Cindy is a girl who wants to have some fun … too bad she doesn’t play well with others.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Dave Franchini
Artwork: Salvatore Cuffari
Colors: Leonardo Paciarotti
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
Cindy is determined to paint the world red with the blood of every good Highborn who ever crossed her. Next up on her list: Cindy goes back to school to take on Shang and the class of Arcane Acre. And there be hell to pay for anyone who stands in her way.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Cindy enjoys fulfilling Voodoo’s plan, plus she gets to destroy plenty of people she never really liked in the first place. Before it was New York City where Robyn’s friends fell by her blade and now it is Bryn Athyn. They thought they were safe within the confines of Arcane Acre, but then again, the students never faced someone as determined as this blonde psychopath. So she begins her assault simply with an ice cream truck through the wall … and a certain Kavari is the first to fall. He never had a chance, but when Mary witnesses the carnage, she will not allow Wiglaf’s death to go unchallenged. While the Realm Knights try to keep this sadist occupied within her Danse Macabre, Mystere prepares to avenge her boyfriend’s demise. But does she really stand a chance against this deranged assassin?
It is only now does the flaxen sword woman remember the briefing for this mission, and her employer’s explicit instructions: Leave Mary Medina unharmed. The big problem is that Cindy never did like rules, but in this case, she might follow them – if she feels like it. However, as they stroll through the graveyard, this setup seems to become more appealing, especially when they reach the hideout. It is here where she meets Marie, the High Priestess of the Tarot and also the person responsible for saving her from the underworld. But with her first words, this new member of The Order does not give the best of impressions, and neither are impressed with the other. Although she may be necessary to accomplish their goals, even the all powerful Judgment will not put up with her mischief for long. She is walking on a thin thread … let us just hope that she can live up to her agreement, otherwise, the results may not be so pleasant – even for Cindy!
In Summary:
We are ankle deep in blood within this second issue and writer Dave Franchini has yet to disappoint with the grand scheme of the Order of Tarot. As we sink deeper and deeper within the delusions of Cindy, more heroes fall by her sword, so you still have to wonder if this is reality. Thus far she has wiped out Robyn’s allies and now she is after the students of Arcane Acre, who else on Earth can she destroy? Not that she really cares, as long as she can feel the satisfying bite of flesh and bone upon her steel, but of course, any method of destruction will suffice for this reaper. All the while she cracks jokes, laughs while more fall before her and banters with the corpses which lay strewn across the landscape … classic Cindy. Even if we may subconsciously reject her definition of fun, we as readers cannot but help to grin as we watch her leveling more people – all with a smile on her face. It is this guiltless humor which makes this issue so entertaining: no one is safe from her wrath, she has no respect for anyone and most of all, she feels no guilt or responsibility for anything she has done. This freedom is in itself liberating and while we as sane people would not even attempt to do such things, you cannot but feel jealous for her lack of inhibitions.
Even as a conscionable person reads this issue, you cannot but help to appreciate the sheer beauty of carnage which Salvatore Cuffari presents to us within these pages. Between those fleeting moments of feigned regret, Cindy shows insincere times when she might present herself as human, but once the switch is flipped, forget that it ever happened. Everything within this book is a big joke for her, leaping from each obstacle, dancing against the tide as her foes attempt to guard against her onslaught, with it all being for naught. Cindy’s expressions help to attach each panel to the next: her face reflecting joy, annoyance, determination or sadistic pleasure, with nothing hidden from the audience. And yet while she may seem to alone in this massacre, the colors of Leonardo Paciarotti react to this deadly ballerina’s performance, showing off her talent within the appropriately gruesome scenery which his palette displays before us. We are not overwhelmed by the sheer amount of crimson, it is balanced by the temperament of the story, displaying a canvas of raw ferocity dressed within sky blue and the desperation of those who were unlucky to fall before her sword. The gore is portrayed by tasteful, if that is at all possible, images of hatred for life and yet they are spectacular in their sheer audacity.
Cindy may be the one who will allow them to fulfill their dark plan, but can even the Order of Tarot control this blonde murderess? Her perception of morality left a long time ago and her loyalty is something which can only be gained by someone who she respects, but so far there is no one in that position, not even the Editor himself! The warped sense of humor which is interwoven between splashes of blood keeps this series together, but will we ever grow tired of the endless slaughter? Hopefully, not anytime soon.
Grade: A
Rating: For Mature Readers
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: January 25th, 2017
MSRP: $3.99