Convergence #4 Review

writer: Jeff King / artist: Stephen Segovia / DC Comics While I can’t say I liked Convergence #4, I can’t say I disliked it either. It just sort of exists, with the plot catching my attention a few sentences at a time, only to lose it with its frenetic scene changes and splash pages. Given the series’ rough start though, Convergence #4 is a step in the right direction by comparison. As the event reaches its halfway point, this one has a faster pace than issues prior. The story is focused on Telos, a being created by Brianiac who is new to the whole self-realization thing and still follows his creator unwaveringly. He has a conversation with Grayson that is the anchor for this issue, debating the means and goals of what is doing, and essentially serves as a tool to catch up readers who likely slept through the first few Convergence titles. The crux of his message – in short, “only the strong survive” – feels undermined by him using his powers to fix Grayson’s shattered spine, but maybe that’s meant to display his own progress towards becoming a sentient being. It’s a beautiful spring day and I want to enjoy this comic, so yeah, let’s offer that benefit of the doubt. That way, Grayson and Telos’ narration of the book’s events can continue to be my favorite part of an otherwise non-compelling story arc.

Among the guidelines for impactful storytelling, there’s one that always stuck with over the years specifically regarding sequential art: splash pages look great, but sequential…