Sometimes you’re the hunter … and sometimes you’re the hunted.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Lou Iovino
Artwork: Sergio Ariño, Marc Rosete and David Lorenzo Riveiro
Colors: Grostieta, Bryan Valenza and Dono Sánchez Almara
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
When a slippery foe disappears into the streets and alleyways of Brooklyn, the Realm Knights turn to Robyn for help. Together with Masumi, Earth’s Knight, they traverse the darkest corners of Brooklyn’s underbelly. From Brighton Beach and Bushwick to Cobble Hill and Flatbush, Robyn and Masumi follow the trail of death and destruction left by this villain, racing to find him before his evil machinations change New York forever.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Beginning of a New Year and with it Robyn is trying to turn over a new leaf, but of course, as with most people, no one can stick with their resolutions. However, as she finishes off her New York style jog, the archer finds a visitor to her apartment, in the form of Masumi. The Realm Knight was injured and had come to her friend for help, but unfortunately, it is not the Realms threatening type of situation. This time, there is someone who is after Locksley and they have no qualms of hunting for sport or putting innocents in danger. The swordswoman had tracked down this being, which she calls a Snare, even though they were thought to be stuff of legend; there has been no record of these creatures, aside from scraps of myths concerning powerful Highborns mysteriously vanishing through the ages and what appeared to be scorecards with those same names. Of course Robyn scoffed at the notion of something looking for her, but that idea took hold when Masumi said the monster told her it was after an archer.
More curious as to the safety of the human it used to lure Masumi than her own, Robyn calmly asked her friend as to their next venue of action. However, before she can answer, a signature red dot appears between the blonde’s shoulder blades – signalling the target of an oncoming round. Barely able to push her friend out the way, Masumi regretfully realizes that she lead the Snare to his quarry. As it crashes through the window, the crimson gunslinger zeroes in on his prey, barely stopping to deflect the Realm Knight’s frontal assault. The hunter masterfully tosses aside the strike of the demon sword as it was nothing, boldly striding forward to his ultimate objective. However, the exhilaration of the chase is too enticing for it to end so soon, and as such the madman wishes to extend the pursuit, endless taunting Robyn before he closes in for the kill. But, is it really this easy to capture a hero or does she have something else in mind?
In Summary:
While it is always entertaining to read Lou Iovino’s versions of Robyn’s escapades, it seems lately that the main story has become sidetracked to allow for guests appearances. First we had Britney, Hellchild, then Liesel and now finally Masumi – with each brought in to help our flaxen archer to defeat their own perspective foe. Though I can understand all of these enemies converging on New York and our favorite heroine due to the Master of the Hunt Reek, for the time being I cannot but help to become disenchanted; I am sorry to say this, but it just seems like the narrative has become disconjointed with the only element connecting everything being Locksley and her daily life of fighting for the common good. At the beginning with the introduction of Gabby, it seemed like she was more focused on helping her neighborhood, however now with each new supernatural creature, they are wandering further off that path into something darker and deeper, with no connection yet between any of the stories. Even if we are given hints as to this encompassing something bigger, separately each issue seems to stand alone.
The ominous presence established from the beginning helps to magnify the intensity of the story as each act is constructed by a new artist, this time being Sergio Ariño, Marc Rosete and David Lorenzo Riveiro. I love how colorists Grostieta, Bryan Valenza and Dono Sánchez Almara present the grim demeanor of the Snare against a barren snow covered landscape, his deep crimson skin contrasting so well with his black mane and the distressed leather of his costume. This simplicity of using white as the main background attracts the eye to colors which stand out before that purity, action is enhanced making it all the more fluid and anything else, like Masumi’s tights, are made the center of attention. This wonderful mesh of illustration and palette helps to make this tale so dynamic that it moves the reader forward without words and when they are used, they only help to bring everything together, as it should with any great narrative.
Although until now Iovino has managed to drive the series along with each individual issue, so I apologize for saying this but, now it seems that each one appears to be diluting the overall storyline. It is almost like that each story is a filler and the only important component which blends everything together are the last pages between Reek and his mysterious archer friend. Perhaps we are not privy to the big picture which he is composing for the long run, but it seems Iovino has been dropping clues which are essential for draw us to our own conclusions. So for the time being, let’s just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Grade: B+
Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: January 18, 2017
MSRP: $3.99
