Known for its android horror, The Terminator has heavily relied on variations of the same robot killer. The T-800 has been the most common model for the franchise, with variations such as the T-1000 and the T-X improving upon it. Nonetheless, the T-800 has also been the favored model in various Terminator comics. However, this framework has proven limited, though it does shine in particular instances.

The Terminator #2 has the creative team of Declan Shalvey, David O'Sullivan, Colin Craker, and Jeff Eckleberry. The series has been almost a collection of one-shots with each issue, with short connecting stories in some, but not in every installment. This has allowed the creative team to shine a light on different areas of the world in the Terminator universe. Each story features the iconic mechanical foes chasing down different, original characters in different situations. This pulp-style approach is a different turn for the franchise in recent years.

The Terminator Seems to Be a Flawed, Ineffective Methodology for Skynet

Within The Terminator franchise, the machines always fail to get their targets and eliminate them. The resilience of humans like Sarah Connor and her son John have proven to be successful against the mechanical foe time and time again. The stealth methodology of infiltrating human society to kill them before John fights against Skynet continuously fails, despite technological improvements in Terminator models. In addition, there isn't very much stealth to it, considering the wave of violence that continually crashes over innocent bystanders or people who happen to share similar names. This has made me question how effective Terminators actually are.

In many ways, I've found the T-800 to be particularly lacking in its design. While it looks cool and can be very deadly, as well as hard to kill, it's far from the most effective machine Skynet has at its disposal. The machines have armies of drones and aviation that could all target John and Sarah - among other humans - from great distances. Given the machine's futuristic advancements, it's possible they could even avoid major detection by military systems in the past. This would allow for effective elimination of targets without having to be on the ground.

What I Expected From Skynet's Army of Terminators

Given the focus of the T-800, T-1000, and T-X in having a humanoid exterior and the perceived stealth capabilities, I would have anticipated this being the machines greatest asset. Since it can blend in with people, it has the potential to go threw a slew of targets to advance its goals of destroying humanity. Additionally, since it's capable of adapting with stronger and improved technology, it would seem like there would be a greater focus on stealth targeting, infiltration, or unexpected machines lying in wait. It seems like it would've been easier to slip deadly home appliances into the dwellings of Sarah Connors than hunt and eliminate them independently.

Against a crafty foe, having the ability to meet it with enhanced physical human qualities and its own adaptability gives Terminators a powerful advantage over humanity.

Skynet clearly saw a value in a humanoid army that mirrors human ingenuity in some regards, but the error it makes that ultimately prevents success seems to be relying too heavily on the human design. This may be due to limitations in its thinking capacity, but it clearly uses a range of destructive machinery, such as assorted Hunter-Killer (HK) units, and Moto-Terminators. Limiting itself to the T-models didn't allow Skynet to reach its goal of eliminating John Connor or preventing his birth. Incorporating more of a stealth approach or flight capability could've increased its chances of success exponentially.

The T-800 is Deceptively Efficient

The Terminator #2 features a soldier stationed in Vietnam when the North Vietnamese Army arrives in the area, initiating an evacuation of U.S. troops. A terminator arrives and takes on the image of a Vietnamese soldier, before attacking assorted humans. This includes a group in a tank, which the T-800 disposes of brilliantly using a tank's treads as a projectile. While other Skynet machines would be more effective in eliminating human threats, such as jets and other flying vehicles, they possess less flexibility in many situations. Adaptability is a trait best possessed by the T-800, T-1000, and T-X style models.

Despite having the ability to use stealth in humanoid forms, Terminators rarely use it to its full potential. Often, paths of carnage are left in the wake of the assassination machines, regardless of whether other humans are around or end up collateral damage from chasing a specific target. While they do blend in, allowing them to get close to their target, their actual potential for stealth and sneaky elimination isn't regularly realized. However, their overall versatility in the field, aided by their superior strength, is what makes them a truly terrifying threat.

I Underestimated the Terminator's Best Asset

Skynet's available machine army has a slew of weaponry and the ability to utilize human weapons effectively. Yet being on the ground and being able to use its physical advantages to turn unorthodox items into weapons is a big boost I hadn't initially considered when contemplating the T-800's design given its present results. Not everyone has the ability to tear apart tanks and weaponize parts the way the T-800 proved it can. Being able to utilize this adaptability, not knowing what a Terminator could come up against when it goes back in time, is a strength that shouldn't be underestimated.

Humans' strength, particularly in The Terminator franchise, lies in their ingenuity and determination to survive. Their thinking is less rigid than Skynet's machines. Against a crafty foe, having the ability to meet it with enhanced physical human qualities and its own adaptability gives Terminators a powerful advantage over humanity. The Terminator #2 from Dynamite Comics excels at showing why the T-800 is actually very deadly and efficient when, in many cases and from certain angles, it seems like a jet would get the job done much more quickly.