The Terrifics, Vol. 3: The God Game

The Terrifics (collected editions) #3

by Gene Luen Yang, Stephen Segovia (Illustrator), Protobúnker (Colorist)

Eisner-Award winner Gene Luen Yang continues the tales of The Terrifics in this epic collection! What was supposed to be a program to help train The Terrifics has turned into a TRAP?! After the program begins to gain sentience and threatens to take over the world, The Terrifics will have to face off against enemies of biblical proportions in order to escape and protect the outside world! Collects Issues 15-18 and Annual 1!

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics, Science Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2020

About the author

Gene Luen Yang writes, and sometimes draws, comic books and graphic novels. As the Library of Congress’ fifth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, he advocates for the importance of reading, especially reading diversely. American Born Chinese, his first graphic novel from First Second Books, was a National Book Award finalist, as well as the winner of the Printz Award and an Eisner Award. His two-volume graphic novel Boxers & Saints won the L.A. Times Book Prize and was a National Book Award Finalist. His other works include Secret Coders (with Mike Holmes), The Shadow Hero (with Sonny Liew), Superman from DC Comics (with various artists), and the Avatar: The Last Airbender series from Dark Horse Comics (with Gurihiru). In 2016, he was named a MacArthur Foundation Fellow. His most recent books are Dragon Hoops from First Second Books and Superman Smashes the Klan from DC Comics.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gene Luen Yang takes over story duties from Jeff Lemire with Stephen Segovia drawing the main arc. The story is fine if uninteresting. How many stories can be told with Simon Stagg unleashing an out of control experiment upon the world? It's like a paint by numbers in this title. The team wrestles with a Danger Room scenario that has grown sentient. It's all fine but it's also none too exciting.

The most interesting thing in this collection was a backup story from Mark Russell and Evan Shaner where Java reflects back on his history before Stagg defrosted him. It's an interesting look at Neanderthals being replaced by humans.

[Diz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume is a mixed bag. The main story has the Terrifics fighting in a virtual simulation against a power mad AI. This story is a bit boring. Towards the end of the volume, there is a story that involves a body snatching experiment that is a lot more interesting. However, the gem of the volume is a short story that shows the backstory of Java. It really fleshes out the character for those who are unfamiliar with him, and it makes clear what his motivation is.

[Bill Riggs · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book doesn’t have the spark it did with Lemire writing. It doesn’t seem as fun or interesting. Maybe it will pick up with the next volume- I’ll give it a chance since I do like the characters.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeff Lemire steps away from the team he brought together, and Gene Luen Yang steps in to take the Terrifics into the God Game!

The four issues of the main series that we get here are trippy as hell, as the Terrifics get into a philosophical battle with a newly sentient artificial intelligence over whether the human race gets to live or die. Yang balances the sci-fi insanity with the philosophical discussions pretty well, and doesn't forget to throw in some superheroics as well. He doesn't throw out anything that Lemire has done so far, instead using it to inform the team going forward. The Terrifics have always been a Fantastic Four analogy, and this is a story right out of the Stan Lee heyday.

Also included is the Terrifics Annual, three stories with varying degrees of success. The second will inform upcoming stories, while the first loops back around to the beginning of Lemire's run to explain a hanging plot thread, and the first is just a basic Terrifics story. A mixed bag, but fun and mostly relevant, unlike most annuals.

Stephen Segovia pencils the main series, and I'm glad to report that his problems with faces that plagued a lot of his earlier work that I'm familiar with (mostly at Marvel) is well and truly over. He's a very solid artist these days. The annual is split between Joe Bennett, José Luis, and Evan Shaner, who have all shown up in the main series at different times, I believe, so you know what you're getting.

The Terrifics' third outing is a success, as the new creative team beds in nicely with exactly the kind of story you've come to expect from the series, and an annual that rounds everything out nicely.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A blast. The Terrifics take on the 12 plagues. It got weird but was a fun read that I didn’t tear through. The only downside is it looks like the next trade is going to be part of that remarkably shitty Dark Knights Metal.

