The Twilight Zone Vol. 2: The Way In

by J. Michael Straczynski

Collects The Twilight Zone #5-8!

Nothing special has ever happened to Diana Westby. She has a comfortable relationship, a decent job, and vague dreams for the future. But now something has happened to her, something beyond understanding. She is suddenly able to hear thoughts and see glimpses of the future... a future that includes the threat of a mushroom cloud rising over downtown Manhattan! As someone who has never had to stick her neck out for someone else, Diana must choose between her own safety and the lives of millions of others. Her decision will take her from the abyss of her worst fears to the summit of her courage... a journey that could only happen in The Twilight Zone. Includes a complete script for the first chapter of the graphic novel by J. Michael Straczynski, Hugo Award-winning creator of Babylon 5.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Mystery, Graphic Novels Comics

143 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2014

About the author

Joseph Michael Straczynski is an American filmmaker and comic book writer. He is the founder of Synthetic Worlds Ltd. and Studio JMS and is best known as the creator of the science fiction television series Babylon 5 (1993–1998) and its spinoff Crusade (1999), as well as the series Jeremiah (2002–2004) and Sense8 (2015–2018). He is the executor of the estate of Harlan Ellison.
Straczynski wrote the psychological drama film Changeling (2008) and was co-writer on the martial arts thriller Ninja Assassin (2009), was one of the key writers for (and had a cameo in) Marvel's Thor (2011), as well as the horror film Underworld: Awakening (2012), and the apocalyptic horror film World War Z (2013). From 2001 to 2007, Straczynski wrote Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, followed by runs on Thor and Fantastic Four. He is the author of the Superman: Earth One trilogy of graphic novels, and he has written Superman, Wonder Woman, and Before Watchmen for DC Comics. Straczynski is the creator and writer of several original comic book series such as Rising Stars, Midnight Nation, Dream Police, and Ten Grand through Joe's Comics.
A prolific writer across a variety of media and former journalist, Straczynski is the author of the autobiography Becoming Superman (2019) for HarperVoyager, the novel Together We Will Go (2021) for Simon & Schuster, and Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer (2021) for Benbella Books. In 2020 he was named Head of the Creative Council for the comics publishing company Artists, Writers and Artisans.
Straczynski is a long-time participant in Usenet and other early computer networks, interacting with fans through various online forums (including GEnie, CompuServe, and America Online) since 1984. He is credited as being the first TV producer to directly engage with fans on the Internet and to allow viewer viewpoints to influence the look and feel of his show. Two prominent areas where he had a presence were GEnie and the newsgroup rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated.

Reviews

[Stewart Tame · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diane Westby starts having visions of the future and hearing people's thoughts after receiving a generous tip from a stanger--an ancient coin of unknown origins. When she begins having recurring visions of Manhattan being destroyed in a nuclear blast, she begins to wonder if her new abilities are a blessing or a curse, and struggles to find the correct path forward ...

This series is still going strong. Straczynski has clearly thought out the story well in advance. There are recognizeable snatches of the story from volume 1 as they intersect with Diane's life, and we also get more pieces of the story to come in volume 3. The catalyst for all three (I presume) stories seems to be a man named Wylde, who looks like he would have been played by the late Leo McKern if this were a TV show or movie. One note that grated on me a bit was when a trio of men show up at the diner where Diane works, and they're clearly intended to be the instigators of this nuclear explosion that she's been seeing. And they're Middle Eastern. It's just such a cliche that I winced when I hit that scene. To JMS' credit, he does try to develop them a bit as characters, as opposed to leaving them as Standard Muslim Terrorist #1, #2, and #3. And, as befits a Twilight Zone story, this does not end the way you think it will. Looking forward to volume 3 ...

[Dann · Rating 4 out of 5]

J. Michael Straczynski’s anthology of terror continues with frighteningly realistic horrors in The Twilight Zone Volume Two: The Way In. This time the story follows a coffee shop waitress named Diana Westby who’s plagued by visions of a mushroom cloud rising over downtown Manhattan and is then given an ancient coin by a mysterious customer that allows her to hear peoples’ thoughts; including a group of Middle Eastern terrorist who are days away from carrying out an attack. Once again there are several crossover scenes and characters with the other two volumes; including a Mr. Wylde, who appears to be some sort of an agent of the Twilight Zone who puts people on their path or comes to their aid. However, things get a little too real with the terrorist plotline, and even a bit politically controversial. Also, the protagonist isn’t all that interesting. Yet, the twist ending redeems it all and delivers a powerful message. Additionally, the artwork does a good job at matching the dark and gritty tone of the writing. While it’s weaker than the first volume, The Twilight Zone Volume Two: The Way In is an impressive graphic novel that offers a frightening apocalyptic vision.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Review is for al l three volumes read back to back.

