The sea confronts the land, but what will happen when it beats against the rocky shore?
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 sea was calling to her and she is able to answer its call. But now that Erica has finally escaped, has she really been freed? That question echoes as she swims away but is lured by a seductive voice … that of the Sea Witch. A seed of doubt is planted as the vixen goads the princess to return to assure that she can never be harmed again. Yet another pawn had been added to the play field and this one will be an avenger – for both of them.
Issoro’s assault against the Cabal is going badly as the Dark One’s army slaughters his men; he watches as they fall one by one in a vain attempt to rescue his daughter, but now he is the one who needs to be saved. As their numbers dwindle, he has no choice but to retreat, however the cowardly Doctor will not allow him to leave without his prize: the trident. As the savages close in, all hope is lost until a siren cleaves them from behind – it is the one for whom they quest: Erica.
Jealous grips the scientist as he sees father and daughter reunite, a joy that burns him to the core. Victory is slipping away and he will not allow this treasure to escape when he may just as easily deny his foe the same reward. Why allow them happiness when he can just as easily grant them pain and gloat as suffering is his very own prize. But as he watches his work come to fruition, it soon is shattered by an enchanting cry that crashes upon his shore. The end has come all too soon.
An army scatters as their leader falls but so too is rung the death knell of the old which brings in the new. The Princess of Atlantis has returned but the cost was great. A kingdom may be reborn but a family has been torn asunder. Erica has become Queen, but now she has exchanged one prison for another. And so the caged bird sings and is denied what she wants for most … freedom.
In Summary:
I am truly sorry to see The Little Mermaid end! Finch’s story was magnificent! Just as we have begun to know the characters, now we have to say goodbye? And what a conclusion as Erica has escaped from one prison only to return to another – the whole issue kept reminding me of Maya Angelou’s poem Caged Bird. Happy scene exchanged for a tragic one, like the poem – it made me cry a few times.
But the artwork in this final issue eclipses Mendonca’s previous work in that we can finally see the ferocity of Erica unleashed. As she contemplates her freedom we see the stillness of a calm lake in her mermaid beauty but as she recalls of what can happen after the Sea Witch’s influence, the torrents of the ocean echo the anger which breaks out as a monster. It was a pleasure to see this same cycle also mirrored within the pages; you could see the drama unfold even if there were no words. This is an example of a great artist!
If I did have something bad to say about the book, I am sorry to say but, it felt rushed. This was the finale – I would have liked to see more drama unfolding instead of something akin to a Hong Kong action movie: finish one action scene, jump to the next. A major character dies and yet it was all glanced over within the span of a page for revenge and yet more action? Then skip to a reunion and the crowning of a new queen? That’s it? Bad form …
What about the Sea Witch? She made that ominous prediction in the last issue “… now let’s make them pay for what they’ve done to us.” Who is us? Herself and Erica? And who will pay? The Cabal or Issoro? I am aching to find out, but how can we if this was the last of the series? And if the King is dead, is his Blessing gone?
Or was this all done on purpose so that we can have another teaming of Finch & Mendonca? I am sure that I am not the only one who wants to see this become a reality! Come on Zenescope … don’t keep us waiting! Am keeping my fingers crossed!
Issue Grade: A
Series Grade: A++
Rating: 16+
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: June 24th, 2015
MSRP: $3.99
