Hatred and revenge are very strong motivators … especially within the uncertain darkness.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Chuck Dixon
Artwork: Babisu Kourtis
Colors: Juan Manuel Rodriguez
Letters: Taylor Esposito
Lettering Artist: Mariano Benitez Chapo
What They Say:
After having narrowly escaped from the hotel infested with hunter bots last issue, Robyn, Golem, and their new friend are trying to regroup in the tunnels under the city. But something isn’t right, and this group of allies are going to be put to the test. Meanwhile, the Mayor’s larger plans are revealed and it’s not looking too good for our green-hooded archer as this series begins to heat up!
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Thanks to the welcomed help of Emily, Robyn and Golem finally escape from the hotel which had been invaded by police and the Vigilante Hunters Squad, only to find themselves once again within the Underground. But as the trio attempt to navigate the foreboding tunnels, the dark surroundings remind Mei of a time when Emmett dashed out into a storm to find Candy which resulted in her falling in love with him, but as he recalls the memory, he coldly states he didn’t like girls when he was a kid. It is then when Emily questions his response, leading in towards Locksley and whispering that Candy was his Grandmother’s cat, from which they begin to wonder if something is wrong. However as they near an ancient aqueduct and Robyn volunteers to test the crumbling structure for safety, the rocky behemoth transforms and begins to demolish the bridge as the vigilante is tentatively crossing, mockingly taunting her to guess who is truly in charge of this body. It is only then does our heroine guess the real identity of the one controlling Emmett, the person who betrayed them before and was banished within Tatter’s cloak, seemingly lost in the depths and now revealed to be back for revenge – Synapse.
And yet as Robyn’s group struggles for survival, the Seamstress unveils her latest mechanical creation to an overly proud Mayor Nyguen and a shocked Commissioner Gengrich: a hulking construction which she announces is the ultimate culmination of her robotics advances, with it and nine others to serve as a personal guard – a well armored and weaponized monstrosity which she calls the Praetorian. But as the women stare in bemused admiration and horrified awe, it is only then does the scientist reveal the factory is moving head with production, certain they will be ready within weeks to have enough enforcers stationed upon every street corner. Although Lisette praises this accomplishment as something which Julia should be proud of, the ever obstinate commander cannot but think of all the officers to be out of a job, to which the politician sternly replies it will be better for her citizens. However while Gengrich reminds her Honor she is turning New York City into a police state and questions if the people will want it, Nyguen callously answers she is giving them no choice, for she see them as nothing more than children who want for her guidance.
In Summary:
As we reach the midpoint of this fantastic title, it was inevitable that the hidden antagonist Synapse would make her break out appearance just as our heroes are at their most vulnerable, striking at the right time to cripple Robyn’s enthusiasm and divert our attention to a new problem, just as Mayor Nyguen also reveals another agenda of her plan to pacify the citizens of New York City. Although as writer Chuck Dixon continues to add intriguing nuances to the understandable convolutions within this overarching narrative, it is particularly rewarding to finally have an inkling that one my favorite characters from this story’s foundation is finally making herself known: the shy and vulnerable girl who stole our hearts from the very beginning, and the one who nobly sacrificed herself all to make a difference in the lives of her friends – Tatter. One cannot but remember how awkward she was when first introduced to a surprised archer, and as her captive Synapse now brags how she has refined her powers during the forced imprisonment, I cannot wait to see how she has changed too, and hopefully for the better. However as the telepath makes her will known by taking over Emmett, at the same time this revenge begins to bury the main villains’ scheme which has been the basis for the current storyline, making us wonder how much longer we will have to wait until finally having a clear vision of what Lisette, the Seamstress and a hidden master have been scheming for all this time. Unfortunately, to also incorporate what we have been shown within the Underground seems a bit much for novice readers, especially since this is supposed to be a Launch title, but as new details are revealed it seems to have wandered outside the premise of a tale which is supposed to be able to stand on its own. While loyal Robyn fans may enjoy the many layers of this underlying story, the uninitiated will have to peruse the previous two series in order to understand what is happening, especially when an unknown voice sparks their interest from a ragged cloak and the introduction of the arboreal savior who concludes such a fascinating issue.
Even within all of the subtle layers of literary sincerity, one cannot but become completely submerged within the graphic strength of the title when so brilliantly communicated through the insightful illustrative techniques of Babisu Kourtis, with his phenomenal attention to detail emphasized through each panel and made all the more sensational due to stunningly emotive actors who reflect the story due to his exquisitely tight line technique utilized to craft characters who move the reader to either care or hate them with equal passion. And yet while a smooth transition of imagery may tantalize us to become enveloped within the narrative, it is the completely immersive color palette of Juan Manuel Rodriguez which sets the constantly shifting tides of emotions and tension, compelling us to concentrate upon the movement of the heroes and villains so as not to become lost within this tangle of haunting environments and torrential cascade of tonal mood transformations – from the chill of a sinisterly dark tunnel into an awe inspiring undershot of ancient ruins. However when these two world class talents combine their artistic skills, the end results are breathtaking to say the least, unfolding into an unbelievably beguiling and tantalizing treat for the eyes, constantly luring the audience into the melodrama from the first image and maintaining the excitement and visual stimulation until the every end. It is the opening page that continues from the smoldering ember which was supplied from the prior issue, tempting us into the disarming darkness with a bombardment of enticing details which we are compelled to decipher, our eyes darting from each fantastic element, made ever more engrossing as we attempt to figure out what each piece of debris might be, all as that singular light source in the background only forces us to search for more information. The monumental synergy multiplies which each turn of the page, teasing the reader to continue forward no matter how much our instincts may warn of the danger lying ahead, and yet it is this need for a primal thrill and rush of adrenaline which forces us to push ahead, never heeding the alarm sirens going off in our head, all to be rewarded with an epic conclusion to this memorable story.
Robyn Hood: Justice constantly surprises which each passing issue, unfolding into a story that is disarming due to its straightforward simplicity, and yet continues to evolve as we look back on the history which formed its confusing canopy of branching tangential vines. However as we are constantly fascinated by fantastic illustrations and colors that ground the excitement just enough so as to be tolerable, the tale does not hesitate to introduce more to keep us enticed to delve ever deeper into the secrets kept just out of reach. But as we are tempted to stay for the delicious full course, more hors d’oeuvres constantly dull our palate as to what is to come, almost making us bored from the expectation even as we become subdued by the smells of a hopefully spicy ending.
Grade: A-
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: September 09, 2020
MSRP: $3.99