A long story strung across three volumes but without ever feeling dragged out or inflated, weaving together three separate storylines that cross paths without being overly coincidental or contrived, and that has enough faith in the audience not to offer easy explanations.
I'm sure somewhere out there, Rod Serling approves.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading volume 1 of Straczynski's The Twilight Zone, I was ready to quit. Just not compelling enough to make me want to continue. However, I already had volume 2 in my grubby little mitts so I gave it a chance.

I am sooo glad I did. This is what The Twilight Zone is all about.

Diana is a cafe waitress by day. But at night she has horrific dreams about nuclear explosions in the sky above Manhattan. Why? She doesn't know. Until, that is, she is given an ancient coin as a tip at work that allows her to hear the thoughts of those around her. Even thoughts in a foreign tongue.

Oh so good! And just like The Twilight Zone to leave some of the ending to our imagination. I'm officially hooked.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story cleverly intertwined with the first volume, but unfortunately I don't think this volume was as strong.

This was a little more like a typical Twilight Zone story where we have a woman who is able to see the future, but not sure how to change it. The ending was disappointing to me, although I have to admit it did fit the Twilight Zone theme. The art didn't bring the story down, but it also didn't bring it up.

Overall not bad, just a bit of a letdown after a strong opening volume.

[Jimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Twilight Zone, Vol. 2."
Written by J. Michael Straczynski.
Art by by Guiu villanova.
Colours by Vinicius Andrade.
Lettering by Rob Steen,
Covers By Francesco Francavilla.
Dynamite Publishing
RRP £11.99


OK, this IS a review of 'The Twilight Zone, Vol. 2', and I WILL get to that, but there are a few things I have to get through first regarding the writer and his past few years in the comics biz, so either forgive the lengthy intro, or skip straight to the review at the bottom: your choice.


'The Twilight Zone' is most definitely an appropriate title for J.Michael Straczynski to have been writing throughout 2013-14, in many ways. JMS had not only worked as script editor(bringing in Harlan Ellison among others) on the third season of the revival of the TV show in the 1980's but also penned many episodes , contributed to the 90's comic spin offs and even provided an introduction to the first publication of Rod Serling's original scripts.

Given the strange and unpredictable professional journey he undertook over the few years preceding 2013, JMS probably felt right at home in the world of Serling's famous creation. An illustrious career in comics, as well as film, TV and Radio, not to mention journalism, and non-fiction and fiction novels followed relatively humble beginnings as an FM Sci-Fi talk show host in 1970's California.

Although he'd been around a long time, most notably on his celebrated TV how/Film/Novel franchise, 'Babylon 5')his work at Marvel from 2001 to 2006 on Thor, The Hulk, Fantastic Four and, especially, Spider-Man, really put him on the comics map, and despite a defining run on 'Amazing Spider-Man'(which is currently providing some of many elements Dan Slott is drawing from for the excellent 'Spider-Verse'), he ultimately left the company with his reputation besmirched by the universally ill-received 'One More Day' storyline which was reportedly a bone of contention between he and his artist, co-writer and Editor In Chief, Joe Quesada.

However, in my view, problems on 'Amazing Spider-Man' really began to arise with the 'Other' and, especially, 'Civil War' crossovers. CW had lengthy delays, which meant ASM had to be held back due to potential spoilers, and big changes for Peter Parker. 'One More Day' however, sealed JMS' fate at Marvel. The negative reaction was almost unparalleled, and the comic is famous for heralding a new distasteful trope with its dissolution of a well-regarded, high profile marriage in comics. While nowhere near as repulsive as 'Women In Fridges', its interesting to note that this trope has become ever more relevant since, with the 'New 52' at DC in particular being a big component in wiping away from comics' pages marriages between top tier characters.

Meanwhile, JMS was off to Hollywood to write the screenplay for 2008's 'Changeling', which received a BAFTA nomination. Not long after this, DC Comics swooped him up for a few issues of 'Brave And The Bold', then revealed he'd be working on both Wonder Woman and Superman as of their respective 600th and 700th issues. I myself remember this announcement was met with much excitement and expectation, yet ultimately has been looked back on with a mixture of feelings, mostly rage, disappointment and, in the case of his credited co-writer on 'Superman', Chris Roberson, resentment.


After that there was yet another controversy, one that really split the atom for him in Comic Internetland: his participation, and vocal support for the very existence of, 'Before Watchmen'. Of course, it also meant he fell afoul of Alan Moore,(and a million passionate fans of his work) something that had been thus far missing in his illustrious CV and, to be honest, a factor he probably needed to give it a little zing. No big name writer is complete without a Moore feud. JMS rightly justified his position, while alluding to Moore's previous tenure, as work-for-hire writers on DC properties.

When met with a further barrage of criticism pointing out the infamous situation regarding the rights to Watchmen, he tried to defend himself by aligning the issue with tales about experiences with his own creation that he doesn't technically have rights to: Babylon 5. No dice, the internet didn't listen, and the failure of his WW and Superman runs combined with the Before Watchmen controversy all but ended his days at DC, which was a shame. I would really have liked to have seen him take a stab at legacy characters such as the Justice Society, or Teen Titans. There definitely was a place for JMS at DC Comics in 2010, unfortunately he never found his way there.

To be honest, I feel that the only big mistakes JMS made personally at DC were in the soft relaunches of 'Wonder Woman' and 'Superman(although the art in both WW, by Don Kramer, and Superman, by Eddy Barrows was actually pretty good.) In 'Wonder Woman' he had completely reinvented the world, character and(controversially-surprise!)costume of Wonder Woman. Unfortunately the world didn't really work, the new mysterious character didn't make much sense, and the costume simply puzzled a whole bunch of people. 'Superman: Grounded' was worse. Having The Man Of Steel walk across America with PTSD left it deserving of its status as Comics Alliance's 'Worst Of 2010'. Things did pick up a little when Chris Roberson took over as solo writer, but the storyline as a whole is best forgotten.

Otherwise, JMS turned in a lot of interesting stories and some good work during this time, particularly in his contributions to 'Before Watchmen'. 'Doctor Manhattan' especially stands comparison with the far more recent Watchmen/Charlton pastiche, by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, 'The Multiversity: Pax Americana'. Though not quite as beautiful and complex as 'Pax Americana', JMS still treats the Doctor Manhattan/Captain Atom concept with the respect readers deserve, doing his best to show how the protagonist views timelines, and introducing alternate pasts and futures that an altered-at-atomic-level/5th dimensional being would probably be aware of. The art by Adam Hughes is as gorgeous as it is rare to see Hughes off cover work and doing full issues, too. Similarly, the artwork of 'Nite Owl', too, is of note, as it represents the last professional output of comics legend Joe Kubert, in collaboration with his son, Andy. A shame then, that the story is only average.

Concurrent to the Wonder Woman, Superman and Before Watchmen disasters, he released the first of DC Comics' 'Earth One' line, again with Superman, this time, though, it was an alternate reality origin tale, while its sequel followed a year later. Featuring some truly fantastic art by Shane Davis, the functional and enjoyable story of the first two books now seems a rather prescient anticipation of Kal-El's New 52 incarnation. Also, he made a decent job of reviving many of Marvel's Timely characters in the pages of 'The Twelve', along with Chris Weston, between 2008 and 2011.



By the time JMS announced he'd be working on 'Terminator: Salvation: The Final Battle'(also a good read, btw)at Dark Horse and 'The Twilight Zone' at Dynamite he was as close to a comics pariah as someone in his position could ever be. While many fans still respected his position as an elder statesman of sorts, another internet mob mentality had cast him as an out of touch hack. Ironic, since he had been one of the first writers to connect with fans in the modern fashion, via Usenet, as early as 1986, and use that connection to everyone's benefit.

All in all, I feel that JMS' work would have been far better without the type of interference that big label comic creators now have to accept as standard: internet fan harassment, whimsical editorial mandate and unreasonably dogmatic expectations of how to approach certain properties have all amounted to a climate that has probably deprived us of some great work.

Bringing me, finally, to this week's 'Twilight Zone, Vol. 2' collection. Now, although this is volume 2, and is an ongoing story, I'm fairly confident that new readers will be able to pick up here and go back to Volume 1, as JMS' longer story is 12 issues, split into three 4 issue arcs, the middle one of which(issues 5 to 8) is presented here.

There are connections between each arc, most of which are entirely independent of the order in which they are read, and in fact readers will probably benefit from reading the whole story in different orders each time, like with the various series of Garth Ennis' 'Crossed', Alan Moore's 'ABC' line, or Grant Morrison's 'Seven Soldiers Of Victory'. Although JMS' 'The Twilight Zone' isn't likely to be as well remembered as any of those three examples, it is definitely worth our attention.

