Piper is dead, and Doctor Rose Osler enacts a final plan to defeat Gordian. Check out the thrilling conclusion of this miniseries in Crashing #5 by IDW Publishing!

CRASHING #5 (OF 5)

Writer: Matthew Klein
Artist: Morgan Beem
Colorist: Triona Farrell
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Editor: Heather Antos
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 11th, 2022 

Previously in Crashing: Doctor Rose Osler is a recovering drug addict who became an ER doctor. However, she was also treating the injuries of villain Gordian as a way to keep her husband, Don, safe. However, Gordian sent his men to attack Don and Rose, seemingly killing Don. Due to the stress, she relapses and tries to do surgery on Piper, a sidekick of here Rex, and makes a fatal error. This error had Piper dead on the operating table. Upset, she plans her revenge against Gordian.

Crashing #5 starts with Rose learning that Don is a hostage to Gordian, who is trying to recruit Don to be a corrupt politician. When Rose shows up with Rex Glassman to finally beat Gordian, Don is upset because Rose is the drug addict who accidentally killed her sister. As they try to escape, they argue about the situation, saying their marriage was a scam. Rex and Gordian’s fight causes a lot of damage to the building. As Don and some of Gordian’s lackeys escape, Rose can save Rex, Gordian, or maybe both. Gordian offers her a pill that could give her temporary powers to move the rubble. Refusing to take more drugs, she instead runs away, leaving the powered beings to their fate. One year later, Rose is served divorce papers and finds a new job at the Piper McNally Clinic for the Powered.

This comic series has done a fantastic job representing struggle in an honest and accessible way. I admit that drug addiction isn’t something I am familiar with, so I can’t justify its accuracy. But Crashing #5 portrayed a struggle that was relatable to me and comparable to other aspects of my life. And in that sense, the creative team knocked the story’s themes out of the park. And watching Rose choose to run instead of taking drugs and potentially saving lives is a complicated but fulfilling conclusion to her character development. I am impressed by the creative decisions that Matthew Klein made because it would have been easier just to try and save Rex. Instead, their potential death creates lasting implications for the Doctor, whose duty is to save everyone. With those themes and a solid art style, this is a fantastic conclusion to the series.

I am delighted with this series, and through this journey with Rose, I learned a lot of perspectives on a different type of struggle. Art is meant to challenge, and this book challenged me and my preconceived notions. With all that in mind, this comic is a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars.