If you are ever in doubt … always look to your heart to see the truth.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Meredith Finch
Artwork: Ig Guara
Colors: Triona Farrell
Letters: Cardinal Rae
What They Say:
As Rose struggles to prove her worthiness to become a Guardian, she is forced to make a heart-wrenching decision. Felix is stunned when a ghost from Ila’s past attempts to prevent his escape from the evil queen’s grip. And Drucilla is about to get her heart’s desire. All this in the next exciting chapter of ROSE.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Even as Rose continues her Ritual of Illumination within the isolation of an unknown fog, Dante and Thorne themselves are undergoing their own trials, one of tolerance and the other of patience. However it is soon apparent the man is capable of coping with his test via reserved dignity, but the khat is not so lucky when he is overwhelmed by the toxin which threatens to tear Ttereve apart – the vile poison which is Drucilla. As her grasp over the feline grows, he has easily slain his host and now roams unbidden, free to wander and return to his new mistress, without any qualms to stop his progress. There is none who observe this departure, even a seasoned warrior such as Simon is unaware of the change, too absorbed in his own restless contemplation of self-doubt to stop a fellow protector. It is only the Queen who has reason to celebrate, knowing a worthy servant is on his way, eager to relish her victory which none could have readily foreseen.
But as the young Guardian is taught a lesson in respecting the prosperity of the land and its inhabitants above herself, an ominous voice signals the end and a new beginning. It is then when Rose notices an ornate mirror frame, its shimmering surface reflecting visions of what she expects from the future – the defeat of the Queen. However as she watches images of righteous victory pass before her eyes, an opposing version becomes clear … and the underlying meaning of her quest is revealed, one for revenge. After all, it was this ruler’s corrupt ambitions which caused her to lose everything she valued, from a secure life of happiness to the love of a caring mother, and now the opportunity to show Drucilla equal cruelty is at hand. But as she watches her opposing likeness’ face twist in anger, it is only then do the consequences of those actions become clear with the fallen form of Thorne, quickly replaced by an equally chilling portrayal of her khat joining the corruption. However, as she begins to question these improbable possibilities, the leader of Priests of Tera reveals himself from within the mists. He states the mirror only shows potential prospects, but they are fueled by the Guardian’s decisions, for good or bad, they all lead to a possible future for Ttereve. It is up to Rose to make the choice if she does what she knows is right or what she desires for her own selfish dreams. Which one is the correct path – and how will this unlikely heroine become the savior or destroyer of the land.
In Summary:
From the beginning of this series, writer Meredith Finch has always offered an optimistic view for naive girl Rose and her outlook on life, until a destiny was revealed as being intertwined with the future of Ttereve. And as she becomes more comfortable being the Guardian, her responsibilities and the implications have now opened a new world of suffering as she accepts who she must become – a protector and savior. It is only as the conflict between herself and Drucilla grows does she realize there are others more vulnerable who are caught in the crossfire, but as we venture into this story, it suddenly becomes clear those closest to her who are also targets for the Queen’s vile ambitions, namely Thorne. It is so intensely moving to see how Rose reacts to this kidnapping, especially after she has been exposed to the true weight of her burden, but even more so as we see how her own decisions can affect the outcome and which paths will ultimately bring forth the greatest loss and highest gains, no matter what may be lost in the process.
We are all familiar with this concept of how one’s choices will shape what will occur in the fullness of time, but none are more so percussive as those of the hero. Rose now begins to understand how revenge taints the purity of justice, but at the same time, it is those emotions which drive us to seek vengeance that become the force to propel us to do the best for ourselves and others. You cannot but begrudgingly understand Rose’s dilemma, the shame of wanting to exact retribution for all of the wrongs Drucilla has caused, but at the same time, wonder if it is the right thing to do if it affects something more profound by ending the threat. The import of this charge being placing upon such young shoulders is earth-shaking, wondering if she can even attempt to balance such responsibility for someone as inexperienced as herself also makes ourselves as readers wonder if she is up to the task. However at the same time within such admirable stories we have seen how a brash, or in Rose’s case – unsure, heroine makes mistakes and it is those stumbles which fortify them to do greater things by way of redeeming themselves for the suffering them have unduly caused or more costly, the death of innocents. While I hope Finch will not make the latter choice, I sincerely am looking forward to seeing how she nurtures Rose into the person we all know she can and wish to be for the future of Ttereve and her friends.
Even within such a promising issue involving self-doubt and mixed feelings, you cannot but be overly impressed by the ominous opening of Thorne depicted with such unadulterated raw power by Ig Guara and spectacular colors from Triona Farrell which evokes a chilling sight, all with the elegant simplicity of neon blue eyes and collar. You can feel strength pulsing beneath his black fur, blood dripping from his fangs, and while you may not want to remember what happened previously, this insightful image needs no words to communicate something disastrous has happened. It is the talent of these individuals which makes Rose such a pleasure to visually digest … and it only gets better from there. Drucilla, the woman we have grown to hate even more as the narrative progress is in all of her magnificent glory, a beautiful woman in her own right now shows how despicable she truly is – all as she tilts her back and you can almost hear her cackling in the victory. This scene truly defines how much she has been twisted from the sweet girl and into a tyrannical maniac, and what makes it all the more perverted is her being accompanied by the woman who started it all … the handmaiden Dolora. It was only a few issues ago when we saw how Dru was turned away by this cruel nurse, all to protect a weakened mother, but also to be the last time she saw the woman she truly loved. This event defines who the Queen is now – a person who will use anyone she deems worthy, even an enemy, and it is made all the more effective when Farrell encompasses Guara’s wondrously creepy images of death with royal purple, anchoring the reign of this depraved woman. But at the same time, the same color which signifies dignity is devolved into something all the more depraved as the tone is magnified by luminous ethereal tones to show the lengths by which she will go to gain the upper hand, all in the name for power.
But we cannot forget Rose, while we may be suffocated by the disturbing images before, her lighthearted smile and caring features make you want to remember this is a story about hope. However, as we descend into the depths of the Ritual, so too do Guara and Farrell delve into the darkness which threatens to engulf our heroine. You cannot but feel unsettled in seeing the normally optimistic girl who was always smiling become someone almost unrecognizable, her charming visage rattled by the images she sees within the mirror. It is amazing how as the last remnants of innocence now crumble away, so too does the atmosphere become notably gloomy with the simple addition of a subtle grey film. This foreboding event makes us remember Rose all too is human, affected by the same influences of emotion when the right triggers are pushed to make her realize it is not only her friends which depend on her, but so too the whole of Ttereve. It is shocking to see her sweet face become mired in anger, signaling the past we once remember is now gone, with Rose and us as readers needing to steel ourselves for the cruel reality that is to come.
While we may have been caught up within the magnificence of a story of full of hope and innocence, it is only now does the monumental epic saga which is Rose become something which is truly worthy of being a classic of graphic literature. With a praiseworthy plot shift which changes the whole dynamic, Finch, Guara and Farrell do not sacrifice on what makes this title one of my all-time favorites. They do not depend on what motivates most comics dependent on action or violence to drive a character, but instead utilize something which should be at the forefront of all great narratives … human emotion and the need to make a difference. These factors are the driving force of Rose’s enduring personality and why I cannot get enough of her tale, then add a villain who you truly love to hate and it only makes the wait for the next issue all the more painful and yet memorable.
Grade: A++
Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Image Comics
Release Date: April 11, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
