Never underestimate the Warrior Princess … especially when she’s trying to save an innocent.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Erica Schultz
Artwork: Vicente Cifuentes
Colors: Periya Pilla
Letters: Cardinal Rae
What They Say:
What could Nazar have done to set the Oracles out to kill her? Maybe she really DID kill her sister. But Xena and Gabrielle can’t fight the assassins AND keep Nazar safe, so the Warrior Princess calls in a favor … with the Amazons!?
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
In a fevered dream, Nazar remembers events from ten years ago, when she and her sister Jacoba were playing in the forest and the budding prophetess had a vision, leaving the child reeling in pain. Unable to stand the torment, her sibling leaves in a panic to fetch their parents, which ultimately causes an untimely death. Now as a grieving family watch as the funeral pyre sends their beloved kin to Elysium, the confused girl quickly grabs her sister’s favorite doll from the flames, a treasured memento of that tragic day. However as the past lingers with the present, the malicious Oracle uses that same keepsake for a more vindictive purpose – summoning messengers of death to eliminate her competition, the one who stands in her way for total control over Delphi.
As Xena and Gabrielle watch over an exhausted Nazar, neither can understand why such a frail juvenile is in trouble, but the bard cannot but want to help her, much to the Warrior Princess’ hesitation. When she first met the child, there was a moment when Xena felt as if she looked into her heart, making her wary to trust this young victim, even as Gabby jokes as to thinking her friend had one to begin with in the first place. When she finally wakes up, the anguished girl begins to relate her story after greedily wolfing down offered food, relating the problems her visions have caused, even to the extent of her parents thinking she is possessed and offered for sacrifice. However as Gabrielle tries to comfort her, one of the created assassins bursts forth and attempts to kill the child, screaming for her death. The monstrosity easily overpowers both guardians and it is only through a surprise attack that Xena finally manages to dispatch the creature, which eerily melts away upon defeat. Seeing no other chance to vanquish such a stupendous challenger, the group head to the only ones who can offer asylum, but their arrival is instead warmly meet with an errant shaft aimed to kill. The Amazons do not welcome strangers to their territory, and even more so when they see the Warrior Princess – one who has much to answer for against these aggrieved female warriors. With such a reputation, will they help or turn away those who seek aid … only time can tell.
In Summary:
As we delve deeper into the trauma plagued life of Nazar, you cannot but become emotionally invested to this young girl, and hope she will succeed in the end – a fitting Xena tale crafted by talented writer Erica Schultz. The main reason I watched this show, aside from the crazy action scenes, skimpy outfits and a strong female lead, were the sympathetic stories which impelled the Warrior Princess on her path for redemption. To see this tradition carried on, although at times with hesitant regret and comical jabs as to her friend’s harshness by Gabby, is why this title succeeds on many fronts and motivates the reader to continue with the series in such a desirable method. At the forefront we have the damsel in distress, rescued by heroic adventurers who try to have fun along the way, even if her brunette companion will have nothing of the situation, but the underlying theme is still human greed and need for power. While I do miss the gods selfishly interjecting their desires for their own entertainment, these mortal concerns have a more meaningful motive to allow humans to solve their own problems, even as they rely on the deities to guide their lives. This basal concept gives a more satisfying narrative and provides a story which shows people can solve their own problems, even as they are the true cause.
Even with such a moving story, it is still Vicente Cifuentes’ stirring illustrations which grasp the audience’s attention and do not let go from the opening page. To visually see Nazar’s suffering caused by her gifts and the tragedy which they cause, both from her sister’s death and consequently her parents thinking she is possessed, makes the reader sympathize all the more once we see her emotions so eloquently presented in harsh reality. And yet they are made all the more repercussive once colorist Periya Pilla applies her somber reflections with equally ferocity in sobering organic richness, allowing us to absorb the tragedy in tonal hatred. Although the display for our young visionary was earnest, what monumentally is the most powerful scene are the Oracles making their jealousy and hostility manifest through their despicable ritual – the summoning of the assassins. You can feel the anger of the twins, their faces and actions contorted in such delicious detail by Cifuentes and the images burdened in suffocating darkness by Pilla’s domineering palette, all made the more eerie by selective illumination of torchlight. But what makes the event all the more heartbreaking is to see their sacrifice, the treasured doll being torn asunder by these maleficent beings, in a vain effort to keep control of their vanishing world. It is amazing how this skillful team was able to create a chilling event, resentment made material all for some self perceived grudge, and I for one cannot wait to see how it will play out.
Who would have guessed a child’s tragedy could turn into such a stirring story with equally arousing artwork, all having a synergistic effect to make for an emotionally investing arc. To see Nazar at such a young age forced to deal loss, pain and suffering is moving, and then to have Xena and Gabby protect her from malice given form grants the reader a tale which is satisfying on so many level you cannot put it down. But as we come to the end with a gripping cliffhanger, you know something even more exciting is yet to come, and I for one cannot wait to see how the tale will draw to a wondrous close.
Grade: A-
Rating: T+ (for Teens Plus)
Released By: Dynamite
Release Date: August 08, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
