Jonny and Haji have been taken prisoner in the year 2024. Johnny and his fully-grown adult self have made it aboard the craft of the sinister Dr. Zinn, but they’re in great danger as things get ever more complicated in Jonny Quest #5.Writer Joe Casey continues a deeply enjoyable action update on the old, classic TV series under the power of artist Sebastian Piriz and colorist Lorenzo Scaramella. The series continues to find just a bit more depth and maturity in characters who had been first given life in the old scripts that had been written for television in a different era.

Zin is telling Jonny that victorious warriors win first and THEN go to battle. Defeated warriors go to war while seeking victory. This makes about as much sense as anything Zin might have said in the past. it doesn't help that as he says these words, he is essentially a hologram and it helps even lash that Jonny is in the middle of battle as the words are spoken. Zin speaks of being the embodiment of immortality. This is a pretty powerful thing to say as one flies through the air as a construct of light. If Jonny and company are going to win the conflict, they’re going to have to find a way to meet Zin in person. 

Casey manages to have it both ways as the five-issue story draws to a close. He is both showing a contemporary version of the character and his supporting cast while also delivering the classic version that audiences have come to know and love over the decades. With everything fully revealed by the end of the story, there's just enough mystery around the edges of everything to keep it all very interesting. At the same time there is quite a bit that feels fresh and complicated with respect to the writers approach. It's quite a balance.

Piriz has managed a really clever parallel between Jonathan and Jonny that becomes extremely apparent by the end of the fifth issue. The posture and emotion of the young hero is into a much older and more sophisticated version of himself that manages to find a fusion between himself and his father. And he's all very sophisticated and very intricate. The artist is able to do this without, making it painfully obvious. This is quite an accomplishment. Of course, all of the drama, and the action continue to be very well executed, and there are some very cleverly framed action shots that give the series quite a bit of impact.

It's remarkably well done. It was just a reaching a satisfying momentum right around the time it drew to close. With any luck, the next series will be every bit as appealing. The series continues in March without brand new story. Nice to see that there are plans in place for something new beyond the current series. The series is guaranteed success so long as it is able to continue to show respect for the source material while being willing to move forward with greater stories of greater complexity. 

Grade: B