The end of Neverland is near … unless the Guardian can stop it.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Dave Franchini
Artwork: Julius Abrera
Colors: Jorge Cortes
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
On a last-ditch effort to close the gate between Neverland and Wonderland, Skye must make her final stand to end the war of these two realms. Will it be enough or is this the end of the journey for the Guardian of the Nexus? Don’t miss this climatic issue that you will need to see to believe, as lives will be lost, and secrets will be revealed!
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Shadows are quickly threatening to engulf Neverland, and yet even as Skye and Belle attempt to gather the tribes none of their leaders can agree on the best course as how to defend their realm. While none may deny any of their peoples’ courage, it is stubborn pride and a painful past which blocks any cooperation between the groups, until Hephaestus lays down his iron first to shake them back to their senses. With all eyes now focused once again on the Guardian, Mathers tries to persuade her allies the plan they had laid out prior would be the best option, however as she endeavors to drive her point forward, something outside grabs her attention. Amidst all of their petty squabbles, the battle had been drawn to their very door, with ebony foes now surrounding a flimsy command tent and leaving them no other option than to fight for their very lives.
With captured associates now populating the enemy army, no one can hesitate in putting down those who they used to call friend, for even a single moment of indecision can result in the murder of formal rivals or worse the death of themselves. But as foolish mistakes lead to calamity and their only means of air support is now vanquished, once brave troops now call for a retreat, however the Guardian cannot turn away as she witnesses the true center of chaos come into play – the shadow general. As her resolution materializes to settle this conflict with one last exchange of swords, the sounder minds of Belle and Stephen call to their companion to pull back – for with the enemy quickly closing in from all sides there is no chance this will be a fair fight. Finally seeing logic in their withdrawal Skye turns away as the ebony menace grins in lingering malice, he knows he has won this battle, but the war has only begun.
In Summary:
With all of the bothersome negotiations now out of the way, writer Dave Franchini can finally give readers what we knew was looming on the horizon – a fight for the survival of Neverland. And while it is a bit unsettling to watch this battle unfold without any of the major players having names so we can identify their personalities, it does not mean identifiable ill tempered attitudes and long-standing grudges from memorable mental trauma cannot reopen those same wounds. And while in hindsight though we may see these arguments as a mechanism to motivate unreliable accomplices, or in a more callous manner a method to weed out those unworthy as protecting their flanks, you still have to wonder if anyone really wanted this alliance; to appear weak before their own followers is one thing, but to admit they need help to defend their own borders is another, just as the crocodile people presented themselves in the last issue – in other words, no one wants to admit they are cowardly just in case someone is waiting such an opportunity to take over in this time of uncertainty. Plus is was a bit amusing to watch Skye try to step in, since we have always known the Guardian has been one who allows her actions to speak for her words, hesitant to interrupt these people who basically see her as an outsider, only to then allow Hephaestus to literally bring down his hammer to shake some sense back into these stubborn leaders. It is only on the battlefield were we see these valiant warriors prove their seasoned mettle, but at the same time this brashness works against them as fiery tempers quickly grow out of control where bravery can ignite the direst of uncontrollable situations.
Even within all of this jarring mental jousting, one cannot but be in awe to see Julius Abrera create a phenomenal layout of what should a horrendous battlefield, however with Jorge Cortes expanding visual possibilities thanks to his evocative array of organic colors mixed in with the vividness of explosives, this wondrous synergy allows an amazing cooperative effort to bring astonishment to what should be a terrifying display of violence. The manner in which Abrera breaks down the progression of his illustrations makes them easier to digest, with each panel focusing upon particular moments, thus giving the reader a specific transition by which to watch the events unfold until we witness what can only be described as an outstanding manifestation of cruelty versus beauty. With Abrera’s enriching palette of light and shadow dancing across each image to bring the spectacle alive, the audience cannot but pause to gaze over the brilliance of the opening double-page splash displaying a devastating scenario of death and destruction, making one survey the carnage to discern familiar faces amid the inaudible screams of terror. And yet as one stares into this abyss of graphic excellence, it is then when you see a glaring stumble within what should be a momentous scene: the overuse of pixilated screentone. Although one might have been be able to overlook such an amateurish mistake, what makes it all the more detracting is the placement – allowing a reader to see its usage magnified against the lushness of a turquoise horizon and its sky bound occupants; with our attention locked onto these flying ships, you cannot but contemplate what this disturbance might be, with the gridded surface allowing the background appear to be something gleaned from a virtual reality simulator. This singular blunder makes you want to search out other uses within the midst of an age of digital coloring, thus detracting from the stunning arrangement of illustration and tone in what should have been a memorable issue of beautiful and brave warriors thanks to this singular oversight.
With the battle for Neverland an amazing moment with Skye in charge of a squabbling band of misfits, one has to marvel how they managed to pull off such a fantastic feat, even as they lick their wounds and question if this was all for the best with their massive losses still littering the battlefield. And while the amazing artwork made the issue a spectacular event, there were a few hiccups that scarred its surface from what should have been one to remember. However as Belle leads her people into a new future, you cannot bur wonder if the Guardian made the right choice into saving one man within the face of the unknown.
Grade: A-
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: January 1st, 2020
MSRP: $3.99
