Every journey has a beginning … but is this one Skye should take on alone?
Creative Staff:
Writer: Dave Franchini
Artwork: Eman Casallos
Colors: Jorge Cortes
Letters: Taylor Esposito
Lettering Artist: Mariano Benitez Chapo
What They Say:
Skye’s Odyssey is completed, but her journey is far from over. Now, with the location of Shang literally at her fingertips, she must explore the darkest corners of the Grimm Universe and discover the secrets of the mysterious book in her possession.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
As Guardian of the Nexus, it is Skye’s responsibility to protect the four realms, and yet in the time she has kept watch over the lands there has been a singular person who has caused the most pain and suffering by his mere existence, and that pompous man was Merlin. While Mathers may subconsciously understand she cannot place the blame of his bane entirely at his feet, and while it is true stealing of her book was the genesis for his ambitions, it was still that former magician’s foul and twisted ambitions which created many problems for all. With the creation of his Knights of the Round Table, possession of the Grail and the return of Camelot, these all lead to his warped purpose of reforging the universe in his corrupt image, and yet she never took his intentions personally until he took the one person who meant everything to the Guardian – Shang. It was then when her formative odyssey began, following the trail of the cruel tyrant, gathering loyal allies for the fight ahead and collecting pieces of the Armor of Camelot in order to stand a fighting chance against this godlike being. But when she finally did manage to face and barely defeat Merlin, there was still something essential missing, the teacher and mentor who had become a second father was imprisoned within the Dark Book, and Skye had no idea of how to release him.
It within this contemplative state of considering the fallout and ruminating on her many failings in which Sam finds Skye, her one sided conversation being carelessly ignored by the Guardian as she blames herself for not finding Shang. After this forceful blonde shouts at the young girl to make herself known, it is clear to see Mathers has not been sleeping well, too concerned as to her mistakes in not bringing back the headmaster of Arcane Acre, even though no one holds her responsible. And yet Darren cannot ignore the Dark Book prominently displayed on the desk before the pair, all as Skye feels melancholia for losing everyone who she ever cared for: her mother Sela, Belinda who raised her and now Shang, even though Sam tells her she is willing to talk about these smothering emotions. While she is appreciative for the sympathy, Skye just wants to be left alone to think, but as the teacher leaves, her true intentions are made bare – to delve into this sinister tome in order to uncover its secrets. However after leafing through the pages and finding them blank, a stinging complaint causes the forbidden book to suddenly glow with eldritch energies and reveal hidden images, only to then snap shut and burn with a baleful flame. The Guardian is now alert to the secrets this Dark Book has kept hidden, and yet as she transforms to prepare for any treachery, the foul volume is now willing to divulge but a glimpse of the mysteries it keeps within.
In Summary:
While it is inevitable to have a transitional issue due to the aftermath of Grimm Fairy Tales Volume 2 2020 Annual, writer Dave Franchini is able to eloquently maintain our interest as Skye grieves from not being able to save Shang, made all the more emotionally poignant as we watch this valiant heroine suffer from her failure. The opening narrative reminds the reader of how Mathers spent her stressful odyssey and the hardships she had to face, but as she approaches the confrontation against the megalomaniacal Merlin, the conclusion is bittersweet since she could not find her mentor, thus reinforcing the grimness which now grips her heart. And while Sam does attempt to mediate a better way to face her struggles, it is the journey into the Dark Book which broadens Skye’s outlook as to how to deal which such irredeemable villains, made all the more touching with a memorable tribute to her mother by revisiting one of her prior lessons; for those loyal Grimm Universe fans, one cannot deny this story has touches which are reminiscent of issue #15 from the prior series, with Sela trying to redeem a group of delinquents by turning them into Three Little Pigs, thereby giving them a chance to save themselves before her pet has a meal, but of course with grisly consequences. Franchini sprinkles his current telling with a nod to that vintage story, but instead approaches the Guardian’s education with a more gruesome charm, allowing for both the audience and Skye to navigate what we know as classic into something more adult oriented. To witness the porcine brother within the rubble of three houses makes the setting somewhat nostalgic, all while the fitting ending allows us to recall how Mathers tried to negotiate with someone with the same foul temperament, namely Merlin, but with the same repercussions. Due to this parallel resolution, I cannot but remember the sobering conclusion which Sela reached after punishing her trio of hooligans: sometimes punishment is the key to keeping the innocent safe, thus preventing the irredeemable from harming those who cannot protect themselves. While Skye may not know of her mother’s earnest forays as the Guardian of the Nexus, perhaps Franchini is recalling this lesson and communicating it to the readers, thus connecting parent and child, thus in turn permitting us to understand Skye may face even more difficult trials in the very near future.
With such a formidable backdrop to this new story arc, it is unforgettably haunting to have an opening with such powerful images as illustrated by Eman Casallos, with his ominously striking panels able to exquisitely delineate each visual element, then made all the more tonally effective thanks Jorge Cortes’ amazing technique to bring forth hidden nuances even with a limited color palette of sepia and gradients of grey. The first panel of an ominously glaring Merlin brilliantly sets the mood, and while some of this flashback may seem cluttered, the smoothness of transition between frames helps to prominently progress what could have been a boring reminder into something which instead strikes a resounding chord once we return to the present. To see Skye staring off into the distance in remembrance makes the recollection all the more moving, leading into her later forlorn stare and allowing the reader to sympathetically understand her pensive mood of rejection of Sam’s help. And yet to have these two beautiful women challenging a shared pain only aids in the opening the Dark Book, to have a seemingly inanimate object become so intimidating thanks to the ominous glow is amusing, only amplified by the Guardian’s overreaction by drawing her sword. To have this domineering protector intimidated by something which has all of the traits of the Necronomicon is comical, watching her curvaceous form strike a defensive pose seems excessive, but it still shows she is serious about this nominal threat. However it is only once we enter this oppressive tome do we begin to wonder if it is hiding something more sinister, especially after seeing a feminine silhouette watching as Skye progresses within this new adventure, making us want to see what happens next within this tempting narrative.
Although the first act may have been repetitious due to recalling prior events, it is the nostalgic story when seen through new eyes which sparks renewed interest into seeking answers as to what happened to Shang, and allow Skye to somehow redeem herself for unacknowledged faults. Thanks to strikingly powerful images and colors that harmonize the pages into something wondrous, one cannot but filled with anticipation to see what happens next. With a new page revealed within the Guardian’s upcoming adventure, the excitement only helps to whet our appetite for the feast which is yet to come.
Grade: A-
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: July 08, 2020
MSRP: $3.99
