For years, conspiracy theorists have tried to convince people that man never landed on the moon. What if that were closer to the truth than we think? That is the question posed in “Days Missing: Kestus” issue three, which was released this week.
While The Steward seems to always have man’s best interests at heart, Kestus has decided that man’s warring ways cannot be allowed to extend beyond Earth. As The Steward watches the launch of Apollo 11 explode seconds after liftoff, he realizes that in all of his efforts to make sure that event was a success, he did not account for sabotage by Kestus.
The real meat of this story is not the historical event that serves as the backdrop, but the moments between The Steward and Kestus. Alike yet different, they end up reaching out to each other as they always have, needing each other as the only other being to whom each can truly relate. Kestus saves The Steward’s life, and his urging for her to stay with him and watch humanity as he sees it may in turn save hers. It will be very interesting to see what happens next for these characters.
Writer Phil Hester continues to give us a very powerful story, and this was a wonderful event to serve as a setting. Apollo 11 was a true turning point in human history, and it is fitting that it should be a turning point for the development of these characters as well. Artist David Marquez did a nice job capturing the look of the time period in which this story is set. Also, he beautifully captured both the tragedy and triumph that can be space travel.
This issue also has part three of “The First Fold” which continues the origin of The Steward. Writer (and “Days Missing” creator) Trevor Roth shows us the moment in his past that set The Steward on his course for the future, and it is very powerful.
I believe this issue to be the best of “Kestus” thus far. Wonderful characterization and development, and one of the most memorable events in human history. This is truly fine storytelling.
