This Ends Tonight #3 – Devastation in Las Vegas

The Carnage reached its peak on This Ends Tonight #3 by Gerry Duggan, Kelvin Mao, Robert Windom, Jae Lee, June Chung & Joe Sabino.

THE STORY SO FAR:

If you were to draw a chronological timeline of the events, you would have to start on issue #2. Kristen, Fiona, Melanie, Vanessa were throwing a bachelorette party in Las Vegas for Beth. Unbeknownst to Beth, numerous assassins were coming after her throughout the night.

Kristen and the others did their best to protect her. They managed to keep Beth alive through public shoot outs, car chases and even an exploiting aquarium. Unfortunately, they were taken out by a flight of helicopters via an aerial assault. Just as Beth was marching down the aisle for her wedding. 

THAT SAME NIGHT

Anna brought her sister Katie to Las Vegas for her birthday. However, the festivities were cut short. Anna realized they were being targeted. So, they went on the run from the random assailants and assassins. Katie was supposed to learn the family secret after Beth’s wedding.

Since tomorrow was not promised, Anna changed her mind. Katie learned the truth about her family while fighting their way out of the mayhem in Las Vegas. As you can imagine, revealing ancient secrets during sword fights and shoot outs can be confusing for anyone. But it wasn’t until they were intercepted by Anna’s long lost twin sister that Katie began to fully grasp the gravity of the situation.

HOW THE WAR ENDED

Exchanging children as part of a peace treaty is often referred to as a hostage exchange or, more broadly, as a child welfare measure or humanitarian gesture within the context of ending a conflict, although specific terms can vary.

This practice, which involves the temporary relocation of children for political reasons or to secure peace. This is how the houses came to a peace treaty centuries ago. The two families at war realized it was futile to continue fighting. So they forged a treaty by exchanging children. Specifically, each family’s second born.

ANNA & LINNEA: CHILDREN OF WAR

One of the parties in the treaty decided to exchange one of their twin daughters. Since Anna was the first born she was spared. However, Linnea, the second born twin daughter, was offered in the exchange. In return, Katie and Anna grew up together as sisters. With Katie growing up in the dark. While Anna was always privy to the history of their family. However, Anna and Linnea’s fates were destined to clash. Presumably, Linnea grew up in a family that kept the old ways and beliefs.

LA LUNE & ÉTINCELLE

According to Anna, when Énticelle left, the houses at war were left trapped in this world. After battling each other for a time, they realized the need to coexist. Hence why they agreed to the peace treaty. Unfortunately, Linnea’s new family didn’t move past their old ways. Thus, Linnea’s actions so far in this story. Étincelle has returned and Linnea took that as a sign. For this reason she’s been coming out after Anna, Katie and the others since issue #1. With the help of The Fixer, Lianne managed to put out hits after Anna’s family. This is how it all ended, tonight. With the elimination of an entire family.

*SPOILERS FOR ISSUE #3* 

FROM SOLICITATION:

“Comic books and Las Vegas will never be the same. The climax of sex, violence, and action rolls off a printer and punches you right in the face. This one has it all, non-stop action, comedy and tragedy that will give you whip lash — and it was all lovingly drawn by JAE LEE. Don’t miss out on the miniseries wrap up. There are infinite ways to die in this comic, and JAE LEE drew them all!”

CLAIRE, RACHEL & THE FIXER

Finally, the last players for the night made their entrance. Claire and Rachel were also partying in Las Vegas. They were under Lianne’s care as part of a deal previously arranged with The Fixer. Unfortunately, the chaos found its way to Claire and Rachel. When Katie and Lianne came crashing down through the glass ceiling. While Lianne was busy taking care of her twin sister, Claire was in contact with the Fixer. Who just so happens to be her father. Inevitably the night found its conclusion with as much gore, action, slashing and shooting as you can fathom. 

HOW ABOUT THE ART?

Jae Lee’s creativity knows no boundaries. When it comes to depicting the many ways the human anatomy can be stabbed, shot, hooked, slashed or shot Jae Lee can do it all. And in a myriad of compelling ways, too. 

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

My hat goes off to this creative team. They deserve a standing ovation. If somebody told me they could pull off the combination of all imaginable tropes in a Las Vegas story together, I would’ve squinted my eyes somewhat skeptical. But this proves that talent, creativity and teamwork can meet a challenge head on and conquer it. My only issue with ‘This ends tonight’ is that it is over. I am starting a petition for vol.2, who’s signing it with me?

LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS ENDS TONIGHT IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW: