A modern retelling of a classic fairy tale.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Meredith Finch
Art: Miguel Mendonca
What They Say:
Do you know the real story of the Little Mermaid? When a young mermaid findsherself captured, her world will turn upside down and she will need to find the courage to confront her fears or perish at the hands of evil.
Content (please note that portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The classic understory of political intrigue makes its way into our melodrama. We all know how Disney chose to timidly deal with it in the film, but Finch’s method to flesh out the Sea Witch’s motives serves to give us a breath into her reasons for hating the noble family. This catalyst also gives us an inkling into her dark character and later, how she will avenge herself for being exiled.
Now with the introduction of a forbidden romance and the need for our slippery sorceress’ help to procure a means to that end, the issue reaches its zenith as the prince of Atlantis Issoro must ask for her help. A Faustian bargain is reached as we all shudder to think what she will ask for when the time is right; we all know she will take full advantage of such a bargain, much to our now aquatic king’s chargin.
Cue dramatic music. Come on … we all knew that this would happen!
As darkness falls under the sea and it now percolating within the laboratory, you have to wonder if both will have similar agendas: the Sea Witch manipulating the young lovers and the scientists with a horrified mermaid. Will they come to a head or will the two forces join against a similar enemy?
In Summary:
Mendonca continues to brilliantly illustrate Finch’s moving story with the shifting themes of warm oceans and sterile laboratories like the ebb and flow of the unceasing tides. But now, the two worlds seem to be merging as it becomes difficult to differentiate between the distant realms. Converging themes make one ideology perfectly clear: Darkness will always overcome if it allowed to flourish in the Light.
This synergistic dichotomy of warmth and cold is constantly reflected throughout the issue: the comforting seas, forbidden love, humanity for a young merman, a price gleaned from the Sea Witch and redemption of that favour.
And yet, all is eclipsed by the final pages: leaving the laboratory with the doom of pending death, Erica returns to her lonely prison but a glimmer of light shines down upon her: Hope.
Can’t wait for next month!
Grade: A+
Rating: 16+
Released By: Zenescope via ComiXology
Release Date: March 25th, 2015
MSRP: $3.99
