When the time is right, you will know … but what happens when it’s wrong?
Creative Staff:
Writer: LaToya Morgan
Artwork: Daniel Mainé
Colors: Leonardo Paciarotti
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
Things go from bad to worse for Robyn. Not only is she trapped in a maximum security prison with her deadliest enemies but the Warden has passed his own sentence on her … and his verdict is death.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
People always say Robyn never plays nice with others, but when the guards demand she accompany them to a private room … things go terribly wrong. As our blonde avenger’s life begins to flash before her eyes, this is one hero who will not go gently into that good night – she will fight back. Even with a noose around her neck, she manages to pacify one before the other turns and explodes in a burst of crimson. It seems Locksley has an ally in The Dungeon, but can she really trust anyone within this a pit of scum and villainy? This man is saying all of the right things, but his actions still cannot be trusted, especially when he holds back information; then to top things off, his management skills are not very convincing as attempts to concoct a believable argument for Robyn’s easy punishment. For now, he is not on her favorite prison employees list, so this guy has better watch out.
But as the two return to the cell he still tries to help by warning about a signal, even in his own cryptic way, but does not elaborate. As if this day wasn’t pleasant enough, Robyn’s delightfully cheery roommate Zoë gives her a new piece of news – she has a green light on, which she explains by showing her name xed out on a note. Just as Locksley’s new guard friend told her to keep her head down and this happens. Then to add to the exasperations of the day, this ever helpful companion compounds the mysteries by stating Robyn is the key to getting them both out. But even as she tries to stay out of trouble, danger always follows her around, even in the shower as Red Death tries to complete her vengeance. So much for trying to keep a low profile … how much more difficult can today get?
In Summary:
We always knew there would be a jailbreak, after all the series is titled Robyn Hood: The Hunt, so it was only a matter of time before writer LaToya Morgan would allow Robyn to have some free reign. But even if this issue is a transitional story, it doesn’t mean we are left with a hollow narrative, she still permits the reader to absorb the structure of prison life with all of its cruel possibilities. And while it is unavoidable to include clichéd situations and stereotypes such as the helpful guard and an obligatory shower scene, Morgan still gives us a laugh within this gloomy atmosphere, and that is with the inclusion of Zoë. I could not help giggling seeing the book she was reading – Stephen King’s Different Seasons, since Morgan connected her admiration with that novella from the beginning of the series; it is from this title which includes the short story Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, and of course thus the movie of the same name. So to was it also clever to see a derivative of the subtitle for that tale slipped into the conversation, Hope Springs Eternal, between the two cellmates.
It is wondrous to have these classic moments from one of my favorite films being incorporated into the story, but at the same time, it is also nice to see classic prison moments descend into the narratives so as to remind us it does not venture far from what it is meant to be – an iconic tale of corruption and revenge; however, it is strangely appropriate Robyn fits so well into this environment, her gruff persona blending into the anger everyone has, and if not for her underlying nobility, Locksley might even take over The Dungeon and turn it into her own personal hunting ground. But luckily, I am glad she is breaking free from that mold and giving us a story fitting to her heroism and allowing the audience to see this is not the same Robyn we once knew so long ago. Robyn Hood is here and she is willing to show the world she will not be manipulated.
Even within this stasis of any monumental action, artist Daniel Mainé still manages to display his command of crisp dynamic action and meaningful emotion. This value is projected within the first pages of the issue, Robyn fighting for her life and yet still shows she can dominate the scene with her overbearing determination to survive within this claustrophobic world. Then to amplify the drama even more within this confining atmosphere, colorist Leonardo Paciarotti helps to explore the inner workings of prison, something which immediately does not sound interesting, until he allows us to see it through the luminescence of sterilized fluorescent lights. Everything within the interiors of The Dungeon is cold and dehumanizing, as it should be, showing life and death can be the same sides of a coin at anyone’s whim. But even within this depressing setting, Zoë still tries to ingratiate herself with Robyn, her shinning white smile a beacon of hope within all of this madness.
However, when we reach the tastefully depicted shower scene, with steam and water covering the nudity discretely, this is where that same skillful use of fluorescence works against the coloring – almost blinding the reader after being in a dimly lit cell; while the white porcelain tiling and lights might have worked in a normal environment, within this gloomy prison, it seems out of place, especially once we are submitted to daylight illumination afterwards. Phosphorescence versus natural light – those same colors which seemed appropriate inside under artificial lightning now seem washed out when exposed to sunlight. The contrast between these similar palettes make for strange bedfellows, but after a while, they do work to convey the narrative for this struggle to survive.
The stage has been set and actors await direction from an unseen director who manipulates their actions from a lofty perch, playing with his toys with delight and glee. But this play depicts life and death with Robyn at the center of attention for all to see, much to her chagrin. While she may have no choice as to the whims of this warped hand’s manipulations, there may soon come a time when the puppets will cut their strings and turn against the master. And when that say comes, woe be to those who have angered Locksley in her bid for escape and freedom.
Grade: A
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: September 06, 2016
MSRP: $3.99
