In this review of Vanishing Point #5, a suicidal inmate meets his match when a doctor shows him how to create a new lease on life (but for how long?)
Vanishing Point #5
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Ryan Alexander-Tanner
Main Cover: Phil Hester
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: October 1, 2025
This review contains spoilers
Vanishing Point #5 opens decades from now as an inmate named Lawrence stands on the ledge of a building, while an orderly pleads with him to come back inside. Lawrence ignores him and jumps. The orderly catches Lawrence and pulls him back inside, where he and another orderly (guard?) beat him with billy clubs and drag him back to his room. Later, Doctor Choi visits Lawrence (who is strapped to his bed) as cute animal videos play on a nearby monitor.
Doctor Choi is concerned over Lawrence’s alarming behavior, and encourages him to embrace the opportunity he has been given: yoga, group therapy, massages (always with menacing orderlies standing nearby). Lawrence does what he is told, but wonders what is even the point. In group therapy, he opens up about the tragic monorail accident that landed him in the facility, and says that now he just wants out.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the city, an electronic billboard counts down to the next televised execution.
Lawrence meets with a secret “death group” of inmates who are willing to kill him. Lying on a table in the facility’s gardening shed, Lawrence has second thoughts while waiting for the literal axe to drop, so he flees, only to discover that the whole event was staged by Doctor Choi. Lawrence shamefully admits to himself that he doesn’t want to die, and submits to Doctor Choi’s treatment.
The truth about Lawrence’s role in the monorail crash is finally revealed, (his incompetence as the remote rail operator caused the accident that killed 82 people), and he has been institutionalized to await punishment.
Sometime later, Lawrence is led to a room, given a health check and is then strapped to a large metal X, which is raised into public view, and is also televised. A large cannon fires and a frightened Lawrence is disintegrated, to the delight of the viewing public.
Vanishing Point #5 ends with the new governor congratulating Doctor Choi on her success with keeping death row inmates alive until execution, as another inmate climbs out onto the ledge above them.
Analysis
Vanishing Point #5 hits similar notes to previous issues of this series without being an actual retread. Mark Russell’s clever satire hits on themes of mental health, the penal system, personal responsibility and the death penalty, as Lawrence’s arrogant/misguided actions caused a massive tragedy, and he knows his life is over, but his sense of self preservation kicks in when he is given the opportunity (even though it was faked).
The electronic billboard is a recurring character in Vanishing Point #5, featuring the governor’s campaign ad, the countdown to the next public execution and finally, Lawrence’s final, tragic moments. Addiction to the rampant toxicity on social media probably plays a part in this futuristic society, (but the irony of people actually coming together to witness the event as a group is not lost on me).
Vanishing Point #5 has more of Mark Russell’s sharp observations and gallows humor. Some of Russell’s characters in this series are victims of circumstance, trapped in a life that doesn’t allow for any upward mobility. Lawrence is a relatable, flawed main character (but not a true protagonist) who made a terrible mistake with deadly consequences. But his culpability comes out of negligence than true malice.
Artist and series co-creator Ryan Alexander-Tanner returns to the world of Vanishing Point, and his clean, simplified style suits the narrative as some of the dire elements play more as an absurd, tragic comedy of errors. Alexander-Tanner’s heavy brushwork is well applied, adding weight to clothing and cloaks some of the darker scenes in literal shadows that reflect Lawrence’s burden.
While there are not many dramatic panel angles or intense action scenes in Alexander-Tanner’s layouts, Lawrence’s sadness and fear can be found in Lawrence’s body language and facial expressions.
Final Thoughts
Vanishing Point #5 is a solid effort with a dark twist, and a tragic, but inevitable ending. The story impresses with its topical themes and macabre humor while the art contrasts the grim settings with cartoonish flair.
