Merlin always gets his way … no matter who must fall.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Joe Brusha
Artwork: Deivis Goetten
Colors: Jorge Cortes
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
Stories of Camelot have been told on Earth for ages. The Legend of King Arthur and Excalibur had long been considered nothing more than a fairy tale by most historians. But Camelot was once a real place and now the tales behind the legend will finally be revealed … and the truth of its history is much more a nightmare than a fairy tale.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
The mercenary Zodiac will go to any lengths to accomplish his contract, even it means to strike down an opponent while she is down. It is with this opportunity by which he now stands over an unconscious Skye, Guardian of the Nexus prone and defenseless, ready to deal the final blow but in no hurry as he relishes another defeat by his hands. However while this hunter is gloating over his prize, it is this arrogance which leaves himself open to an unexpected attack, a thrown book from Lockhart which he foolishly spared. It is this distraction which allows enough time for reinforcements to arrive, and with a new battlefront now formed of Shang and friends from Myst, will it be enough to push back this assassin from completing his mission?
As this conflict unfolds on Earth the heroine known as the Black Knight is in the midst of her own dilemma, having to face down pursuers also sent by their common foe Merlin. And while she may have the help of one of the local inhabitants, this man known simply as Puck still has not revealed any secrets behind his need to assist Peyton, nor the root of his hatred for the man who now seeks to take control of Camelot. Although barring the lack of information, this sprightly person has no problems defending himself, easily springing between foes as he leads this outsider to their common destination – a way out of this oppressive land. However even as they make their way to the barrier, the new Knights of the Round Table are in close pursuit, with Baba Yaga leading the way. But as the distance between groups closes, Morgan adds a new ally to assist in the chase – the witch’s chicken legged hut, which all but secures a malicious victory.
In Summary:
While I can appreciate the sophistication of this story arc, at the same time, it is this complexity which bogs down the smooth transition of the narrative. Writer Joe Brusha is trying too hard to express multiple ideas within a limited space, and as such, it feels as if the story is splitting off into several tangential elements to fulfill pieces which were left behind. When we left the last issue, Merlin was preparing to explain his need for the Holy Grail and how it was important in re-establishing the power of Camelot, and yet now that goal is misplaced – consumed by a need to catch the reader up with how the chases for our heroines is coming out. Zodiac and the new Round Table are overshadowing the main purpose, then almost as if he forgot to include an update, the Grail is mentioned in the middle pages, and then swept aside so we are once again preoccupied by the hunts. I can understand the need for dual story fronts, but then why not use separate issues focused on each component instead of watering down what could have been powerful narratives? This would have been more effective in lieu of bombarding the reader with too much information, and then slipping a segue in as if Brusha was distracted with his storytelling, all to remind us he has not forgotten the main foundation. Hopefully this overabundance of information will not become the new standard for the series and we will return to a more concentrated telling in the next issue.
Even within such a misplaced narrative, it is the gorgeous artistry of Deivis Goetten which distracts the reader with captivating illustrations and the stunning palette of Jorge Cortes that memorizes the mind with enthralling colors. From the first page your concern is caught, watching helplessly as Skye is descended upon by Zodiac, the beauty and ferocity of hero and villain enveloped within one captivating image, focusing the reader’s attention so effortlessly you cannot take your eyes off the page. But all the more enticing is the skillful usage of electric blue hues in every panel, linking the morals of Merlin and his hunter, allowing the audience to follow this tone hypnotically until we see the wizard obsessed by his power and materialization within that sparkling globe of energy. This is how you keep the reader enticed with similar tones leading along their visual narrative so effortlessly it becomes natural. However if I did have one criticism for this issue, it would be Baba Yaga’s depiction; normally she is always shown with some degree of a scowl, reflecting her determination and ambition for power, and yet when we finally see her, those features have been softened so as to disarm this sorceress of her main drive. It is disheartening to see such a foundational hardened villainess show a tinge of emotion, all due to seeing the return of her beloved hut. If this is the method by which Yaga will be portrayed in the future, this may unhinge any true malice she may have for Skye, since this white haired temptress did have uneasy truces with the Guardian. That in turn may swing the entire power dynamic of the series and maybe in the future, allowing for a shift – which would be unlikely and unwelcomed.
As we become swayed by more details within captivating imagery, you cannot but take notice that the story seems to be losing track of its main focus – Merlin’s ambition. Although it was hinted within the issue, the reader is overwhelmed by other elements all in an effort to catch them up with another goal, elimination of the heroes. While this may seem important in the long run, why muddle the narrative with too much information instead of allowing for separate books to tell the tale? This would have made more sense and allowed for a concentration of similar components, all to focus the reader toward one goal prior to distracting them and losing the trail.
Grade: B+
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: October 10, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
