Always look … before you leap.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Dave Franchini
Artwork: Julius Abrera
Colors: Jorge Cortes
Letters: Taylor Esposito
Lettering Artist: Mariano Benitez Chapo
What They Say:
What horrors lie inside this dark and mysterious book? And what ties does it have to Shang’s location? Skye must delve deep into the unknown if she want to learn its secrets, but what she finds out might be too much for the Guardian of the Nexus to handle. Don’t miss this next issue of Skye’s journey!
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
With the Dark Book now in the Guardian’s possession, Skye cannot but anguish over how to free her mentor Shang from its restrictive confines, and yet as she struggles with this impossible conundrum, this ominous tome still resists her unwanted probing and will not stay still without a fight. With yet another fruitless night passed, Mathers continues to grapple against the evil which longs to be free, even as Sam and Jasmine attempt to magically contain this vicious book while their friend tries to restrict its movements. Although the pair constantly endure mystical waves of corrupted energies, the former genie cannot but complain about how Skye seems to be taking her time in locking down its pages, all while the former Guardian seeks to soothe the growing tension so that her successor may succeed in her task. With one final surge forward, Mathers finally manages to secure the Dark Book with a special device which should keep it from acting out again. However as the tired women quibble over the effectiveness of a tool stolen from the Order, an unsure group of teenagers question if now would be a good time to start their tour of Arcane Acre, to which Jasmine wisely volunteers as Skye and Sam argue if it is appropriate to initiate new students while they have such a dangerous object in their possession.
However as a frustrated Skye lashes out by stating she seems to be the only one who wants to free Shang, Sam chides her young replacement by comforting her and reminding the Guardian if she can overcome the troubles of the Nexus, Mathers can also triumph over this trial. But as Darren retires for the night and the raven haired protector once again seeks more background as to the origin the each Guardians’ storybook, she too falls asleep after an exhausting and pointless search for answers. However as both dream of more pleasant times, there is a sinister presence which cracks open the supposedly secured Dark Book and lurks the halls of the magical institution, seeking a means to its ends, to which it finds an unwilling volunteer in the form of a blonde beauty. But as the studious Skye wakes with a start, she is suspicious of something within the darken halls, only to have her worries settled by a grumbling stomach. After a fulfilling raid of the refrigerator, she wanders back into the office to see a familiar form hovering over the wicked treatise, surrounded by an ominous aura of oppressive energy. While she may not wish to battle a friend, the Guardian of the Nexus has little choice in the matter, for if she wishes for both to survive, this evil must once again be contained.
In Summary:
As we settle into what might be considered normal for Arcane Acre, writer Dave Franchini does not fail to entertain with a story that continues with an introduction of the new menace which Skye found on her journey to Camelot – the Dark Book. It is an anticipation of excitement which tempts the reader, teasing our collective interest from the last issue and continuing with the current, allowing for a slow burn of tension as we wonder what kind of trouble the Guardian has brought from the other realm. It with this provocation from which we are reminded of the standard of daily life within this institution, made all the more humorous as we watch Sam, Jasmine and Skye fight what may be a mortal struggle, only to be jarred back from what may be routine for these instructors when interrupted by an innocent query for a tour of the school. This taste of grim reality helps to shake Mathers back into the substantial responsibility which she is burdened with as the Guardian of the Nexus, a formidable job from which Darren is truly aware of due to her past failure, and thus her words have an forceful impact which helps to settle the frayed nerves of her younger student. This memorable moment helps to drive home the prospective impact which Skye must face: as Sam forcefully states, every action she takes in the name of the Guardian effects other and if not for her, many of her friends would not have survived past battles, and now she must carry onward with the same fierce tenacity to find Shang. And while this pep talk may have brushed aside any lingering doubts, one cannot but wonder it may have urged our heroine into foolish action once the foul shade from the Book makes itself known, causing the abundant enthusiasm to find her mentor to override any sense of answerable restraint while entering the fearful unknown again.
But even within such a striking narrative meant to stir a tangible sense of rationality for Skye’s duty, one cannot ignore the dynamic illustrations of Julius Abrera, with each panel communicating his powerful command of delineated features within a smooth transition between wanted excitement and captivating beauty. While you may giggle at the exaggerated sound effect text littered within these spectacular images, it is clever panel manipulation which directs the reader’s eye that allows for a flowing movement between pages, and thus no hesitation in maintaining audience’s attention within a normally flat medium. You cannot but be fascinated by the striking opening sequence: from a carefully detailed portrayal of Arcane Acre to the provocative close-up of commanding lips of Skye and Sam, only to be answered by an equally forceful explosion and then a momentary distraction of stunning allure amidst the tension of a mortal struggle. One cannot but be impressed and seduced simultaneously by these heroic women fighting for their lives, and yet it is the visual impact of Jorge Cortes’ amazing application of colors which allows for the page to come alive, wondrously emphasizing every teasing exposure of female flesh and sensual curve or defined muscle, all made more prominent within costumes which flair from bright tonal textures due to a selective usage illumination angles, projected ominously from the pulsing aura of light enclosing the Dark Book. This impressive visual display is vibrantly balanced by the skillful application of underlying shadows, giving a more pronounced feel for the tension displayed within this climactic scene, portraying the undeniable appeal of these tempting beauties as display an equally menacing strength to fight against the darkness. And yet you cannot but admire the tenacity of these defiant women to live a normal life, switching effortless between warriors and educators, given such pronounced definition thanks to the artistic collaboration of these talented artists.
While Skye fights to understand her role as Guardian and savior, this issue helps to solidify the internal struggle which she faces daily, only to remind the naive young woman she is not alone in her battle to save Shang, even if she refuses to accept help when it willfully offered. Although this may be one of the faults which make her such an indomitable protector, at same time, this same strength becomes her greatest weakness as she fearlessly leaps into the endless fray. However thanks to this enviable personality, Mathers’ battles become a spectacular visual treat which is so stunningly put on display within this issue, thanks to the striking synergy of line and color which portrays our heroine as an admirable person. But as the introductions draw to a welcomed close, I cannot wait to see how her haste has ill prepared Skye for the next step in another unforgettable journey of discovery and adventure.
Grade: A-
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: July 29, 2020
MSRP: $3.99
