Never give up on hope … no matter how desperate things may appear.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Chuck Dixon
Artwork: Julius Abrera
Colors: Robby Bevard
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
After a daring and dangerous escape from a sadistic super-max prison, Robyn is finally back home where she belongs. But as she re-acclimates to her “normal” life in New York City, a new evil has been released and Marian Quin needs Robyn’s help to send it back from where it came… But this battle is about to get more personal than either of these friends could have imagined, and nothing will ever be the same!
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
The person once know as Mexican tycoon Germán Villaraigosa has now shown his true colors, exposing himself as a fervent zealot with the obsessive goal of freeing his master Quetzalcoatl upon the world … and it has come true. The winged serpent god is now loose and his high priest proudly proclaims he is dedicated to serve him, granting permission to rule as he sees fit. However Robyn and Marian have arrived on the scene and they will not allow this madman to ignore one unmistakable fact – these selfless heroines will impede this creature from running rampant in downtown San Diego. The two separate: one to attempt a ritual to confine the beast and the other to provide distraction, they are determined their goals must unite for one purpose – stop Big Q from ravaging the city by any means necessary. Although as both prepare, the sole admirer of this monstrous deity does what is expect and grants his worshipper all which he requested, a reward fitting for his services in this world, allowing Gerry to proceed as herald in the next.
But as Detective Williams arrives with reinforcements to protect the public, there is one other who makes an unexpected appearance, the one the witch has been trying to free – Sam and her unwelcomed visitor. Yet as the police try their best to deter the beast, with nothing but annoyance coming from their vain attempts, they were answered with a menacing roar and plumes of scorching flames. As if to answer the futility of the blockade, the possessed lover taunts her former partner, stating mockingly Sam is no longer here and in turn, she has grown bored of this place. With a gentle gesture, the powerful being causes Marian to pass out and walks confidently away into the fracas, turning her back on the only connection she and her host have to this world, defiantly proclaiming this will be the last they will see each other. Contemptuously striding forward, she ignores all warnings and boldly gives an ominous one of her own: flee this place and prepare to serve the victor. Can this be the end or is it just the start of a new beginning?
In Summary:
From the beginning, I thought Robyn Hood: The Curse would be an ambiguous title with writer Chuck Dixon splitting off so many inconsequential tangents, but now that the narrative has come full circle, I am glad it satisfyingly came to fruition, if with a somewhat bittersweet conclusion. While Robyn coming to San Diego to help Marian expanded the possibilities of the main storyline, at the same time it felt as if Gerry’s involvement was an afterthought, placing Sam’s possession at the forefront, until the two concepts kept switching place in importance. Although in afterthought the contrasting elements do make sense, while the story was building, these divergent themes appeared to suffer as our attention kept shifting with the reader never knowing they would finally converge. It is this indecision which makes the narrative shaky at times, concentrating on Robyn and Gerry’s blossoming relationship which never went anywhere, only to change gears when we needed excitement by allowing Sam to escape from any number of facilities and go on another murder spree. I wish Dixon could have focused on one side story at a time instead of constantly transposing between the two antagonists within the same issue; this would have allowed for more emphasis on a singular foe and therefore concentrated their plans more effectively, instead of allowing for a disarray of what on the surface looks like a thinly veiled curtain of confusion.
However what truly cements this title is the underlying strength of Robyn and Marian’s relationship – something which I have sincerely missed since their last outing in the primary series. It was this friendship which made the characters so relatable and heartwarming, to see a girl from Earth and a witch from Myst come together to seek out injustices, and yet in the end, their friendship evolved into something akin to being sisters. But when the two separated and began new lives apart, the emotional complexity in Robyn’s existence collapsed, and while she did partner with other companions, the richness was missing, only having them accompany the archer so as to make the fights easier and more exciting. But once our favorite sorceress was introduced within Dixon’s story, something absent was re-ignited and made us remember what made Robyn Hood such a captivating heroine. Marian Quin is defined by: her spirited exuberance, optimism which her archer friend lacks, an enthusiastic zeal for never giving up no matter how bad the odds may seem and most of all … the compassion for Sam and Robyn, her closest friends; she never gives up on the ones she loves and in return, she expects the same benevolence in return or for those who are in turn suffering. It is this open heart which makes her such a humane person, as compared to Robyn who at times seems uncaring unless the moment suits her, especially as of late. Compassion versus headstrong attitude, quirky sense of humor versus obstinate seriousness, steadfast determination versus leap first and ask questions later persona – all of these seemingly opposing traits counterbalance and this is what makes the pair so charmingly touching. They know either one will do anything for the other or any who they luckily consider friends, and this what makes their relationship so rich and rewarding, for both themselves and the readers.
