A just-about-passable continuation of the storyline of the television series Jericho, which was cancelled back in 2008 and has continued with two short comic books since. Unfortunately, the comic book is not as suitable a medium for the story as television was. The limitations of the comic book form means there is a lack of depth and, more importantly, a lack of space to ensure nuance in the characters' emotions and dialogue. It is also far too short: just as you're getting into it, it's over.

I should also point out that the quality of the illustrations - one of the main positives about the 'Season 3' comic - have declined considerably. They are much less photorealistic; it's almost as if they lost the rights to use the actors' faces and tried to stay as accurate as possible without making themselves liable to be sued. The result is, regrettably, a more cartoonish look, and sometimes the faces of the same characters are warped ridiculously from frame to frame. The picture of Jake and Hawkins on the front cover is not representative of what you get within.

I do like returning to the town of Jericho, however briefly, and I did enjoy this volume. But the limitations of the comic book medium ensure it is a pale imitation of a really interesting TV series, and one that just about achieves the minimum level of adequacy. ( )

If I were to make a list of the TV shows I think were ended too soon, Jericho would definitely be in the top ten. This post-apocalyptic show lasted for only two seasons, 2006 – 2008, before being cancelled for lack of an audience. However, those fans it had were loyal and it has become a cult classic. To satisfy fans, it’s been turned into a series of graphic novels and continues the story from where the show left off.

Jericho Season 4 takes up where Jericho 3 left off. If you haven’t read it, there is enough hints here to let you catch up. Jake and Hawkins are back in Jericho and John Smith has become Jake’s responsibility. Most people think Smith is an important member of the resistance but Jake and Hawkins know who he really is and what he is capable of and it their job to ensure he doesn't follow through with his plans.

Like the series, there’s plenty of action but there is also the closeness of family and community that made the original series so watchable. Beside the ever-present danger there is always a sense of hope and moving forward together, something often lacking in other post-apocalyptic tales. Beautifully illustrated by Andrew Currie and written by Currie and Kalinda Vazquez and overseen by the original writing staff of the series, Jericho Season 4 is a real page-turner. This is definitely one for fans of the original series or fans of apocalyptic tales in general. ( )

3.75 Stars
I haven't read a lot of graphic novels before this one, but if you love the TV show Jericho like I do, then you should definitely check this book out. I was pleasantly surprised. The illustrations are great and the plot is a continuation of the two TV seasons as well as one previous graphic novel. Nice to see the cult phenomenon in a different medium.

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