[GooglyEye Superman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gene Luen Yang is a notch better than other writers in sci-fi writing and escalation. Ofc love the Mark Russel's story about Java. Ofc he would choose to write about a Neanderthal.

[Brendan · Rating 4 out of 5]

🅡🅔🅥🅘🅔🅦

The Terrifics: The God Game
2019
Graphic Novel
Rating: 4/5

The Terrifics: The God Game continues the exhilarating adventures of one of DC’s most underrated superhero teams, delivering a story packed with action, heart, and mind-bending sci-fi concepts. Writer Gene Luen Yang takes the reins in this volume, infusing the series with his signature storytelling style, blending fast-paced adventure with deep character moments.

The story dives into the team’s struggle against a powerful artificial intelligence, which offers god-like powers but at a terrible cost. The Terrifics must confront the ethical dilemmas of absolute power while battling threats that challenge their teamwork and trust. Yang does an excellent job of balancing character development with high-stakes action, making each member of the team feel vital and well-defined.

What makes this book so compelling is how it explores themes of responsibility, and the dangers of unchecked power, while maintaining the lighthearted and adventurous spirit that makes this series so much fun. It’s a rewarding narrative of classic team dynamics, clever storytelling, and thrilling superhero action.

The book is a fantastic continuation of the series, proving that this unconventional team has a well-deserved place in the DC Universe. It’s a sci-fi superhero story with heart and humour. The artwork, provided by a team of talented artists, is incredibly dynamic and visually striking, complementing the book’s wild sci-fi elements. There’s cosmic battles to intimate character moments, the illustrations bring a vibrant energy.

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[Rocky Sunico · Rating 4 out of 5]

So we no longer have the benefit of Tom Strong to bolster this comic and instead, the Terrifics have to stand on their own. And maybe it's not all that bad.

The last book ended with Mr. Terrific better appreciating that perhaps he needs to open up again and create a family unit of his own - on the surface, this is his new team, The Terrifics. but beyond that, there's a chance it may also involve an alternate reality version of his dead wife who has become the super scientist instead.

The actual focus of the story felt a little silly at first but then tried to develop into something a bit more profound or at least more novel. It's a definite effort to make this out to be more of a science-focused book down to the sort of challenges they'll face. And maybe that also feels like a fun sort of echo of the sort of stories Tom Strong had, but not quite as pulpy.

I have no idea how they'll reconcile this team with the rest of the DC Universe, but for now, it seems they're content to have their own adventures in their side of the universe or even the multiverse. They're sort of like Marvel's Ultimates (the super-science team and not the alternate Avengers) but aren't all smart. The book is growing on me, but it's not quite a home run just yet.

[Rach · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I’ve said, I’m mainly reading this to see the quips between teammates at this point. Once again I live for Rex and Eel.

I did get very quickly underwhelmed by how the relationship of Mr. and Ms. Terrific was utilized because it didn’t feel very fleshed out. Them fighting together is badass, them constantly playing the “comparison game” got very old. I liked the eventual understanding that they are not the same as their counterparts, but still care for each other deeply. Just wish that revelation had come sooner!

Stagg is such a literally comical villain it sometimes makes it hard to take it all seriously. He’s the embodiment of the harms capitalism brings by pushing constantly ahead without pausing to double check for consequences. The number of his things that could have resulted in the death of even his own daughter without the Terrifics there? Astounding. This man cares for nothing but money.

Makes for a good (if campy) villain though.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this series is definitely best when it remembers to be fun first and philosophical second, this was still a solid graphic novel. It never got too far into progress vs. belief to take away the enjoyment, but it tiptoed close to it. There's nothing wrong with giving characters and story depth... but this is still a team with Plastic Man on it. Fans are showing up here for fun, and this still definitely delivered that, but not quite as much as the previous volumes. I'm definitely curious what's in store next for this oddball team. Go, Terrifics, go!

