The Twilight Zone: 1959

The Twilight Zone: 1959 see below for preview images

Credits:
Laughing Matter
Writer: Tom Peyer
Artist: Randy Valiente
Colorist: Salvatore Aiala Studos
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Initiation
Writer: Mark Rahner
Artist: Colton Worley
Colorist: Salvatore Aiala Studos
Letterer: Simon Bowland
The Comics Code
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Colton Worley
Colorist: Salvatore Aiala Studos
Letterer: John Layman
 
In this forty-eight-page special we have three short stories in a one-shot issue.  Here we have a somewhat constant theme of bullying.  Our attention is drawn to the lengths people to which people will go when their only concern is themselves.
 
We have a story of a young man, his abusive father who thrives on causing other people’s misery and the power of perception.  There’s a tale of a little boy who desperately wants to be accepted by the older kids in his town and what he’ll do to get that.  And finally, a cautionary tale about propaganda and profiting from deceit.
Though all of these comic shorts have a similar theme they are all very different stories.  Yet, each “bully” seemingly gets what is coming to them, although it might not be how you’d expect.  That’s the beauty of “The Twilight Zone”.

We get the classic introduction in each story as if it were the actual show.  I can practically hear Rod Serling himself when I read those parts. 

Even though there are two different artists working on this issue, the art flows together from story to story very well.  It seems to be fairly traditional comic book art but, it’s good nonetheless.  I happen to prefer more bold and colorful images but, it seems the muted tones are a popular thing anymore.

Still, I found the stories to be classic Twilight Zone material.  My personal favorite was the last one, the story about profit and deception.  It’s always struck me as interesting that the writers for this show (and now comic book series) do such a great job at taking everyday situations and turning them into a twisted tale that goes beyond what we could normally consider.

Any Twilight Zone fan would enjoy this comic book.  It’s truly nostalgic in a way.

RATINGS
Overall 3.5/5
Story 3.5/5
Artwork 3.5/5