Dr. Terminal tries to eat a city in Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion No. 7

“That’s All There Is. There Isn’t Any More.”

As action packed and exciting as this chapter is, it can’t help but feel abrupt. Despite being seven issues long, it feels like it’s ended just as it got started. It’s a byproduct of the wild plotting that Way and Ba go on. Ideas flow freely and not all of it is supposed to tie together. It’s more about crazy imagination and poignant emotions more than a strict narrative. That said, this finale feels less like an ending and more like running out of pages and waiting until next year.

Image by Dark Horse Comics

Gabriel Ba and colorist Nick Filardi, as always, craft a wholly original work of art. The weird designs all come one after the other, and the action allows the pair to cut loose. There are some big and bold action panels in the Jack Kirby tradition when Spaceboy takes down Terminal, or when Terminal shoots down the Minerva. The confrontation between Rumor and the ogress is also a visual highlight. The “bird academy” all have interesting designs, with the Doom Patrol reference likely being intentional. Way wrote Doom Patrol from 2016-2018.

Image by Dark Horse Comics

Even the back of the front cover is a treat, depicting radio calls between cops responding to the villain attack. As revealed by editor Scott Allie, Umbrella Academy seems set for an annual schedule, with the next installment due in 2020. Scheduling the comics loosely around the Netflix show’s episodes will help with synergy, as well as make sure Ba is able to handle the load. Absolutely no one else could draw it. While this finale is a bit sloppy and abrupt, it is still a cracking good time, and among the strangest comics most readers will have the pleasure of tearing into.