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still finding this series entertaining and charming, and there's intriguing character development here in this storyline -- particularly the discovery that there's a guilt-ridden, religious side to Plastic Man, which makes him an even more complicated character. The core story here doesn't make a lot of sense, and ends in an odd way; much more interesting is the Annual issue, which presents much more personal sides of most of the main and supporting characters, AND explains the odd set-up of the first volume in flashbacks.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not even trying to parody the fantastic four good. There is a silver being riding a silver object the comes to announce the coming of a world ending god. I am very worried about the 2025 Superman showing Mr. Terrific as he is a knock off Mr Fantastic without any real powers. Still waiting for the ghost lady to do ANYTHING to contribute. If your going to rip off the other company at least have fun with the concept. This was a struggle to finish. Glad there is only one more volume.

[Sean O · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the smartest guy on earth, Mr. Terrific does a pretty bad job at figuring out how to stop all these dastardly plots: just sit on Sapphire Stagg’s father.

What. A. Dick.

On the other hand, I learned the difference between a sentient species and a sapient species, so that’s cool.

Despite the cardboard villain, this is still a fun series.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing interesting here. Stagg uses tech he is not supposed to have, creates threat, Terrifics have to deal with it… rinse and repeat. Only the “deal with it” part was less than ideal. This book definitely took a turn for the worse. If I were reading individual issues, I certainly would have quit during this part.

[Robby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, this title gets a full-time writer that can give it the attention it deserves. Yang is not afraid to get on board with the weird, giving us a spin on the Galactus story that incorporates both the Bible and modern-day concerns about AI. The only downside is the annual, which seems to occur at some point during the previous 12 issues despite being last in this volume.

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Terrifics version of the Coming of Galactus. It was pretty good. Some of the science talk I didn't understand but that's fine.
Nice art, just not the most compelling story. Maybe an issue too long.

I don't think I'm getting the compendium of this series.

[Julián "Mystletain" Rodríguez]

He acabado dejándolo a la mitad porque se me estaba haciendo soporífero. Siguen las aventuras y homenajes a los 4f pero sin mucho que aportar respecto a los anteriores volumenes, que resultan mas entretenidos en comparacion

[Kai Charles(Fiction State Of Mind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The group struggles to become a team while battling an interstellar threat

[Scotty Jinks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will the Terrifics survive the ten plagues of Egypt?

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another excellent episode in this graphic novel series. It was action-packed and full of suspense! I highly recommend it if you're looking for an exciting tale of heroes.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gene Yang's run begins with this volume. It's a good start. It's fun and lighthearted, with some interesting underlying ideas. The art is pretty good, and fits the story well.

[Ming · Rating 2 out of 5]

A better read than the previous volumes.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

I still have no idea why this series exists. Jeff Lemire is no longer attached and its less quirky but manages to get worse. The was a slog to get through. The art was good but this book isn't.

[Will Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, this was fun enough, but nothing new with a messed up Stagg experiment tormenting our heroes.

[Steven W · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just too corny and ridiculous for me.

[Robert Gilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great adventure stories

This series is a lot of fun. I found the annual stories interesting and enlightening. The Java story was very informative.

[The Fizza · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

[Siddharth Yadav · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needed a better villain

I like Stagg but there is no need for him to be a villain for each story arc. Quality over Quantity is much needed.

[Jason Rico · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Ronan The Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big improvement on the last volume, Gene Luen Yang takes over and injects some life into the series. Yang actually gets creative with things here and develops a whole arc based on overdeveloped A.I. that can create realistic hard-light programs which ends up basically putting our team inside a video game. I liked that there were some real original ideas implemented throughout (ex: Plastic Man popping out lil Plastic Minions and being deflated as a result). The thing that holds this series back consistently though, is the hokey dialogue. It makes it feel like the team doesn’t have any real connection, it’s just what the editors decided to do, so it feels manufactured. It also hinders character development when something serious happens, but I can’t take it seriously because the dialogue is so corny (the whole thing with Plastic Man’s son for example). But I will say Mr. Terrific is more interesting here, even if his voice doesn’t sound quite right. Plastic Man is still probably the best part about the book.

Segovia’s art fits really well here and actually feels the most “like” this book I think. There’s a lot more to like in this volume, though I don’t know how it’d read on its own, and I’m mainly continuing because I’ve already read this far. But there are fun ideas and nice art, so I’d recommend if you’re in for more even after Vol. 2.