Pirates can never be trusted …. even if they are also pirates.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Joe Brusha
Artwork: Sergio Ariño
Colors: Dijjo Lima
Letters: Kurt Hathaway
What They Say:
Captain Sable and her crew have overcome one danger after another in the pursuit of the galaxy’s most valuable treasure. But now, with their goal within reach, all that stands between them and it is the deadliest pirate space has ever seen … the notorious Captain Blood.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
As the alliance with Captain Blood begins to take shape, the trio arrive on the planet where the Korvarian fuel cells are located, but not without a twist in the plan. While Blake may be trusting, that cannot be the same for his partner as he springs his trap to deal with any competition. Releasing a nest of ferocious beetles causes chaos to break loose, leaving every man and woman for themselves … even as the cyborg calls for help, leaving his brigand brethren behind. As each player makes their own escape, Major Karr has her own problems as Officer Stanas begins to show his impatience, demanding results within the hour. Challenging the Fiend and its captain to surrender, the two fleets face off, allowing Sable to sneak onboard the Alpha Corporation’s flagship to find her own ship and crew.
While the two adversaries face off in space, Sable dashes off to free her crew and orders Blake to find the Fury, plus anything else can to disable the Major’s ship. Though the unlikely pair may be cooperating now, it is unfortunate the Captain gets the more dangerous option as she finally faces off with Reaver, malice between them not lost since their last meeting. As swords clash and explosions rock the frigate, the roguish opportunist does his own part to shift the balance of power by sabotaging whatever he can, all to give Sable a fighting chance. Although it may seem the odds are against the pirates, you can never count one out as long as there is a possibility of success … no matter how slim.
In Summary:
With this being the penultimate issue for the series, it is now time for writer Joe Brusha to pull out all the stops, no matter how cliché they may seem for this story genre. As we all know within this type of tale when criminals face off for the same prize, it will only be a matter of time before betrayal comes the forefront, no matter which side can be expected. Pirates and the Alpha Corporation, while both may boast they are fighting for their own version of justice, who is to say who is right and which is wrong? Both seem corrupt and neither has any predominantly redeemable factors which allow them to say they are the ones who do the most good – if at all. Now with the final elements of the narrative falling into place, the tale is blurring the lines as to who we should cheer for, although Sable seems to be the obvious title’s favorite. Readers also have no idea as to each faction’s motivations, brigands we know their driving force, but Major Karr is a bit more complex as she now reveals her true allegiance … so what will happen is just as questionable Brusha makes it out to be – as changing as the tides.
Even with an overly complex tale such as this, amazingly talented artist Sergio Ariño does not release us from the supremely detailed intensity which he interweaves into its pages. From the start he has us within his grasp, crafting panels which transition smoothly with an action filled melodrama that delivers a story worthy of gracing any large screen, making readers care as to what happens to the characters. And yet the element which solidifies the portrayal is the wondrous colorful display presented by Dijjo Lima, making the audience forget this is a flat medium due to the richness of his palette. This combination of skills envelopes the reader, casting us into the vivacity of the scene, making one wonder what happens next within the labyrinthine plot which guides this story. Even if you are periodically distracted by comical special effect text which seem out of place within this magnificent space opera, you cannot but ignore it all to enjoy the thunderous satisfaction which this team displays in its full and enticing grandeur.
As we near the end of our journey and the treasure has been revealed, The Black Sable continues to elude a need to involve the audience, by instead projecting a story which presents action without a desire to care for the characters. Although Sable and Blake seem to acknowledge a begrudging obligation toward each other, the reader cannot form an attachment due to a lack of information and/or knowing their motivations. Instead it surges headlong without allowing us to catch our breath, not waiting for stragglers and only wanting to reach the finish line as soon as possible. Hopefully we will be allowed the chance for understanding within the finale, otherwise this title will lack the luster which it deserves to finish this tale in dazzling galactic splendor.
Grade: B+
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: March 28, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
