A modern retelling of a classic fairy tale.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Meredith Finch
Art: Miguel Mendonca
What They Say:
Do you know the real story of the Little Mermaid? When a young mermaid finds herself captured, her world will turn upside down and she will need to find the courage to confront her fears or perish at the hands of evil.
Content (please note that portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The series takes a serious turn as both factions above and below start to tighten their grip in our tale of woe. In the previous issues, there was a balance of light and dark, but now we are clearly shifting towards events which will effect both worlds.
Fortunes have now turned. Where the King of Atlantis once held the power and a self enforced exile kept the slithering seductress at bay, the Sea Witch now knows that she now holds all the cards. Where once she had to live in solitude, she now defiantly glides past the guards and demands that Issoro grant his part of the bargain.
A foolish decision in the past granted Issoro a night of passion, but now those same actions haunt him. A hasty deal now threatens to tear asunder the kingdom when he made that empty promise. Those same words now hold power and it these that now hold the powerless ruler captive.
The cadre also seem to have all they need from their captive. Another hostage is forced to face her action: one seemingly harmless rescue now keeps her imprisoned and all seems lost. Will their sadistic experiments strip Erica of her sanity or will the final solution be the end?
In Summary:
Although the artwork and story swimmingly move the tale along, the issue itself felt empty since it was mostly about the bad guys bragging how superior they were; the good guys are suffocating under an oppression of their strength!
Now Issoro is backed into a corner and we can feel the Sea Witch’s hands (or should that be tentacles) slowly begin to wrap themselves around Atlantis. It was the then prince’s foolishness that landed him this situation and his quick actions now grant the slinky siren the Sea King’s Blessing:
“… may it guide you and bring you success on your chosen path.”
As I said before, words are power. And will these same grant her what she truly wishes for?
Although there were some brief glints of light like the forbidden couple’s reunion and Erica’s brief escape, which did offer some hope in this dreary melodrama, but they were both quickly snuffed out. It seems redundant to bring these up unless it offered something in return. But it can’t be that easy, can it?
People read fantasies to get away from the tedium of their normal lives and in doing so, perhaps glimpse into a dream like state which we might call a Perfect Life. But, what worth would that bring if all were perfect? Life defined by the choices which we make and in doing so, we forge our own destinies and make ourselves stronger.
I like to see the good guys win, but of course, they can’t always be triumphant. Hopefully, this smothering misama will help to make their final victory taste even sweeter?
Only two more issues left! Will the good guys make a come back next issue? Can’t wait to find out!
Grade: A
Rating: 16+
Released By: Zenescope via ComiXology
Release Date: April 22nd, 2015
MSRP: $3.99