No matter what the odds … Belle always fights back!
Creative Staff:
Writer: Dave Franchini
Artwork: Bong Dazo
Colors: Juan Manuel Rodriguez
Letters: Kurt Hathaway
What They Say:
From hunter to hunted, Belle’s world has just been turned upside down, and her fight for her own survival has begun! Spinning from the shocking events of last issue, Belle is alone and on the defensive. After nearly surviving an attack, she must get to the bottom of this monster-driven mystery aimed on ending her existence. That is if she can make it out of her current situation alive!
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
After returning from her last mission, Belle returns to find her mysterious hideout in shambles, with Candlestick struggling to stay alive. But as she tries to comfort her injured friend, a fiend from the deep attacks without provocation, tearing apart the rest of their beloved home and threatening to drown our heroine. Even as she fights for air, there remains one thought in the back of her mind – never give up. With lungs ready to burst, she finally breaks the surface and wades to the nearest piece of driftwood, surveying the surroundings at was once her comfort within the battle of beasts, and swearing to avenge her beloved mentor. However even as she tries to catch her breath, the many tentacles of the submerged creature does not allow her that pleasure, instead dragging beneath once again for a new confrontation. It is only by sheer luck does Belle spot an axe drifting nearby, allowing respite and chance for escape by severing the tendril and granting another chance for rest.
Reserves near their limit, the woman once known as Anabelle DiMarco once again struggles to the nearest shore, shrugging off the bloody arm still gripping her leg in disgust. Even as she attempts to ponder her next move and welcoming air back into her body, an ominous silence breaks as the behemoth retches forth more minions to end the stalemate. With flames crackling in the background and explosions echoing in the distance, Belle forges forward not breaking stride, gently bantering to her nameless foes to disarm the tension. But as the slug-like brutes roar forth their defiance, our protector shrugs off the response and scoops up the same weapon, determined to answer their rude response with equal brutality. Three against one may seem unequal odds, but DiMarco does not hesitate, viciously swinging forth her cleaving blade with little effort, resulting in limbs flying through the air. But even as she seems to have the upper hand, disgusting tendrils fasten her limbs, even as the monster’s nauseating bulk pins her to the ground. While one opponent may have been dispatched, the other two converge, their foul stench overwhelming as the weight of one immobilizes our heroine as the other slithers forward. Is this the end or will there be another avenue for exit between the smothering masses of monstrous menace?
In Summary:
Even as I re-read this issue to pick up more nuances, it is amazing to conceive that unlike other secondary books, this one is better than the first. The previous publications by writer Dave Franchini may have introduced us to the character known as Belle, but it is this one which reinforces the determination and underlying persona that makes her such a domineering and welcome heroine. While Zenescope may have other comparable strong female leads, the woman known as Anabelle DiMarco stands above them as my favorite with an enduring legacy, from her equally forceful mother. Although others like Liesel or Skye may have had family members who lead the way for their children, both influenced respectively by a father or mother who left behind old grudges, they still had their parents who blazed a path for their future, unlike Belle who was orphaned as a young child. As such she was raised and mentored by Candlestick, while her father essentially abandoned his family to silently grieve for his wife and ignored his daughter. In these formative years she was hardened to think of this teacher as her adoptive caregiver, and while she may still acknowledge her biological father, it is Candlestick who she cares for the most. This is seen most forcefully when she sees him broken and suffering, those teachings and her admiration for him are what drives Belle forward to defend his memory and avenge his supposed passing. And while this may sound similar to another nocturnal prowling knight, DiMarco has her own agenda and strength which makes her all the more impressive than any male and better than all others who came before her. In short, the story transforms the dynamic of what we think of as a normal parent relationship and reinforces it to encompass those we care for in similar and more caring fashion.
Even with such a powerful story, it is the sensational artwork of Bong Dazo which brings the narrative to life, allowing us to leap into this gripping tale as if it we ourselves are beside Belle, helplessly watching her struggles. From the first page he develops the tale, gravitating the reader slowly through the destruction, unfolding it until we reach the same conclusion as our heroine – a want for revenge. But even with his magnificent illustrations, they would be empty without Juan Manuel Rodriguez’s eye catching subtlies in the control of colors, expanding shades of blues with such beauty that you cannot but marvel at the expanse of the destruction. While we watch Anabelle struggling for breath, the amazing attention to detail in scenery, costume and background make us stare in ever harder, from both artistic and tonal aspects as to how long it took to craft such beautiful tragedy. And while we watch Belle’s fight to survive, they do not neglect those same nuances, making even this bloody dance of death a joy to watch, if that is possible. However the most striking page of the entire issue is the splash of our Beast Hunter staring down the behemoths, striding forward with such determination and dire anger you cannot deny her grief and need to avenge Candlestick, plus the destruction of her home. You can almost feel her rage, the strength in each step, all magnified by the shadowing along the contours of her tattered costume and undeniable strength reflected within her eyes. This is one time in which stopping our heroine would be unwise, her ire aimed at the creatures who destroyed everything dear to her, and if you did, it would not be surprising if she struck you down as well. This singular page defines Belle: Beast Hunter – while it may be her job to go after rogue creatures, if you harm her family … that will be the last mistake you will ever make.
With a defining story through both wonderful narrative and breathtaking artwork, Belle: Beast Hunter does not disappoint in any way possible. You cannot but admire Belle as you watch our captivating heroine burst forth from the page, never giving up even as her whole world is destroyed. She does not back down, defiantly striding forward determined to avenge her mentor and put aside any doubts that her actions are just. While most would crumple in fear and sadness, Anabelle instead cares too much for their memories together and wishes to preserve them with all of her abilities. This is the kind of hero which faces the darkest of tragedies and makes them her strength, never surrendering all while making the future her earnest goal.
Grade: A+
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: February 21, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
