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Back to the Future (2015) #4
Back to the Future, Volume 4: Hard Time
Co-creator Bob Gale takes his most famous creations through new comic book adventures that expand the universe created by the blockbuster films!
The secrets of Jailbird Joey threaten Marty and Doc—what did Uncle Joey do in the past that was so bad… and what does that mean for Marty in the present day of 1986? You can bet your bottom dollar that Doc Brown has a theory! Collects issues #18–21.
The secrets of Jailbird Joey threaten Marty and Doc—what did Uncle Joey do in the past that was so bad… and what does that mean for Marty in the present day of 1986? You can bet your bottom dollar that Doc Brown has a theory! Collects issues #18–21.
97 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 1, 2025
(B+) 78% | Good
Notes: Starts standalone (sitcom fun in tale one), tale two's a paler hue, bit TV-movie, low-res, groovy, hippies, Fu Manchus.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issue #18 ◦ Issues #19-21
Notes: Starts standalone (sitcom fun in tale one), tale two's a paler hue, bit TV-movie, low-res, groovy, hippies, Fu Manchus.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issue #18 ◦ Issues #19-21
May 2, 2020
Love this series so much! The way this one ends you really need to read Vol 5 immediately after.
October 25, 2017
Me he dado cuenta que al parecer no tiene la misma numeración la edición en español que la de Estados Unidos, o por lo menos la sinopsis no coincide, en fin.
Fiel al dibujo, a la trama las aventuras del Doc siguen.
Me gusta que las pequeñas historias el Doc se las está contando a sus hijos Julio y Verne.
En la primera historia vemos como Marty conoce a Jennifer y en la segunda un pequeño viaje al futuro del Doc.
Fiel al dibujo, a la trama las aventuras del Doc siguen.
Me gusta que las pequeñas historias el Doc se las está contando a sus hijos Julio y Verne.
En la primera historia vemos como Marty conoce a Jennifer y en la segunda un pequeño viaje al futuro del Doc.
September 5, 2017
I base my rating because I really enjoy the Back to the Future series as a whole. I just wish this lasted as long as a traditional volume but it does not. It last 3 issues with a 4th issue telling an unrelated story. This tells a tale of Uncle Jailbird Joey. The ending is a surprise. Here is to looking forward to the next chapter in the story.
May 26, 2018
The first volume to end on a cliffhanger, and not inconsequently the first volume I wasn't more than pleased with.
Read
June 15, 2019The fourth volume of the ongoing Back to the Future series is now available in stores, and begins an intriguing tale that goes back to one small throwaway line in the first film, but adds more depth to the Back to the Future universe, and the McFly family.
During the events of the first Back to the Future film the audience learnt that Lorraine McFly’s younger brother Joey had had his parole denied. Other than this, we knew nothing about who Joey is, why he was in prison, or how long his sentence was. Hard Time looks to address this, making the release of Joey the main focus for much of the book.
Whilst the usual family drama of having a member released from prison after close to fourteen years would provide enough entertainment to fill a book in itself (the interpersonal drama and family dynamic between Lorraine and her siblings and how they react to Joey’s return is varied and engaging) things become more interesting when Doc Brown tells Marty to avoid Joey at all costs. This kicks off an investigation into why Joey went to prison in the first place, and leads to Professor Irving taking Marty back to 1972 in order to view events themselves. As is typical for a Back to the Future adventure, the two of them inadvertently become embroiled in past events when the DeLorean disappears.
With Professor Irving finding himself meeting a younger, mustachioed Doc Brown, Marty accidentally gets himself involved in Joey’s criminal activity, which involves Biff Tannen. The volume gives us a great beginning to this adventure, and explores how big an impact the imprisonment of Joey had on his family. Whilst there is still a great deal of this particular story left to tell, what we get is solid enough to stand on its own as a good look into the McFly family dynamic, and ends with a possibly dangerous moment as Marty comes face to face with a younger Biff, who may recognise him as Calvin Klein from Marty’s previous journey to 1955.
With just what happens to lead to Joey going to prison still yet to be resolved, and the possibility that he may return to a life of crime in the present (1985) it will be interesting to see what (if any) impact Marty and Irving’s presence in the past has. In addition to this three part set up, we also get a stand alone adventure that focuses on Doc Brown and his son, Verne. When Doc Brown forgets his anniversary he jumps into the DeLorean in order to travel to the future to get a present for Clara, as well as picking up some pieces for his time train.
Unfortunately, Verne has stowed away in the time machine, and ends up wandering off on Halloween 2017, where he gets a sack full of candy, and ends up being used by a gang in order to rob a shop. Thanks to his cowboy skills, and having grown up hearing about his fathers adventures, he manages to thwart the robbery and becomes a hero. Whilst this little adventure doesn’t add much to the overall story, it does give us an insight into Doc Brown’s life back in 1893, and shows us a little more of his family, seen only briefly at the end of the third film.
Back to the Future: Hard Time is a fun book that sets up for even bigger misadventures through time in the upcoming fifth volume. Whilst the fact that the story is not resolved in this book, and that it ends on a cliffhanger, may upset some readers, there’s still plenty here to keep people entertained and engaged.
During the events of the first Back to the Future film the audience learnt that Lorraine McFly’s younger brother Joey had had his parole denied. Other than this, we knew nothing about who Joey is, why he was in prison, or how long his sentence was. Hard Time looks to address this, making the release of Joey the main focus for much of the book.
Whilst the usual family drama of having a member released from prison after close to fourteen years would provide enough entertainment to fill a book in itself (the interpersonal drama and family dynamic between Lorraine and her siblings and how they react to Joey’s return is varied and engaging) things become more interesting when Doc Brown tells Marty to avoid Joey at all costs. This kicks off an investigation into why Joey went to prison in the first place, and leads to Professor Irving taking Marty back to 1972 in order to view events themselves. As is typical for a Back to the Future adventure, the two of them inadvertently become embroiled in past events when the DeLorean disappears.
