Cover of the final issue of IDW's Infestation
This week, the IDW crossover event “Infestation” finished, and while it started strong, the end was simply not satisfying. If readers were expecting this to tie together the different elements of the stories in the other four universes, they are in for a disappointment.
There was little to no connection between this last issue and the mini-stories set in the four universes in the crossover. Yes, Britt went to those places to advance and expand the virus and the influence of the Undermind, but there was no direct reference to what happened in each universe. The four panels that showed images from each universe were simply not enough. I think that was a major mistake. Without those ties, the other stories were simply a generic zombie tale set in the Star Trek, Ghostbusters, Transformers, and G.I. Joe worlds. Nothing special about them at all.
There was a reference to Britt being an active part of the incursion onto each universe. I have a problem with that statement though. I really did not see it in the G.I. Joe issues. It may have been the intent that the arm was her avatar, but if so, it was not clearly established in the story.
Ideally, once Britt returned to her original universe, there would have been some way to tell either what she gained from each universe, or if she suffered a setback, how that affected the Undermind. Even one or two pages that evaluated each sub-plot would have enhanced this story.
I was particularly disappointed that the Ghostbusters story was not resolved here. That plotline was the one that was not entirely finished in the featured issues for that universe. In the final panels, it was apparent that Britt took some of Gozer’s essence, and I had hoped that this would be explained in the final issue. Instead, readers are left hanging. I have no problem with leaving openings for future stories; indeed, I like that she left Peter and company a little gift, and perhaps that will be used in a future story. However, that is very different from having a dangling plot thread as happened with Gozer’s essence.
Now, I have said before, and will say again, that we all know that comic book publishers are in the business to make money. Crossover events are one way to do this, getting readers to buy issues they otherwise would not give a second thought. I don’t mind so much if the stories are good, and if most, if not all of the various issues are linked, and readers get a complete and satisfying tale. In this case, I get the feeling that this crossover was more about the gimmick and the money, and less about the story, and that’s backwards.
This event had a good solid beginning, and of the four stories, some were very good, and others average. However, the ending ruined this event. Things were definitely not wrapped up in a nice package. I will be thinking twice before making an investment of time or money in another IDW crossover in the future.
