Terminator: Tempest

The Terminator graphic novels

by John Arcudi, Chris Warner, Paul Guinan

This four-color collection finds us in the future as humans continue to struggle under the extermination directive of the Machine. It's an action-packed adventure that follows a small band of soldiers who return to the past--with three new Terminators in hot pursuit!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Science Fiction, Time Travel, Post Apocalyptic

112 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1991

About the author

John Arcudi has made a name for himself by scripting comics that manage to combine long-running subplots with impeccable characterization and action sequences, making for some of the most exciting and consistently good comics out today.

Reviews

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good continuation of the movie storyline. Nice art and writing. Recommended

[Malcolm Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brilliant role reversal to The Terminator written before Judgement Day and ups the ante with more soldiers and more terminators battling it out in the (then) modern world. I liked that it wasn't a rinse and repeat plot to destroy John Connor that the official sequel actually went for but instead turned the tables and looked to destroy the 'unborn' Skynet. The story gets an exciting set up as we follow a band of human soldiers infiltrating a machine stronghold and accessing their time displacement machine. Like Sarah Connor hunting Miles Dyson in Judgement Day the team is hunting down the man studying the remains of the first terminator that Sarah destroyed. Well-paced, with likable characters and 4 terminators running amok. The artwork is a little dated, but perfectly serviceable. Is it as good as Judgement Day?, no but miles better than all the other sequels they keep putting out.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the early Dark Horse Comics licensed movie properties (Aliens, Predator, Terminator) are all pretty good. They're all proper sequels that give the fans almost exactly what they want. Tempest, written in 1989, actually has a lot similar ideas with the 1991 Terminator 2 film.
As another reviewer put it, "Much better than I thought it was going to be."

[Dan Bremner · Rating 2 out of 5]

L

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not gonna sit here and pretend this wasn't pure schlock, but it is fun schlock. I love the early 90s art, over the top panels, and pretty much non-stop pace.

It's not as dumb as I thought it'd be, and even has a few similarities with T2.

I think I have an issue or two of this in the house somewhere.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tempest (1990). Freedom fighters return to the 20th century to try and stop the formation of Skynet. Terminators follow. Obviously this is a reversal of the first movie, and it's oddly prescient. Not only is Skynet technology being developed thanks to the first Terminator left in the past (maybe this already set up in the first movie? I don't remember), but we also get a blonde super-cop Terminator. In any case, it's a fun action ride with cool timey-wimeyness. [4/5]

[Martti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nostalgia on full for me. I got this when I was a boy on a trip to Germany, in German. I've waited 30 years to finally be able to read the end of this hopeless iteration of the fight. All thanks to the latest Humble Bundle!

What's more incredible, I understand this graphic novel is from before the T2 had come out. So it's solely based on The Terminator. Now that I know that, I can see the parallels - more people and terminators through the time displacement equipment. Still effective, still terrifying.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even if I set aside how amazing Terminator: Burning Earth looked, the art of Tempest just feels kinda bland to me. The characters from the future also don't feel like real people so much as a writer's toy soldiers they get to play with. A bit weird that in 2029 it says the war has been going on for over two decades. Surely it'd be over three since Judgment Day is 1997, right? Or is this an alternate timeline? It just might be, depending on what else is supposed to happen in the 1990s setting that this team explores. And I'm gonna choose to believe the dogs are okay.

[Riley Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite this entire storyline ending up being non-canon, or at least in a different timeline (as revealed in Terminator: Endgame), I really liked it! This is part 1, and it introduces the characters Colonel Mary Randall, Hollister and Dudley the Cyborg (I825.M), among others.
It starts in the future, then cuts back to 1984, after the events of The Terminator. Packed with action, intrigue, and lots of different bad guys. Pretty ace.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. Always nice to go back and look at the earlier Terminator expanded universe, and this is no exception. Its possibly the only universe where everything, and nothing, is cannon (the joys of time travel). Artwork is very much of its time, but the story is solid. The slight twist does leave you saying "that doesn't sound like something Skynet would do", but otherwise, I enjoyed it

[Andrew Alvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another classic Dark Horse comic that's bringing back so many memories from when I read it years ago.

Now I'm older the stories are just so much better because I'm now actually bothering to read the words instead of just looking at the pretty pictures...and the gallons and gallons of blood lol

John Arcudi could very well be my new favourite writer.

[I.D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent continuation of the first movie that basically just rehashes the idea only with teams of humans and terminators sent back. Due to the subject , you can’t have any real resolution but for a 4 issue series it has lots of action and clean art. Solid if unspectacular.

[John Connor · Rating 1 out of 5]

very goooooood

[Tom Houlton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sick ending. Not so great story.

[Danny · Rating 3 out of 5]

re-read. holds up nicely as a piece written before the release of T2.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm mid
Like it was fun but some of the writing could be better

[James madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story. 90s comics are always the best. Terminator universe is great.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better than I thought it was going to be.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth reading.

[Kevin Hull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subpar artwork but surprisingly solid in story and concept.