Sheltered in its first special release makes me feel ecstatic about Comixology Unlimited. I can find series and just pay a small monthly subscription fee to read through them. During a promotion there were two series that were brought forth for a limited time offer before going into dormancy. One of them was Red Sonja by Gail Simone Vols. 1-3, the other was the entire story of Image series Sheltered. Red Sonja displays Gail Simone’s writing process; Sheltered meanwhile had me going until it’s ending flipped the bird.
Welcome to What Went Wrong to discuss how a good series become such a train wreck. When making a good series it’s important to keep the ball rolling; but also make sure the ending wraps up everything nicely and not deliver shock factor for the sake of it. Marvel and DC have been doing stuff like that with their crossover events for quite a while.
Sheltered Could’ve Competed with Sonja
Sheltered is about a group of kids who live on an off-the-grid site with their families. The kids have all been raised to gather survival supplies and build bunkers for end of the world scenarios. A few of the kids however discover that a Yellowstone super-volcano may erupt Mt. Vesuvius style. With not enough supplies; the kids led by the charismatic Lucas kill all of the adults to survive a coming apocalypse. Newcomer Victoria however, after witnessing her father’s brutal murder and some of Lucas’ methods tries to escape and get help. Naturally she comes into clashes with the other kids who wholeheartedly believe in their cause. Not to mention the kid’s rash choices lead to severe consequences; including a last minute delivery that ends up with the authorities getting involved. A war eventually breaks out with the kids save for Victoria either dead or in jail.
Just this would’ve been a good ending especially with the reactions after the whole ordeal. However, true to the “Pre-Apocalypse Tale” sub-heading in the last issue; the news shows the super-volcano about to erupt. To be frank it’s abrupt; as if something came from the left field. Worse, it takes away all of the struggles and meaning.
The Appeal of Sheltered
It’s a shame really; Sheltered is very much a throwback to Lord of the Flies; a best selling book about kids trying to survive in an isolated space with Sheltered taking a more modern approach. News, old and recent, like to make stories about the Yellowstone Caldera; the real life super-volcano that serves as Sheltered‘s background threat. Some people say that the volcano is dying while others say that it is a disaster just waiting to happen. Looking back, this makes the perfect setting for something like Sheltered.
Not to mention the kids aren’t trapped anywhere like the boys in Lord of the Flies are; they were born and raised to survive the apocalypse. This makes Victoria’s more laid back attitude feel like she is a genuine outsider; up until her dad is dead. Her shock and reactions make the whole ordeal feel absolutely tenuous.
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| Why is it the small guys who are the most aggressive? |
Survival from the Elements or Yourself
The need to survive and escape is a prevailing theme. Why Victoria and her dad are even in the so called “Safe Haven” never comes up. Seeing that since her mother is nowhere to be found; Victoria’s dad likely comes to Safe Haven to escape the loss of his wife and be part of the community.
Kurt the small, crass, and ever cussing member of the kid’s cult likely joins in to feel powerful; his parents split up over Safe Haven’s role. Yet he is a trigger happy anti-social miscreant who refuses to follow others or accept help. A lot of the other kids join the cult for several reasons; from living up to their parents expectations of surviving to the need to escape from the disasters that they create. Even the delivery man drive down there is a desperate attempt to help him and his family get by.
Lucas Did Nothing Wrong (Not!)
Lucas by far is the most extreme example of the characters seen in Sheltered. He is intelligent, far-sighted, and highly pragmatic. Like the other kids, Safe Haven lives up to its name for him; taking many things from his survivalist father to heart. Being the oldest of the kids and having known almost everyone in Safe Haven the longest; Lucas has a sense of responsibility for everyone there. His natural charm and wit made him an effective leader. Unfortunately, his lack of oversight and unwillingness to compromise leads to his downfall.
Lucas had to personally remove any obstacle that would prove a threat to his plans; including anyone who does not follow his rules for the cause. After being caught in a situation he couldn’t escape from; Lucas chooses not to take responsibility for his actions. Instead he blames the other kids for his plan falling apart. To that end, he commits suicide rather than face life in prison with a chance of the volcano erupting.
These actions make Lucas a most compelling character that the audience follows. In the story’s final chapter; girls at Victoria’s new home act like fans of his when they ask questions. But Victoria’s reaction to them reminds readers that Lucas is not someone to root for at all. Despite this, the volcano erupting at the end makes Lucas more like a tragic war hero. If ends aren’t a means of justifications, what is all this even for?
General Consensus
Reading the Goodreads.com reviews and readings; not everyone is a fan of Sheltered based on the cult-like behaviors of the kids. Speaking as a critic, the series is fine but is lacking in the above mentioned areas. The ending just seems to affirm the reader’s views on the comic; that it is just a needlessly cruel book about kids who had no idea what they are doing. Truth be told, that’s the point of the whole thing. The real problems comes from how this series has an identity crisis.
Build Up; Don’t Blow Up!
Brisson likely intended this to be a sociological story but missed the mark. What I mean by that is there are no physical indications of activity from the volcano from Safe Haven throughout the series; despite people claiming to feel tremors. If the magnitude is really that intense; the tremors would be felt by everyone in the area during the climatic showdown. Instead most of the focus goes to the characters’ psychological drive in the conflict.
If anything, a better way to have Sheltered end would be something like having the news say stuff like what is happening to the real life Yellowstone Caldera. With the coming disaster still possible a group who follow Lucas could have treated him as a martyr; all while others say that there is no threat by just flipping through channels. This would have given a real sense of anonymity all the while making sure nothing went to waste for either side of the argument.
But I’m not a professional comic book writer so the ink’s not dry. Thanks for coming, see you around.