The Triptych style is an ambitious concept to introduce to 'The Twilight Zone'. Although all tales in the franchise are ostensibly set within 'The Twilight Zone', I'm not sure I've ever heard of stories interlocked quite as tightly as they are in the current run. The lead character, Diana Clark, of Volume 2 was a minor character in Volume 1, and no doubt will return in some capacity for Volume 3. Obviously, in this volume, her character is fleshed out far more, we get to see her hopes and dreams as she struggles with a new found powerful gift, and how it affects her relationships with her lover, boss and some surprising strangers along the way.

The set up is really quite intriguing, with themes of choice, responsibility and the nature of personal sacrifice among others all leading to a suitably eerie conclusion. We also get to find out a bit more about the mysterious bearded power broker, Mr. Wylde, of 'Volume 1', even though his initial interaction with the new protagonist at first seems way more tangential than in the debut arc.

The art by Dynamite regular, Guiu Villanova(Raise The Dead, Dark Shadows) is adequate to the task. Although ever so slightly inconsistent, his functional style sits somewhere between the ultra clean line work of a Jamie McKelvie and the more rough, traditional caricatures of fellow Spanish artist, and Judge Dredd legend, Carlos Ezquerra. Some sequences were even exceptional, particularly on those pages where he was called upon to evoke De ja vu or disorientation in the reader as part of Diana's journey, and highlight the past of Mr Wylde. The colours, too, are used well by Vinicius Andrade, who particularly manages to shine when he draws from his palette to evoke other time periods in flashback sequences.

For extras, there is the full script for issue 5, along with thumbnails of the inked artwork, always a handy reference for anyone interested in the process of making comic books. In this instance, the script offers valuable insight into the process of a writer whose missteps over the last few years could never erase the experience visible on each direcion and line of dialogue. Also included, are the four original covers by Francesco Francavilla. His beautifu neo(n)-noir style fits the mood of the story perfectly and offers subtle glimpses of what the story holds, without giving anything away.

For fans of the TV show, or basically anyone who enjoys thoughtful comic books with a good story, I'd definitely recommend JMS & Guiu Villanova's 'The Twilight Zone, Vol. 2', available Wednesday 26th November, 2014.

3 and a half out of 5 stars.

jimi longmuir

[Brandon Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthy companion to the excellent first issue. This one left me a bit up in the air at the end. I liked the solidity of the conclusion of part 1, but the nebulous nature of the story justified not giving this chapter as precise of a wrap-up. I'll be curious to see how it's referenced in part 3.

Our protagonist (a minor character from part 1) is confronted with, as Serling loved to use, forces from the unknown, working through her in a way that she cannot communicate with others.

You can't tell someone that you know something is up because you read someone else's thoughts. You can't stop the machinations of terror, war, civilization and society when you work as a barista. Such things are simply not possible. But here our protagonist is challenged to do just that, and we get to take the journey alongside her.

It's an excellent middle section to what I'm sure will be an excellent 3-part companion piece to Rod Serling's finest works.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A barista gains some precognitive and mind reading abilities for some reason related to an old gold coin, and when she learns there's going to be a nuclear bombing of Manhattan, she has to decide what to do with that information.

Aside from the title and some narration at the beginning and the end, this doesn't seem much like a Twilight Zone story, so be warned there.

[Orlanda Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volume two ....

.... was better than Volume One. I was able to relate and have empathy towards Diana. The ending threw me off. At first I was angry, but as I thought about it more, I understood and got its meaning. Well played ....

[Arjun Rajkumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story and arc. Sets it up nicely for volume 3

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story and variation on the Groundhog Day plot. But it also features the stereotypical Middle Eastern terrorists, so points deducted for casual racism

[Lukas Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this 5 stars but that ending is so unsatisfying I can't. I really hope they wrap her story up in volume 3.

[Travis James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good.

Definitely a page turner. I genuinely enjoyed this story. Five *****'s!. Can't wait to read other "TZ" graphic novels. I hope they're as good as this issue was. 😀

[Cale · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second of three interconnected volumes of Twilight Zone tales is a bit darker in tone and less steeped in the Twilight Zone traditions, but still tells an interesting story, as a woman's dreams of an apocalypse lead her in attempts to try to stop it. But when it requires more of her than she has previously given, can she make the leap and do what needs to be done to prevent it? The story is okay on its own, but is definitely enriched with the crossover elements from the other two volumes in the series; moments that seem random or unneeded in the issues carry over to strengthen the overall collection. I read this in the single issues, but am sure everything carries over the same to the collected volumes.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, this one had a very classic Twilight Zone ending to it. Very much, indeed.

At this point it is clear that the three story arcs are all very much intertwined and I can't say that's a bad thing. I'm looking forward to the conclusion.