This is mechs vs giant monsters in a way we haven’t seen before.
Dawnrunner #4, written by Ram V with art by Evan Cagle, colors by Francesco Segala, color flats by Gloria Martinelli, and letters by Aditya Bidikar, takes the fight between the Iron Kings and the Tetza to another level. The first two issues set the stage and tone for the story to come, and the third issue dove deeper into the relationship between Anita Marr and her new Iron King – Dawnrunner – and the consciousness inside it. This fourth issue blows the doors open on where the series can go.
If you want a brief, spoiler-free synopsis: This book rules. Buy it, read it, take a moment to absorb what you just read, and then read it again.
Spoiler Warning: I’ll be diving into overall story spoilers (the story up to this point) as well as the events that happen in this issue.
The last issue saw Anita Marr and Dawnrunner reaching a new level of synchronization, felling Tetza left and right. The issue ended with the arrival of a new, ludicrously scary-looking Tetza. Dawnrunner #4 picks up forty-two hours later, during a non-stop battle with the new Tetza, now named “Prime.” We see broken Iron Kings littering the battlefield, carnage, and destruction everywhere, as the title page reveals a severely damaged Dawnrunner facing down Prime.
It lingers on questions of experience, consciousness, and time itself.
I’m going to start with the art this time. Cagle continues to be unreal. Visually, this is a genuinely breathtaking book. The action is momentous and propulsive. Dawnrunner’s scale is unmatched. There is an unbelievable level of detail present on each page. From the designs of the Tetza and Iron Kings to the expressions on the characters’ faces, it’s all rendered with intense care. There’s also a visual cue used to show a transition from the present-day to the past (more on that story later) that fits the tone of the book perfectly and is visually striking in its own right.
Segala and Martinelli take over coloring and don’t miss a beat. If you weren’t aware that the book had switched colorists, you would be incredibly hard-pressed to tell the difference. They do an excellent job maintaining the visual consistency of the book and injecting colors that add another layer of vibrancy to the art. There’s a double-page spread near the end of this issue that is an all-timer, and the colors are a pivotal part of its narrative significance. This coloring team, matched with Cagle’s art, creates a truly immersive world for readers to soak in.
Dawnrunner #4 is action and revelation. The issue follows the fight between Anita/Dawnrunner vs Prime, and things look especially dire for Anita. Early on, Andro cuts the video feeds broadcasting the battle to the world. The feeds are meant to inspire hope, but Andro is worried that Anita is about to die in this fight. The stakes are clearly high, and the odds are not in Anita’s favor.
The other main thread in this issue follows the conscious connection between Anita and Ichi – the consciousness seemingly contained within Dawnrunner – as they relive his past. This part of the book is particularly interesting. The connection between Anita and Ichi is relatively liminal: neither party is entirely sure what’s happening. Anita appears to be experiencing Ichi’s past with him, and the two are telepathically communicating along the way.
It presents a lot of questions but not a lot of answers. It lingers on questions of experience, consciousness, and time itself. At the core of their interactions is the need to do what they can to save who and what they can. It’s a poignant and important message that rings true in their actions.
Both threads come together at the end of the issue for a revelation that changes the trajectory of the series. In the conscious-projected past, Anita brings a heartbreaking reveal to Ichi that triggers an emotional – and seemingly spiritual and biological transformation – in Anita herself. As the issue comes to a close and a rescue team is sent to retrieve Anita from her pod inside Dawnrunner, they find no one inside. It appears Anita has fused entirely with Dawnrunner, evolving into something new. The issue closes with the mech getting back up for battle, screeching at the Prime Tetza.
It’s not perfect, but it might as well be. Geek Network gives Dawnrunner #4 an EPIC 9/10!
This change brings a handful of fresh questions to lay on top of the already existing pile. It’ll be fascinating to see how Anita, as a character, progresses from here and what this transformation means for her. The implications in consciousness and communication are staggering and leave the creative team with an immense array of storytelling possibilities going forward. With Dawnrunner #4, the entire creative team delivers yet another stellar issue that makes this series one of the best on stands.
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