Sometimes things go right … but when the Musketeers are involved, it’s always wrong.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Terry Kavanagh
Artwork: Daniel Mainé
Colors: Bryan Valenza
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
Questions surround the mysterious Musketeers. Where did they come from? Are they heroes or dangerous villains? Hunted by the authorities, time is running out for them to make a choice. Too bad their fate may have already been decided for them.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Ever since the three friends returned to Earth, things have not been going smoothly and a lack of information does not make things any easier. While they may trust Merlin and his apprentice Morgan, their first mission from Councilman Diamond does not fill them with any confidence. He wants them to retrieve an artifact called the Chariot of Tarot, a bracelet which is not difficult to identify, but due to numerous copies scattered around the city, locating it will not be simple. While all of the locations are in Philadelphia, their lack of experience in being thieves does not help the situation, with the definition of being silent at a loss, causing the museum to be a failure, even if the item is not there. As they continue their escapades into the night, the next address is also not so simple being a bank, and the team inadvertently sets off the alarm.
As they scour the deposit boxes for the relic, only to learn this piece of jewelry is also a fake, the siren echoing in the background becomes annoying, prompting a hasty exit, only to see the police have been alerted and are waiting. With any hope of a quiet escape now null and void, the team make the best of a bad situation, with the boys in blue not holding back and using deadly force. As the powerhouse Diego uses a nearby car as a shield, the girls Winter and Carmen surge forward, deftly avoiding all incoming ordnance and skillfully disarming the men or knocking them out, without any casualties. However, when the munitions trigger an explosion, the engulfing flames, and smoke signal this is as good a time as ever to use the cover for a necessary escape. Once the Musketeers return home to clean up and consider their next heist, Sudam finds Morgan more than disappointed in their failures and tells the unsure girl she only wants her for the following job. Can she really trust this woman cloaked in red and go against her friends … or is this her only choice?
In Summary:
While I can accept this is only the second issue of a mini-series, this title is lacking in any real enthusiasm to motivating the reader to progress further within the story. With writer Terry Kavanagh narrating this issue via Winter’s angst-ridden monologue, at times it is rather depressing due to her anxiety in not know what to do and the uncertainty if the team’s actions are all for the right cause. The details are also so focused with her questioning attitude you cannot but side with her concerns, not allowing for any other factors to slant it toward other conclusions. It also does not help if you had previously read Grimm Fairy Tales Volume 2 #12, since this issue spoils a reveal which will likely change the dynamic of the characters’ prospects in the near future. Even if you ignore this argument in lieu of wanting to enjoy the story, there is not much to give the tale any depth other than one-sided disarray, even if it is populated by so much glorious and continuous action.
Even within this uninspired chronicle of the Musketeers’ antics, you cannot but be amazed by the skill of extraordinary illustrator Daniel Mainé with his spectacular opening sequence reminiscent of a scene from Mission Impossible. You can feel the tension throughout the issue, the dynamic expression of intensity and unabashed attitude of surging forward, not caring for the consequences, only to deal with them in the aftermath. Every page reflects that nonchalant eagerness to get the job done, but at the same time, also have fun while doing it. However, even within this unabashed spectacle, there is an overwhelming sense of gloominess which tries to smother the excitement, and it is the odd choice of page filter chosen by colorist Bryan Valenza. Although I can understand his need to show these escapades occurring at night, it does mean he needs to conceal the issue within a grey film which eclipses normally vivid colors and changes them into something akin to visual melancholy. This should be an exhilarating ride, but instead, due to the unsettling choice of overshadowing tones, it instead becomes one reminding the reader of inevitable failure.
With a title like The Musketeers, you would think is a story of action and adventure, but unfortunately has quickly become one of uncertainty and self-doubt. It feels like this is a runaway train, with the reader being forced to ride on one rail and not allowing for any other diversion, including any opportunity for escape or freedom from the inevitable collision. Although the trip is only beginning, the lack of exuberance within the narrative makes it feel as if the characters lack any want to tell their tale, even as art shows off an opposing excitement dampened by a sullen shadow. Hopefully, once we begin to acknowledge the actors as true heroes, the narrative will also reflect the same attitude, otherwise this title will only be dragged down by unnecessary mediocrity.
Grade: B
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: March 21, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
