Jericho Season 3

For those unfamiliar with this series, it debuted on CBS back in 2006 and ran for two seasons (really, more like one and a third). It focused on the small town of Jericho, Kansas that found itself cut off from the rest of the world after multiple nuclear strikes wiped out the infrastructure of the country. The people of the town had to band together and figure out how to deal with the hardships that faced them such as power outages and shortages of food and water. They also had to decide out to deal with outside threats as well as their own inner turmoil as they grew restless with the lack of information from the outside world. Eventually the people of Jericho reestablished limited contact with some of the neighboring towns and a new government calling itself the Allied States of America. But the country had changed drastically after the nuclear attacks and the people of Jericho were faced with tough decisions on where they would stand in this new order.

The series ran for a full season from 2006 to 2007 before CBS notoriously cancelled it which prompted an unprecedented fan response and a campaign that shipped tons of nuts to the network executives (based on a comment made in the season finale's cliffhanger ending). This lead to CBS agreeing to a shortened second season (of seven episodes) which did not perform any better in the ratings resulting in the network once again cancelling the show.

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Read more about the Jericho TV series at Wikipedia.

After CBS cancelled the series for a second time, fans started up another campaign to save the show, but could not convince the network to give it one more chance. The producers tried shopping it around to other networks and cable outlets, but nothing came from their efforts. But they felt a strong enough commitment to this story that they decided to carry it on in some format and ultimately settled on a comic book continuation of the series titled Jericho Season 3 - Civil Wars. Devil's Due Publishing put out the first three issues of what was to be a six issue mini-series, but as we mentioned above, they ran into some problems that cast the comic book into limbo. However, IDW stepped in and picked up the series, having released the remaining three issues and the trade paperback collection of the first three Devil's Due issues.

Below is a recap and review of the issues that have come out so far as well as a preview of the final issue that will wrap up the mini-series. WARNING! THESE RECAPS INCLUDE SPOILERS!

Synopsis (SPOILER ALERT!): The issue opens with six military jets from the ASA infiltrating Texas airspace in preparation for a sneak attack. Then we cut to Jake who is recalling the events that brought him to Texas to assist in a stand against the ASA's attempts to spread their yoke across the entire country. He recalls the nuclear attacks on 23 cities that brought the nation to shambles and isolated the town of Jericho from the rest of the country. Then we see Hawkins' recollections of his involvement in what has transpired previously. He had worked as a double agent who's job it was to infiltrate the terrorist cell and he had taken and hidden one of the bombs intended for the initial attack. Their recollections come together as their thoughts drift to the ASA which wants to control the entire country and is currently on the verge of civil war with the eastern states with Texas as the wildcard. Then we go to a meeting at Lackland Airforce Base between the Texas leaders and representatives of the United States. It seems that the US is not quite ready to stand up to an attack from the ASA and they need Texas on their side (they claim the state is still part of the union). They also need "something else" to help stand against the ASA, though they do not know what that is. Hawkins may have an idea though, as he gets a message from John Smith asking for help. At that moment, though, the ASA fighters arrive at Lackland and launch their attack, destroying the facility as well as the nearby oil fields. ASA leaders communicate with each other applauding the success and plan on contacting the existing US government in Columbus Ohio with an offer of surrender. We then switch briefly to the town of Jericho where Major Beck is monitoring the information on the attacks. He receives a message on his cell phone then passes information along to the resistance leaders in the town that Jake and Hawkins are still alive but they are not coming home yet. The issue ends with Hawkins telling Jake that with Texas crippled from the attack, they must head into New Mexico (ASA territory) to free John Smith who is apparently a captive. Jake asks why and Hawkins explains that they will need him because he helped build the beast that is the ASA and now he can help dismantle it.

Comments: The comic book reads very much like an episode from the series, in fact the first issue may be too much like an episode. I found it a bit confusing to follow at times and had to reread several pages. I can see where the script here would work well as a television episode, but it does not flow as as well in comic book format. Still this is a relatively minor quibble and did not detract too much from the story and I believe the writers will correct this as they get more accustomed to writing for comics.

All in all, issue #1 gives us a strong start to a series that should have a promising run and that will carry on the story of the television while maintaining the level of quality that fans will expect.

