’s inherent with the Tom Strong series. Referencing back to some of the original Alan Moore issues and his own “Snow Queen” story, issue #4 is a reminder why we fell in love with Tom Strong in the first place.
The banter between an older Tom and the younger version of his foe, long accused of killing Tom’s first love, is priceless. There’s an unspoken thematic presence that fits right in line with the whole concept of Tom Strong that dissects the relationship of a superhero (or in this case, science hero) and his rogues. Seeing two different generations of these science-vigilantes interact is an interesting channel to opening the classic discussion of the nature of these relationships.
Artist and co-creator Chris Sprouse, once again, delivers to the fullest degree. Much like the rest of the issue, it’s a treat to see Sprouse revisit characters and races from issues past, like Dr. Permafrost and the Salamanders. At this point, it’s rather unimaginable to consider any further issues of Tom Strong without Sprouse’s involvement.
Any doubts I had about this mini-series being up to snuff with the rest of the Tom Strong mythos have been put to rest with this issue. Hogan and Sprouse pay homage to the tales that came before while adding in their own flavor of depth by showcasing familiar characters at previously unseen ages, enriching the fictional histories of the bizarre cultures underneath Millennium City and adding dimensions to rather typical relationships.
The future is looking good for Tom Strong.
