REVIEW: Olympia #5 comes to a thunderous conclusion
Olympia #5 is out July 1, 2020.
By Benjamin Morin — Olympia has been a wonderful metafictional journey through comics history while telling a deeply emotional tale. Previous issues have laid the groundwork through an examination of the concept of heroes, the ever-changing comics landscape, and a human story of loss. Its concluding issue is no different as it delivers a gripping final battle and ties up the emotional throughline.
The issue resumes its story right in the middle of the climactic showdown between Vilayne and Olympian. Stuck in the middle of this apocalyptic battle are Elon and Kirby as they fight alongside their fictional counterparts. The fate of the multiverse hangs in the balance and it's only when our heroes come to terms with their own internal struggles that they will be able to save everything.
Throughout the series, writer Curt Pires has woven a deeply personal narrative that comes to a head in this conclusion. Pires has touched upon deep sorrow resulting from the loss of father figures as exemplified through his characters Elon and Kirby. It is through an examination of these two characters that we see the differing effects of loss. This is one of the strongest facets of Olympia as it hits at a deeply personal level for everyone who has experienced great loss and feels the whole world is against them. It is in these moments that we cling to what comforts us and can serve as a guide through these impossible times. Through Olympia, Pires offers age old heroes who never waver in the face of destruction as the ideal to strive towards and encourage us to persevere through the impossible.
The artistic duo of Alex Diotto and Dee Cunniffe strike again with some of their best work in the series. Lightning bolts crackle and leap off the page in their Kirby-esque style alongside kinetic sword fights that read like you’re actually in the battle. The frenetic action and visceral violence is turned up to 11 here to give the culminating battle even more weight. Cunniffe’s coloring should also be mentioned as he makes each panel leap off the page with contrasting color palettes on each side of the battle. All of the artistic choices here lead to a visually superb issue.
I have loved the journey Olympia has taken me on from issue one. Each issue has been carefully crafted as a love letter to classic comics and the conclusion follows suit. Pires has crafted a narrative that feels very personal yet infinitely relatable at the same time. He expertly illustrates the cultural power of superheroes and why they resonate so deeply with us as examples to strive towards.
Overall: Olympia’s final issue brings all the narrative threads to a point in a battle of epic proportions. 9/10
Olympia #5 - REVIEW
Olympia #5
Story: Tony and Curt Pires
Script: Curt Pires
Artist: Alex Diotto
Colorist: Dee Cunniffe
Letterer: Micah Myers
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $5.99
The war for planet earth is waged in this extra-length finale.
Release Date: July 1, 2020
Buy It Digitally: Olympia #5 via comiXology
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Benjamin Morin currently studies Journalism/Mass Media at Johnson University. He is a comic book enthusiast and aspiring filmmaker.