With Professor Irving finding himself meeting a younger, mustachioed Doc Brown, Marty accidentally gets himself involved in Joey’s criminal activity, which involves Biff Tannen. The volume gives us a great beginning to this adventure, and explores how big an impact the imprisonment of Joey had on his family. Whilst there is still a great deal of this particular story left to tell, what we get is solid enough to stand on its own as a good look into the McFly family dynamic, and ends with a possibly dangerous moment as Marty comes face to face with a younger Biff, who may recognise him as Calvin Klein from Marty’s previous journey to 1955.
With just what happens to lead to Joey going to prison still yet to be resolved, and the possibility that he may return to a life of crime in the present (1985) it will be interesting to see what (if any) impact Marty and Irving’s presence in the past has. In addition to this three part set up, we also get a stand alone adventure that focuses on Doc Brown and his son, Verne. When Doc Brown forgets his anniversary he jumps into the DeLorean in order to travel to the future to get a present for Clara, as well as picking up some pieces for his time train.
Unfortunately, Verne has stowed away in the time machine, and ends up wandering off on Halloween 2017, where he gets a sack full of candy, and ends up being used by a gang in order to rob a shop. Thanks to his cowboy skills, and having grown up hearing about his fathers adventures, he manages to thwart the robbery and becomes a hero. Whilst this little adventure doesn’t add much to the overall story, it does give us an insight into Doc Brown’s life back in 1893, and shows us a little more of his family, seen only briefly at the end of the third film.
Back to the Future: Hard Time is a fun book that sets up for even bigger misadventures through time in the upcoming fifth volume. Whilst the fact that the story is not resolved in this book, and that it ends on a cliffhanger, may upset some readers, there’s still plenty here to keep people entertained and engaged.
November 17, 2025
Ignore the covers, this story isn’t about Marty or Doc ending up in jail. It’s actually centered on Uncle Joey, the guy who was just a baby in the first movie and who we only ever heard about as.
The comic finally shows what happened to him, and it’s a lot more grounded and human than most Back to the Future side-stories.
The setup is simple: Marty and Professor Irving take the time machine back to 1977 to witness the moment that doomed Joey to prison.
The comic also digs into the aftermath. Once Joey is released in the present, his welcome is… rough. Most of the family doesn’t want him there. They’re uncomfortable, judgmental, basically treating him like a walking embarrassment. The only one genuinely happy to see him is Lorraine, who’s always had that big, soft heart.
It’s mostly the introduction or halfway point of the story to the final volume.
The comic finally shows what happened to him, and it’s a lot more grounded and human than most Back to the Future side-stories.
The setup is simple: Marty and Professor Irving take the time machine back to 1977 to witness the moment that doomed Joey to prison.
The comic also digs into the aftermath. Once Joey is released in the present, his welcome is… rough. Most of the family doesn’t want him there. They’re uncomfortable, judgmental, basically treating him like a walking embarrassment. The only one genuinely happy to see him is Lorraine, who’s always had that big, soft heart.
It’s mostly the introduction or halfway point of the story to the final volume.
November 10, 2024
The overall story is a lot more interesting this time around. But what's up with the bait cover?
This should also really be in the same volume as 5. The quality control seems to have dropped since the third one as well, as a bunch of panels have typos or messed-up eyes.
Overall you can tell they're trying to do a Marvel-style content mill where every little detail gets a story behind it. Meh.
This should also really be in the same volume as 5. The quality control seems to have dropped since the third one as well, as a bunch of panels have typos or messed-up eyes.
Overall you can tell they're trying to do a Marvel-style content mill where every little detail gets a story behind it. Meh.
May 10, 2020
The 70s were a mistake, the ugly art doubly so. ..... 1972 Doc ... ok that's a thing that happened too
The book has the nerve to end on a cliffhanger, no less!!
The opening story was a one-shot, which was a lil bit funny. Just the tiniest bit
Also there's a hilarious typo on one of the dates. Just sayin'
The book has the nerve to end on a cliffhanger, no less!!
The opening story was a one-shot, which was a lil bit funny. Just the tiniest bit
Also there's a hilarious typo on one of the dates. Just sayin'
November 21, 2025
Solid 4. Fun story that I look forward to seeing the conclusion of in the next one. A bit more focused on Marty and Professor Irving than Doc and Marty, and that’s where it struggles more. Although Prof Irving is a fun addition to the lore, it’s always gonna be Doc and Marty together that create the best stories and have the most fun dynamic.
February 4, 2020
A pesar de la introducción de nuevos personajes (que expanden el universo de BTTF) el tomo anda bien, la trama es muy fluida y el arco de la historia te deja empapado de incertidumbre e intriga.
Una entretenida aventura !!
Una entretenida aventura !!
May 4, 2019
Me ha encantado como siempre, aunque deja un final muy abierto
August 30, 2019
Further tarnishing of the BACK TO THE FUTURE legacy...
December 11, 2019
En este cómic se empieza a contar una historia que nunca se supo en las películas: ¿Qué hizo el tío Joey para acabar en la cárcel?
Es muy interesante y te deja con ganas de leer el siguiente.
Es muy interesante y te deja con ganas de leer el siguiente.
July 18, 2020
La fórmula empieza a ser muy repetitiva. El único cambio, emplear a Irving como acompañante de Marty, no funciona.
October 15, 2020
3,5 stars rounded up to 4. I need to see more Doc Brown but still an enjoyable read.
June 17, 2025
2.5 stars
December 27, 2017
Absolutely loving this series. Some stories aren't always perfect, but all have been enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews