Sometimes it’s best to keep your friends close … and your enemies closer!
Creative Staff:
Writer: Chuck Dixon
Artwork: Julius Abrera
Colors: Robby Bevard
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
San Diego is facing some kind of impending mystical apocalypse and the epicenter of it might just be Robyn’s current love interest; an oil billionaire with a taste for pre-Columbian antiquities. And the city isn’t safe from Sam Cavendar’s new alter ego. She’s Marian’s sweetheart by day and a ravaging hell-beast from beyond the stars by night. It’s going to take more than a well-placed arrow to make this right! Chuck (Bane:Conquest) Dixon brings the mystery, action and horror you look for in comics!
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
As Robyn becomes closer to the billionaire she now calls Gerry, Marian has her own problems with beloved Sam. Ever since she came back dazed the previous night, the witch has been having disturbing nightmares of unearthly visions and a demon who now possesses her lover. After waking from such a startling dream, she is stunned to see her companion calmly making coffee, and in turning trying to soothe her frayed nerves. But as the two talk, Locksley and her new friend share a romantic embrace, all to thank him for a new gift of exotic arrows to replace those the police confiscated. However, can she truly trust this man who appears to have more secrets than those he cares to reveal to this new protector?
Even as the blonde archer begins to question this new relationship, Detective Mose and his partner Jack are once again investigating the ongoing developments around the Mexican entrepreneur. The frantic fugitive who once implicated this upstanding citizen was found last night murdered within his cell, and the method was familiar. As they look over the surveillance footage, they notice a grisly detail which was also seen in the museum killing – the killer was dressed in a sickening skin walker costume. This cannot be a coincidence, two crimes connected to the same person, and both murders were disguised in the same disgusting fashion. If they are to believe the ravings of the now deceased accuser, there is something far more sinister brewing within that cool facade … and it will not be pleasant for this calm city.
In Summary:
This issue was a strange one, even within all of the mystery and drama concerning the truth behind Sam’s possession, writer Chuck Dixon does not disappoint. It was a great piece of literary ambiance to open the narrative with the closing of the previous issue, continuing the sickening murders with the death of Jorgito, the one who accused Villaraigosa of wrongdoing, and then see him being dealt within in similar gruesome fashion. But to reinforce that ghoulish atmosphere, Marian is thrust into a shocking nightmare with Sam at the center of the chaos, making the somberness of the whole issue all the more intentional. However the strangest piece of contemplative insight is to see Robyn with Gerry, for lack of a better word … happy. Fans of this franchise know how her past relationships have ended: Cal King gave her the permanent trauma of gouging out her eye, and when she later embraced Will Scarlet in Myst, strangely enough the same Cal later named the Sheriff of Nottingham would kill the only person she romantically loved. It is this viscous cycle of violence which follows Locksley whenever she even tries to be close to any man, and if the pattern holds true, it seems this one will also end in matching manner, considering the implications surrounding the billionaire. If Dixon stays the course for this romance, it seems Robyn will only be in for disappointment, given the repugnant nature of this man.
With all of the sinisterness surrounding this issue, the amazing skilled displayed by Julius Abrera does not waste time to set the mood of the atmosphere, immediately plunging us head first into gorgeous grotesqueness. While the few pages may seem a bit tame, once we are captivated by Marian’s allure within her nightgown it all goes downhill as she descends into the conscious nightmare. Robby Bevard only makes things worse by blanketing the issue with an appropriately gloomy veil of shadow, darkening the images so much so that you cannot but become partially depressed by the portrayals. The sickening oceans of crimson signal something evil coming, allowing for Abrera to unleash his dark imagination when depicting the possession of Sam, with a splash that appears to be influenced by Lovecraft’s Cthulhu, tentacles spanning the depth of the page, enticing us to delve ever deeper. And yet the sexiness of Sam’s costume nullifies part of the imagery, as you cannot put gaze into her cleavage and those wickedly magnetic eyes. However even with these expected portrayals, what is the most unsettling is to see Robyn with the most unexpected expression of all – a smile. You are so used to seeing our blonde beauty with a scowl, snarky or disinterested expression, and now the grin etched unto her face seems almost unnatural and forced. While you cannot deny it is Locksley, the single page of that emotion appears painful, knowing it will never last. It is not until we reach the scene of Marian and Sam confronting each other by which the natural tension of sexual suggestiveness returns, the undeniable and welcome mixture of strength expressed through determination, but at the same time, you cannot deny the majesty of the female form. This is where this team shines, showing us women can be strong and at the same time, beautiful.
As the narrative begins to entice us to want ever more, it is the captivating imagery and haunting colors of Robyn Hood: The Curse which makes us stay to see how the story will materialized in all its beautiful graphic forms. The tension of the unfolding story makes it almost painful to see how it will unfold, as this team inches ever close to the anticipatory want of not wanting it to end. But at the same time, you need it to slowly progress forward, just to release the pressure in fear you will burst from the waiting. This is how you make the audience yearn for the next issue, all in its cliffhanging compassion.
Grade: A-
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: March 21, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