Collected in Jericho Season 3 Redux, Available from TFAW.com

Synopsis (SPOILER ALERT!): Jake and Hawkins enter a refugee camp at the border of Texas and Mexico intent on passing into the Allied States of America. They know that if they go through the normal channels it will take a week or more and they can't risk waiting that long because they could be recognized since there are posters proclaiming them as terrorists all around. They befriend a Native American boy who puts them in contact with a man who can produce forged paperwork for them. This man recognizes Hawkins because he has been monitoring all of the recent activity and notices from the authorities. He agrees to help, even though Hawkins has nothing to trade for his services, because his wife and kids live back east and he does not want them involved in the impending war. He gives Hawkins the papers hoping that he and Jake can help avert the looming conflict. Unfortunately for Hawkins, Jake and the boy become involved in a bar brawl which brings the attention of the authorities in their direction. They head to the bus leaving the camp hoping they can still slip on, but find it too closely watched. They still manage to escape from the camp, though, by sneaking underneath the bus and holding on as it drives out. And even though they managed to get into New Mexico, news of their movements makes its way it to Thomas Valente in the ASA.

Meanwhile, in Jericho Major Beck and his co-plotters are monitoring the other ASA military divisions stationed in Kansas and weighing their options for convincing them to withdraw their support from President Tomarchio. A Major Patrella of the ASA is arriving in Jericho that day and he is highly respected in the new country's military. Beck believes that if they can convince him to stand with them, then many of the other divisions would follow. Patrella comes to Jericho to see what methods Beck used to quell the resistance in that town. He interviews several of the locals and also asks if they know the whereabouts of Hawkins and Jake. During his interviews, Patrella talks with Dale Turner and asks how he has managed to keep his supplies coming into the store; a conversation which makes Dale feel threatened. During all of this, Stanley and Mimi also find out that she is pregnant. As Patrella's interviews continue, Beck decides it is time to show him the evidence of the conspiracy that caused the nuclear attack. He has Patrella called away to his office where he shows him the information about the original plot. Patrella then decides to leave Jericho but tells Beck that he will think long and hard about what he has seen. On the outskirts of town, Patrella's vehicle is stopped by a truck blocking the road and he is shot dead. We then find that it was Dale who had him killed.

Comments: Issue #2 continues from the setup established in the inaugural issue of the series and packs in a lot of story across its 22 pages. Hawkins and Jake are still on the run and Jake is still attracting trouble wherever he goes. Meanwhile the people of Jericho are still plotting against the ASA in the hopes that they can convince the military operations in that area to stand down from using violence. This issue really had the feel of an episode from the series and delivered a more satisfying story than the first issue which seemed to pass through its 22 pages too quickly. However, that issue was necessary for setting up what would follow in the current issue and beyond. This issued also flowed better as the writers appear to be getting more comfortable with the comic book format. I enjoyed this installment (though I found the escape method Hawkins and Jake used a bit far-fetched) and have high hopes that the series will manage to maintain its level of quality.

Collected in Jericho Season 3 Redux, Available from TFAW.com

Synopsis (SPOILER ALERT): Jericho Thread: Eric and his mom await the arrival of Emmett Green, her brother his uncle, who is coming to town from the eastern states for Eric's wedding. When he arrives on the bus he comments to the two about the number of ASA checkpoints he had to go through to get there. Also arriving on the bus is Skylar who had gone to New York looking for her parents with no success. However, she tells Dale that she managed to work a deal for some medical supplies that he can sell at a huge profit while still undercutting J&R. We then see Emmett and Gail reminiscing about Johnston while paying respects at his grave site before switching to the wedding where Stanley is standing in for Jake as Eric's best man. The wedding goes off without a hitch, but during the reception Emmett stands to make a toast and instead berates the people of Jericho for accepting the presence of the ASA. This nearly leads to a brawl, but Gray Anderson steps in to diffuse the situation. Emmett leaves with Gail and he tells her Johnston would have never stood for this, but she rebukes his criticisms and tells him he does not understand the situation. Emmett tells Gail that the people of Jericho have gotten too comfortable and that "it comes with a cost." Then we see someone hanging up a recruiting poster for the ASA army.

New Mexico Thread: Jake and Hawkins, who had jumped a train, arrive in a deserted town. There, they meet up with Chavez, Hawkins' previous CIA contact who has been working undercover in the ASA military. He reveals a helicopter which they will use to break into the facility where John Smith is being held captive. We then see the helicopter approaching a military prison but it fails to acknowledge a radio summons. It then crashes and as rescue vehicles with military personnel arrive on the scene Hawkins and Jake and their team jump them. They use the ambulance to enter the prison as Hawkins holds the driver at gun point. Once inside, they immediately focus on the task of freeing John Smith as quickly as possible. They force their way into the control room and determine Smith's location but alarms begin to sound indicating their presence has been detected. Hawkins then flips a switch opening the gates to all the cells allowing the prisoners to escape and provide a distraction. Hawkins and Jake make their way to Smith's cell and as they burst in he quips that they must have received his message.

Comments: Yet another excellent issue and I have to say that this series has really exceeded my expectations so far and has done a magnificent job of carrying on the feel of the television series. As each segment plays out, I can just see and feel the original actors leaping off the page. In fact, this issue really made me regret once again that CBS cancelled the show because the hour long format would have allowed them to expand on the stories relegated to only 22 pages in the comic book. Still, the writers make the most of those pages and cram in a ton of story while also succeeding in not making us feel they are throwing too much at us at once (like what we saw with the second season because they were trying to get too much into only seven episodes). And Alejandro F. Giralbo's artwork continues to excel as well. He does a fantastic job of capturing not just the likeness of the original actors but also the mannerisms of the characters they portrayed. I just can't say enough good about this series and if you are a Jericho fan who has not started following it yet, it's time to jump on board.

Collected in Jericho Season 3 Redux, Available from TFAW.com

Synopsis (SPOILER ALERT): This issue gives us the backstory for John Smith, the man who masterminded the terrorist attacks on the United States. Smith is being held in the maximum security prison known as Loomer Ridge, and as Jake and Hawkins break in to free him, we get flashbacks to Smith's past. The issue begins with a woman from the prison interrogating Smith and using various psychological tricks to throw him off balance. It does not work, though, because he informs her that she is using the manual he wrote. As the interrogation progresses, an alarm goes off as Jake and Hawkins break into the prison and Smith knows they are coming. We then flash back to five years previous as J&R gives a presentation to Senator Tomarchio and Director Valente showing how they can step in and help out the U.S. Military which is currently "stretched too thin". The company gets the contract with the government, but Smith is concerned because he says that J&R is growing too fast and many of the new recruits have criminal records. He is assured that this will not be a problem, then he is sent to the J&R compound in Afghanistan to monitor things there. However, his worst fears are confirmed and he grounds a platoon of J&R operatives almost right away because he believes they are out of control. The mercenaries turn on him, though, angered for being sidelined, and they kill his wife and injure him. As he recovers, the doctor tells him that he has cancer which vastly changes his perspective on life. He starts to see that J&R is a cancer itself eating away at the United States and must be stopped. He returns to the States and starts to collect information on nuclear bunkers and materials for building warheads that J&R had been previously involved with illegally. He then contacts fringe groups who want to lash out at the United States and sets the stage for the terrorist attacks which he hopes would shake up the country's foundation and basically allow it to cleanse itself of the cancer. However, deep inside he believes that J&R will uncover his plot and stop him which would ultimately implicate them for their own misdeeds. They do uncover his plans, but chose not to reveal them because it would destroy the company and possibly result in its executives going to jail. Smith then decides he has to go forward with this "wake up call" and moves up the timetable so that J&R will not have a chance to interfere. And from that, the nuclear detonations occur which tear up the nation and set the stage for where the story began with the first episode of the Jericho TV series. This issue ends as Jake and Hawkins make their way through the chaos in the prison after many other prisoners have escaped and caused a grand commotion (see the previous issue). They arrive at the interrogation room (returning to us to the same point that issue three ended on) and take Smith with them hoping to avert the larger war brewing across the fractured country.

Comments: The comic book series has been excellent so far, and fortunately this latest issue continues the momentum from the first three (despite the extended delay). It focuses almost entirely on the mysterious John Smith character and gives us his backstory and finally a more comprehensive look at what brought about the attacks on the United States. It also casts an almost sympathetic light on Smith, so you can call it the "Company Man" episode of the Jericho series (that was the episode from Heroes Season 1 that gave us the backstory on Noah Bennet, aka HRG). Long-time Jericho fans, especially those who waited so patiently for this issue, may be disappointed that it gives us only the briefest appearances of the two main characters and did not check in on the people back in the town of Jericho at all. But that can be overlooked because this issue did so much to answer questions that have been lingering for quite some time. The writers promised answers in this series and they have definitely delivered on that so far along with four excellent issues in a row. Now let's hope that they do not expend all of their creative energy too soon, because I would definitely like this story to continue beyond this six issue mini.

Order Issue #4 from TFAW.com

Synopsis (SPOILER ALERT):
Jake and Hawkins Thread: Valente informs President Tomarchio that John Smith has escaped and that Jake Green and Robert Hawkins broke him out. Tomarchio tells Valente to get him back in custody as soon as possible and Valentte tells him that he has hired Mr. Palmer to track Smith down. Tomarchio then goes to a press conference that he will use to sell the people of the ASA on an invasion of the eastern states. Meanwhile, once Jake and Hawkins have made it a safe distance from the prison facility, they use the battery of the car they have liberated to short out the tracking device surgically implanted in Smith. They succeed at that and Smith takes them to a fallout shelter he had set up as a refuge. It had been discovered by J&R and ransacked, but he had a thumb drive safely stored away that has a mirrored backup of the J&R network. Their return to the fallout shelter sets off an alarm and a drone is dispatched to bomb the location. This was part of Smith's plan, though. He has a secret exit set up to escape from the shelter, and after the bomb levels the facility, Jake, Hawkins, and Smith will be assumed dead.

Jericho Thread: The people of Jericho listen to Tomarchio's speech calling far an attack in disgust. But they have little time to fret as word breaks that Major Patrella has been found murdered and that Major Beck will be held responsible because this happened under his watch and Patrella left town quickly without an escort. And if Beck is relieved of his command, then all of the ASA officers sympathetic to his resistance movement will likely withdraw their support. Eric Green and several others suspect Dale Turner had something to do with the murder and they confront Dale about it who of course denies any culpability. They then track Peter, one of Dale's people, who is acting suspiciously and catch him as he is trying to dispose with the murder weapon. They turn him in and convince him to confess on the promise that the people of Jericho will protect his family in the coming conflict. This gets Beck off the hook so that he can carry on with his plans to stand against the coming ASA aggression.

Comments: Finally! After a bit of a delay, issue #5 hits the stands! And it is yet another good one in this comic book continuation of the Jericho television series. For the most part I enjoyed this issue, but I felt like they rushed through quite a number of things and practically left our heads spinning with the amount of story that the issue crammed in. But then they are trying to get a lot done in just six issues (just like the second season tried to get a lot done in just seven episodes). I also was not quite convinced that Pete would have agreed so easily to turn himself in and confess. But then we did not see the convincing done by Eric and the others to bring him to this decision (we only get a brief recap). Just one of the ways they cut corners to fit everything in. And at this point, I am wondering how well they will be able to wrap this story up in only one more issue. They have set up a lot to follow, so let's hope they don't try to resolve everything in just the 22 pages allotted to issue #6. What I am hoping is that they will give us a partial resolution to some of the story threads then set up a continuation into another mini-series or (even better) an ongoing comic series. In any case, this issue keeps up the quality of the ones that preceded it (despite its whirlwind pace), and it definitely has me looking forward the the upcoming finale. You can still order a copy of issue #5 from TFAW.com at this link.

Synopsis (SPOILER ALERT): Mr. Palmer (going under the assumed name of Thompson which is sewn on his uniform) is dispatched by Director Valente to Jericho to apprehend Robert Hawkins and David Reynolds/John Smith. The Hummer he is traveling in, though, is intercepted by Constantino and his men and all except Palmer are killed. Meanwhile, Jake and Hawkins are nearing Jericho and they debate what information they should divulge about Reynolds. Hawkins says that they should tell Major Beck that Reynolds has vital information about the involvement of Jennings & Rall in the nuclear attacks but insists that they not divulge any information on Reynolds' own complicity. Once back in Jericho, Beck reveals information to Jake, Hawkins, and Reynolds about commanders who have pledged to aid in the resistance against the A.S.A. Beck then takes Reynolds to a video conference with several of these commanders where Reynolds reveals that J&R plans on crossing into United States territory (with U.N. approval) to give aid to the town of Vicksburg Mississippi which is desperately in need of supplies because of an influx of refugees from Texas. The A.S.A. believe that a violent uprising will follow shortly giving them an excuse to launch bombing raids along the Mississippi river. The hope is that this will demoralize the population and lead Columbus to a decision to surrender to the A.S.A. The commanders want Reynolds to hand over the intelligence on how to break into the J&R system, but he turns them down saying that only he is capable of doing what they need. He will infiltrate the system and disrupt satellite communications that would be used to coordinate the drone bombing raids.

