We all have an origin story. Yet life changes us. What happens when we no longer want the life we envisioned? Can we belong somewhere else? Or does switching sides mean we'll never belong anywhere? Set against a backdrop of alien invasion, Monarch #5 wrestles with profound questions thatsooner or latereach of us must ask ourselves. Read Full Review

The basic ideas crossing over the page in the fifth issue echo sci-fi tropes that have been around for decades. Nevertheless, Barnes, Lins, and NCT bring deeply engaging emotion to an old story that feels fresh. In five issues, Monarch has managed to slowly develop something that looks like it could be headed in an interesting direction. If Barnes and company can find a novel resolution in the next couple of issues, they might have found some new life for an old trope. Time will tell.  Read Full Review

It's hard to tell if the series is nudging its way toward some sort of status quo or rush toward an ending (it still could honestly go either way) but the big emotional gut punches aren't hitting like they did back in the opening issue. Read Full Review

I feel like this issue was enjoyable. It had some thoughtful panels. I just feel like it didn't really tell us a lot that we didn't already know.