In this review of Terrorbytes #8, two scientists try to solve the Theory of Everything, but make a startling discovery in a story heavily shaped by current real-world affairs, but with a science fiction twist.
Terrorbytes #8
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Angel Rams
Main Cover: Duncan Rouleau
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: July 22, 2026
This review contains spoilers
As Terrorbytes #8 begins, the trial of Nate Culver, started in Terrorbytes #7, continues. When the judge says the end of civilization was traced back to Culver’s company, Nate’s defense is that he wasn’t even on the planet when it happened. Culver describes how he left Earth because he was dying and space was his only chance at survival.
Before Nate can continue his defense, the main story tells the tale of the downfall of America. It starts with the government doing away with the science advisory after the group warned of looming severe power outages.
Anti-science groups (a.k.a. The Diapermen) around the country grow rapidly, taking out structures like cell phone towers and power transformers due to their beliefs. Federal agents, drones, and wars over oil aid in societal collapse.
Two scientists working at a supercollider in Texas have just enough time and power to run one more test in their attempt to solve the Theory of Everything.
The scientists are barely able to conduct their experiment before power is lost. They then have to escape the country, as the Diapermen groups are coming for them. They make it to CERN in Europe to study their data. When it’s analyzed, they discover everyone is living in a simulation. The aliens running the sim are themselves in wars that are destroying their energy sources. This leads to them having to end a large number of these simulations.
When we return to the trial, Nate refuses to participate by giving further defense. As he’s sentenced to death by way of immersion into a molten metal pit, he decides to tell his full story, ending Terrorbytes #8.
Analysis
Mark Russell returns to writing Terrorbytes #8 after being away for a few issues. The main story he tells about the downfall of America is going to be extremely familiar to anyone paying attention to the news in recent times. He’s basically ripping headlines from the news and slapping them onto the pages of this issue.
There are often times when contemporary issues are worked into comic books in a way that’s more subtle. Russell isn’t doing subtle in Terrorbytes #8. He takes the state of current U.S. affairs and smacks you in the face with them. He might as well have giant neon signs pointing at the pages saying, “Hey folks, wake up! This is what’s happening in our country right now!” Terrorbytes #8 is a pretty significant cautionary tale and probably the best overall issue of the series to date because of how relevant it is to the situations we face in the United States.
This is not to say that we’re living in an alien simulation, but it’s hard to say that there aren’t issues with scientific thinking, AI data centers, and energy consumption at this time in this country. It’s creating a greater divide between people with each passing day. Given enough time, minor issues tend to develop into much larger problems.
This is the type of comic book that should get readers thinking and willing to open conversations that don’t result in name-calling and fighting. We’re all part of the same human race and Mark Russell’s story is trying to get us to realize that fact.
The illustrations by Angel Rams and colors by Fran Gamboa feature clean linework, detailed backgrounds, emotive characters, and a wide range of colors. Your eyes never get bored as you move from one panel to the next. There were several instances where I was pulled out of the story in order to admire the drawings on the page.
Final Thoughts
Terrorbytes #8 is a standout issue in the series. It features strong social commentary on contemporary issues with traces of AI and technology mixed in. Mad Cave Studios needs to be given more credit for publishing this smartly written title. Have fun, comic lovers!