Meanwhile in New Bern, Constantino's men are questioning Palmer, but the agent breaks free and quickly turns the situation around on his captors, killing all but Constantino. Back in Jericho, Jake reunites with his friends and family and Hawkins returns home to find that his daughter has left and joined up with the aid workers. After Jake has his joyful reunion, he begins to ponder on the situation more and decides it's best to approach Beck and come clean about Reynolds. Hawkins stands in his way, though, and the two come to blows until Jake once again agrees to remain silent. Meanwhile, Reynolds hacks into the J&R system getting the information on the satellites and allowing the resistance commanders to send operatives to take them down. Jake and Hawkins arrive at Beck's office just as this operation has been completed. Back in New Bern, Palmer plans to use Constantino to get him into Jericho and infiltrate the resistance forces. And with this, the sixth issue of this six issue mini-series comes to a close with---surprise, surprise--- "to be continued . . ." More on that in the comments below.

Comments: The Jericho comic book series continues with yet another excellent issue that moves the story into high gear as all of the plotlines come together for the final resolution of the tale. But just as I was turning the last few pages and wondering how they could possibly wrap this up in the current issue I see: "to be continued". And no further explanation beyond that. Did they plan on leaving us hanging, or is another issue planned? I can't find a darn bit of information on the IDW website and they still bill this as the final issue of the mini-series. Is another mini-series planed, or will we be left out on a limb once again? My first thought when I saw the "to be continued" was that this meant the series would now turn into an ongoing title. But I can't find anything suggesting that to be the case. I will continue to check for more information and report back with what I find on the status of potential future issues.

Anyway, back to the comic book itself. As I said, this was another excellent issue even if it did feel a bit rushed and did gloss over several parts too quickly. I'm not quite certain I understood why an outbreak of violence would crop on in Vicksburg, MS after the J&R aid would arrive (maybe because they lent the support the U.S. had reneged on?) and why bombing raids along the Mississippi river would demoralize the population and lead Columbus to surrender. But again, I think they are rushing through some of the explanations because they have to cram so much into only a few issues. It really would be great if this did turn into an ongoing title because maybe then they would have the luxury of slowing the pace down a bit and filling in some of the loose ends. In any case, this issue keeps the quality up, we just have to hope that we have not been left hanging on this story for now a fourth time (after the Season 1 cancellation, Season 2 cancellation, and Devil's Due mishaps) with no idea whether it will continue. Stay tuned for more information.

Order Issue #6 from TFAW.com

This is the trade paperback that collects the fist three issues originally published by Devil's Due Publishing.

TFAW.com Product Description: Continuing right where the Jericho Season 2 television cliffhanger ended! This specially priced edition collects the first three issues in one affordable package, to prep you for the series' continuation, also available this month.

Jake Green and Robert Hawkins are in the safe haven of Texas with the last remaining bomb from the first attack. From amidst the chaos, they're contacted by John Smith, the mastermind behind the first strike, seeking aid. As the Cheyenne army bears down on them, they must decide whether to side with their former enemy to fight a greater one. . .

Order from TFAW.com for only $7.19 (Price Subject to Change Without Notice)

Hard to say at this point. They seem to have left us hanging with the last issue of the mini-series and I can't find any information on future plans to continue the story. If you liked the comics, then let IDW know (you can Email them at letters@idwpublishing.com). Hopefully if they hear from enough fans (and if the sales numbers were good), they will give us more of the comics.

And if you are new to Jericho, you can either start with the comic book series (the first issue gives you a brief catch up on what happened up to that point), or start watching it from the beginning online or with the DVDs.