Even if you think there is light at the end of the tunnel … you never know what else there.
Creative Staff:
Writer: LaToya Morgan
Artwork: Daniel Mainé
Colors: Leonardo Paciarotti
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
The battle is on as Robyn barely claws her way out of another near-death situation, only to be thrown back into the never-ending turmoil that is her new prison island life. With her enemies finally gaining ground on our hooded archer, she is put to the ultimate test of survival that even Robyn Locksley may not be able to emerge from this time.
Content (please note that portions of a review may contain spoilers):
With one of the Dungeon’s bloodhounds having captured Miller and Zoë now showing her true colors, it does not seem as if Robyn has much chance of escaping. The telekinetic prisoner now has her former cellmate in her clutches, all due to a promise from warden, but is this what it seems? Once Salina frees the prison guard, he accidently drops the controller to the power cancelling shackles, which the turncoat now orders her friend to pick up. It is only now do things become more confusing as she tells the archer to lock down the red head – which of course stirs up confusion from both sides. Seeing no other alternative, Robyn clicks the innocuous button, immediately canceling the pursuer’s abilities, leaving her to confront her fellow escapee to release Miller.
Once the two confront each other to clear the air as to who is doing what and which side Zoë is really on, it takes the gruff prison guard to offer a fitting solution … and an unexpected revelation. It is only after he shows his true identity do we see the truth behind the prison break and what obstacles were introduced by the archer’s cellmate. However now that everyone is one the same page, the trio joins forces with one guiding goal – to find the portal off the island. As they make their way to the far edge of the facility, it is soon apparent the path has been too easy, with no traps or other prisoners to bar the way. It is only then does the final bloodhound show his eight arachnid legs, with a sinister grin on an appropriately malformed and grotesque face. He may think he is a match for these three little girls, but is this foe underestimating strength in numbers, or is he just too confident for his own good?
In Summary:
Now that we nearing the end of the series, writer LaToya Morgan is free to enlighten us as to how the prison break began and who was behind it. However by that same token, she also reveals a plot twist which seems overused – the inside man to help the plan move along more smoothly. While this cliché may have been expected, the revelation as to who Robyn’s helper was welcomed and deserving of praise by showing the audience that even this standard can be surprising, depending on how it is approached. Although this new addition does help to raise the level of action, the character is minor when compared to Locksley’s other friends’ enthusiasm and their willingness to leap into the fray. This blonde savior may have the initiative to help, but her role is more of support role than front line fighter, so her daring show in this issue seems more reckless than heroic. At the same time, it makes one wonder why she doesn’t use her own unique skills within the story since she doesn’t wear a set of shackles, which would prohibit any skills. It she did let loose, I have a feeling the ending would have drastically changed, but at the same time, it would have drawn the tension away from Robyn.
Even with a familiar story, we are once again inspired by the engrossing artwork of Daniel Mainé to grab our attention from the start and colorist Leonardo Paciarotti only making the opening pages all the more enticing. However, if I did have an objection for this issue, it would be choice of colors for that same scene – the darkness of the jungle may have been appropriate to show intense action, but then to layer electric neon pink on top makes it feel like the event is occurring within a rave, all you need is booming techopop and it would be complete. Although I can understand the need for a bright tint to denote unearthly powers, looking at the selection within the gloominess of that scene does change the intensity of the action, focusing the eye on that illustrative component and nothing else; while it does help at times, it also makes one stare at Miller when you should be paying attention to other parts of the picture. It is only after the big reveal does the coloring turn back to normal, with more pronouncedly dark lines from Mainé’s work, projecting an intensity which compensates for Paciarotti’s enthusiasm for his beautiful colors.
Now that any hopes for escape have been successfully dashed upon the rocks below, we cannot think from desperation as to what will happen next. Robyn has been lead down this path before and to her credit has escaped, even if it may have been by the skin of her teeth. But now that she been captured with her friends and any success is tempered by their safety, what can she do against the bloodhounds and the Executioner? Only time can tell and another month of painful waiting to see who will come out on top.
Grade: B+
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: November 29, 2017
MSRP: $3.99
