Kingdoms may rise and fall … but nothing is more shameful than family squabbles.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Joe Brusha
Artwork: Deivis Goetten
Colors: Jorge Cortes
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
Camelot and the Order of Tarot collide as the history of how they are intertwined is revealed. This is not the first battle between Merlin and his Knights vs. the Emperor and his Court, but it certainly will be the last.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
As the Council bury the dead and consider their next move, a disturbance is detected before a ferocious eruption of magical energy tears open a portal before them … and the Guardian of the Nexus steps through. To everyone’s surprise Skye has made it back from Camelot and succeeded in her quest, even as the Curator had previously stated it was almost impossible to enter or exit that realm. However as these companions discuss the ramifications of this new development, Merlin and his Knights of the Round Table settle something for their own discussions – the origin of their kingdom. It began long ago as the magician and his brother Mordred were some of the only survivors of the Order of Tarot, having been defeated by the Dark Horde they were exiled to Myst and forced to find a new place in which to recover and set upon revenge.
Merlin had heard of a mystical land hidden on Earth, one which was separated from time and space, allowing them to establish a foothold for future plans, and that realm was Camelot. As the siblings explored the ruined catacombs for the source of this kingdom’s power, they came across an artifact which gave them immeasurable power – the Holy Grail. With this new found confidence, the duo began to attract new followers to rebuild their army and within this assorted group of creatures from various lands, a powerful sorceress attracted the eye of Merlin, a beautiful woman who shared his ambitions – Morgan. However it was not only this wizard’s attention which was beguiled but also that of his kin Mordred, and he did not take rejection well, lashing out in frustration and banishing her to the dungeon as a beloved sibling looked on in subdued anger. Two brothers fighting over the same woman … wars have been started over this very conflict, and they never end well.
In Summary:
Although we finally receive a much needed background story for the Order of Tarot and Merlin’s association with the organization, there are still a glaring plot inconsistency which makes any information revealed a bit dulled within its sparkling grandeur. Since it was hinted in previous titles that the two had some history between them, it is surprising to learn they were actually siblings and their falling out came to a head due to a romantic entanglement. While it does make them seem more human by having such a mortal fallacy, at the same time with the implied strength of their powers makes the downfall of the Order appear a bit laughable, allowing the emotions for one woman to cause a rift between two who are family. So for all of their supposed superiority, with The Emperor always projecting a pompous front as to being greater than others, and yet he goes after his brother’s lover when he himself is married. Guess this show is to placate their own imperfections or mask the pain which one caused upon the other, but in the end, it gives us a light upon the betrayal and why they are on opposite sides of this power struggle and conflict.
However even within this enlightening revelation, there is still a troubling plot hole which has been brushed aside and hoped by writer Joe Brusha readers will forget: the release of the Black Knight and Puck. For the past four issues we have seen Peyton’s struggle to be free of Merlin’s control and self imposed obligation of being granted her powers, and yet suddenly she finds herself returned to the Earth realm with her partner; if this was going to be the extrapolated conclusion for her captivity, then why the need to extend the storyline, proclaiming the premise of Camelot being inescapable, introducing Puck and his own quest to escape … but then nullify all of this hard work by suddenly showing them at Arcane Acre without any explanation as to how they were freed. If Brusha was going to have Skye use her sword’s new power to teleport, then he could have concentrated on more essential story elements – such as a history behind the new blade since it defines the Guardian and give the audience more hints as to Merlin’s master plan instead of dropping miniscule details, making us wonder if even this villain knows what his expectations are in the end.
Even within this troublesome lopsided tale, there is no denying the true treats of this issue are the enticing illustrations of Deivis Gotten and captivating colors by Jorge Cortes. From the start we are caught up in the grimness of the story, with Shang visually saddened by the passing of his companions, giving the book a solemn tone, but all of that is dismissed with the explosive beauty of Skye bursting onto the scene, with luminous electric blues magnifying the excitement and preparing us for what is to come. However while we may welcome an intriguing narrative, it soon becomes clear the emotive state is one of trepidation as we watch with uncertainty the fate of the Order … with all of its backstabbing treachery. Even while on the surface this may not sound interesting, it is all thanks to the artistic splendor of this amazing team are we able to watch with anticipation the struggle between the brothers. The bleakness of this time becomes abundantly clear with the eclipsing of light over the kingdom, allowing shadows to wondrously change the mood of what should be pleasing anticipation into one of gruesome deceit, all thanks to Cortes’ talented application of his varied palette. And yet even as we watch this venturous partnership unravel, you still cannot but marvel at Gotten’s skill of displaying beauty within all of this suffocating duplicity, reflecting with the stern faces of the dueling siblings. It this is what we are in store for as the two forces engage again, this story has just become more interesting.
As the true foundation of the story arc comes to bear, you cannot but wait with bated breath for the excitement yet to come, even if some plot points were sacrificed to bring everything to the forefront. We always knew the Order of Tarot would try to take their place as the darkness within the Zenescope universe, but to spring the truth upon us after dominating the issues with the struggle of the Black Knight and then sweep it away is disappointing. It is only thanks to the visual value of the artistic team that this book is not a loss, but if they find a balance between art and story, then we are in for a rousing epic between good and evil.
Grade: A-
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: November 7th, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