But as this wondrous title comes to a melodramatic close, you cannot deny it was the phenomenal talent of Julius Abrera who played a major part in satisfying readers’ undeniable appetite to return each month for a visually stimulating fiesta. His provocative use of emotive displays which compose the nature of humanity, spectacularly ominous or uplifting imagery that evoke primal passion, or simplistic drawings of cruelty, they are utilized to their utmost, all to progress the story with domineering precision; whether they be transitive panels, full splash pages or excellence spread across an inspiring pair, all of these illustrations hold their own importance in the narrative as a whole. However, they are all made more pronounced by the coldness of gripping shadows, enrobing the reader within the dynamic tension of matching frenzy and extenuating every muscle and delicious feminine curve. Each illustration emboldens the characters, emphasizing their undeniable strength, but especially the beautiful women which Abrera elevates to a new level – allowing them to stand over or on par with the diabolical Gerry and chilling Sam with all her new otherworldly allure. Abrera’s brilliant artwork expands the typical graphic narrative and expounds into a presentation which reminds the reader of Hollywood entertainment: over the top exploits, excitement which feels like it will explode from the page and actors who are more realistic than everyday life – you can feel the fervor within the story, with every compelling emotion displayed in all its symphonic grandeur and pageantry.
(And at this time I would like to delineate my appreciation for Julius Abrera’s magnificent work for Zenescope, since this sadly will be his last series for the company. During his tenure I have come to greatly appreciate his depiction of the human form from a new vantage point, especially his ability to create gripping outward expressions of beloved characters which made them, especially the beauty of luscious women, to match the indomitable strength of their persevering personalities. To see such defining portrayals of people we have known for so long depicted with such fervor allows the reader to see a new light shine upon them, allowing for a new curtain to be drawn upon their strength with enthusiasm which made them all the more greatly appreciated.
I wish Julius the best of luck in all his future endeavors and sincerely hope he will succeed in whatever he may face in the near future.)
And yet within all of this wondrous artistry, nothing would be as engaging without the apocalyptic palette masterfully manipulated by Robby Bevard’s talented skills. While the illustrations may have set the stage for this sobering tale, it is the dark richness of his austere organic tones which anchor the visual elements and allow them to leap off the page which such ominous audacity. Every panel drags the reader deeper into the story, with the manipulation of demonic tones making everything within this issue all the more desperate, allowing for this excursion to seem much more terrifying the longer it develops. The exquisite angling of light sources allows every scene to become transitive, knowing the longer events drag out, the more hopeless they will become. Although Big Q seems to have the upper hand, that panel of Sam lording over Marian with the sparkling purple eyes signals something is coming, and we may not want to know what could be worse than a flying snake. Every color has a purpose and they extend the tension until the very end, allowing for the audience to accept the conclusion for all of its unsettling and mystifying nothingness.
Robyn Hood: The Curse may have seemed like another series about our favorite archer, but as it re-ignites the underlying premise of camaraderie between Robyn and Marian, the title blossoms into something all the more genuine. While it did have some missteps with too many side stories to develop essential components, the story does coalesce into a tale worthy of our heroines, even if the ending appears too coincidental to rush towards a haphazard conclusion; with their lives now connected once again, in foresight this seems to have been the intention from the beginning, never giving readers an ending which is wholly satisfying, but instead geared toward an inevitable sequel. As such we are left with a finale which is bittersweet, allowing for all of the hints of some kind of cure for Sam, but only to have that desire cruelly ripped away when it appears nothing else can help to give us a well meaning closure.
Grade: A-
Series Grade: A-
Age Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: July 04, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
