Nothing is worse than people drunk on power … except when they are being manipulated.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Joe Brusha
Artwork: Marcelo Mueller
Colors: Jorge Cortes
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
With Skye’s book recently releasing many new mythical legends onto Earth. Skye’s mission to return them to their rightful places may end well before it begins! As she runs into The Three Musketeers she finds out firsthand if they still fight for justice or if they have another goal in mind altogether. Don’t miss this new story arc launch in Grimm Fairy Tales!
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
As three friends who recently acquired powers from the Book of Fables, Winter, Carmen and Diego are getting used to their abilities, however it is all too easy. While they may have adjusted to this new life, even with all the practice it is boring, as if they have been doing it forever. Although they can work out all they want, no amount of repetition will improve skills which seem ingrained into their bodies. So with a new idea the blonde swordswoman invites her companions for a night out, to see what kind of trouble they can find. It does not take long until the Three Musketeers find miscreants robbing a local jewelry store, and with great enthusiasm they quickly dispatch the hoodlums, much to their joy and obvious satisfaction. However as the trio leave after the hasty fight, it is apparent they are not the only ones amused by this group’s excursions.
With Skye still fuming as to the loss of her Book, watching these new Falsebloods in their nocturnal pursuits does not put her in a better mood. However with Shang and Sam examining the store’s footage with her, this new group has the headmaster concerned as they may be related to the theft and legends he recalls – the Age of Camelot. Although he is not sure if these people are the same as in familiar stories, the coincidence cannot be ignored, and so sends the two women to investigate. But once they confront the rebellious friends, it is soon apparent they do not want to listen to anything these strangely garbed heroines have to say, only responding with steel and force. Quickly learning they are severely outmatched, the Musketeers attempt to retreat, but will Earth’s Protector or the Guardian of the Nexus allow them any quarter?
In Summary:
Perhaps it is due to knowledge from the previously released The Musketeers , but even with this new story by Joe Brusha, it feels like we are reading flashbacks. Since the aforementioned title came out after this release, we know what happens after the conclusion, so it makes the build up and confrontation not as powerful as it should have been. While the story is provocative by allowing us to see a prequel as to how Winter, Carmen and Diego’s actions lead to their escape, at the same time it has a lack of character development which denies us true enjoyment via a plausible transition as to how they accepted their new powers. From the last issue we got a brief glimpse and now with a full story dedicated to the trio, it would have been better to elaborate as to what happened between the activation and how they learned to use these new powers, instead of leaping head first after a week of practice. For now it is not quite believable, even if the characters feel like they were born with these gifts, it still does not mean there were some stumbles along the way, which would have allowed the reader to better connect with these new actors to this foreign stage.
For an issue which seems more driven by actions than character narrative, this story still has its memorable moments, and illustrator Marcelo Mueller makes them stand out with his dynamically frenetic figures. You have to admire his command of the female form, every woman in this issue is beautiful and yet, there is an underlying strength and determination which makes them demand respect, even as you stare in stunned appreciation of their every movement and alluring smiles. However on the opposing side of his technique we have men who appear to be disappointed in their depictions, always wearing a scowl or dazed look of confusion. And yet colorist Jorge Cortes treats both sexes equally, which is at times good but also a bad thing since he uses darker shades and shadows to full advantage. You cannot but be amazed by the details he emphasizes with each panel, allowing for undertones to magnify each luscious curve of the women, but those same tones make the men appear to almost have a sinister look in their caricatures. And yet those same forceful colors also help the fight scenes to be all the more wondrous, with energetic blasts of neon and clashes of steel almost burst off the page. If you need to tell a story with amazing conflict propelled panels, this is the way to do it.
The Three Musketeers have made their impact on the Guardian and Protector, and it was not one which will soon be forgotten. With Skye still worried as to the state of her Book, this issue shows the person controlling it has mixed intentions which will not be known for quite some time. However it is this confusion which makes the waiting all the more tolerable, even as we wonder if the realms will be able to survive without its savior and her most powerful weapon on the wrong side of the Order.
Grade: A
Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: April 4th, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
