Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay Points, the complimentary comic book blog to the ODPH podcast. On this edition, we’re checking out the conclusion of .Self from COMIXOLOGY ORIGINALS. .Self #5 by Chris Sebela, Cara McGee, Rebecca Nasty, Aditya Bidkar & Sara Harding has been quite the journey. A case of identity thief has spiraled into a chaotic journey of self discovery. What happens when you everything you know about you comes back to try replacing you? Is this what you want your legacy to be when you’re gone? Now at the conclusion, let's see how this story ends, shall we?
.Self #5 - On Sale March 8th
Creative: Chris Sebela, Cara McGee, Rebecca Nasty, Aditya Bidkar & Sara Harding
Photo Credit: Comixology Originals
*** POTENTIAL SPOILER WARNING***
The story centers around a character named Nat Winters. Nat leads a “normal” life until her identity is stolen from her Postscripts account. Postscripts is a concept where you can upload yourself after you pass. & those essences are put into a new body. Clones have never been a good thing, no matter how noble the idea behind them. This point hits readers right on the face when they find out Nat’s account has been compromised. From there, She's accused of things she didn't do and have many people looking for her. Things have now built to a point where all bets are off for this issue.
This issue has Nat going right to the heart of the matter. Postscripts has sent “Quality Assurance” representatives to provide “Customer Service” to Nat & her “family” of clones. When Nat finds the person behind it, it’s a very interesting moment. This whole comic has been based on one’s inner thoughts of themselves and could something be better? The conversation that unfolds brings that right to the forefront. The resolution to this is unique and gives a good finish to this story. Readers that have been here from the start should be very satisfied on how this concluded.
Sebala does a solid job balancing all these versions of Nat. It's not easy to have all these identities stand out but it's pulled off well with this book. Balancing out the hovering Postscripts throws a nice curve into the mix. The conversation with Nat & “the Archenemy” in issue #5 really brings up many of the themes of this series. It’s easily the strongest part of this issue. The epilogue is fitting for the tone and feel of this story.
McGee presents reader with a unique view of Nat's world. For as crazy as things have gotten, there are moments where the story lightens up a bit. This is clearly a reflection on Nat finally getting something new into her ordinary routine. The conversation and following actions with Nat & her enemy are very strong work in issue #5. The pre-conversation reflecting panels are excellent as well.
Overall, .Self is an interesting read with a stand-out spin on the normal “missing identity” story. It has a fitting end to the story. The creative team has kept readers guessing at what's going on for the majority of the tale being told her & close out with a proper conclusion.. If you're looking for something out of the norm from your comics, .Self is definitely worth checking out.
Hit me up on Twitter & let me know what you thought of .Self #5 and the story in general. As always, thanks for reading.