Destiny is ever mysterious … but it can also be extremely cruel.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Dave Franchini
Artwork: Vicente Cifuentes & Moy R.
Colors: Jorge Cortes & Maxflan Araujo
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
One of the many secrets inside the book has made itself known, but what does this mean for the Guardian of the Nexus? And what other mysterious figures are lurking in the darkness? What are their intentions? Is Skye ready for what comes next?
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
On a dark night at Arcane Acre, Sam was irately berating an inattentive and stubborn student as they marched down the hallway, unwilling to restrain her anger at an equally willful Guardian who ignored all pleas to stop and discuss an unknown topic. However as they hastened through the deserted corridors, the annoyed one-sided conversation was not restrained to themselves, instead resounding through the building enough to stir a worried Jasmine from her sleep into knowing she has heard this conversation too many times before. But as the two willful women continued their argument within the library with Darren trying to stop Skye from doing anything foolish to rescue Shang, it is then when a frustrated djinn interrupts and asks why she was left out of such a meaningful discussion. However when they fill in all the gaps of how new information has been revealed about Allexa holding their beloved mentor captive within the Dark Book, it is Sam who asks this new participant to talk some sense into their friend. But instead of rationally expressing a new option, Jasmine magically changes from her bedclothes to something more suited for battle, pointing at silent intruders who had begun to materialize around the tome in question.
Unwilling to compromise their safety, the remaining heroines follow suit and change costumes, all while wondering aloud how this mysterious trio could have bypassed the security protocols of Arcane Acre without using magic, before standing fast before these unknown trespassers. But as the lead figure courteously states they mean no harm, the Guardian still cannot understand how they released the seals from the Dark Book, to which their new guest declares there is much about this forbidden tome which they do not understand, and pulls back her hood. It is then when a stunned Skye realizes she recognizes these women, and while she may not know them by name, it is a familiarity of countenance which causes her to question if they are faeries, to which they positively answer in the past tense. But as Mathers and Jasmine begin to ask what they mean by this puzzling statement, the Guardian poses another query as to how they are connected to this evil book, to which the leader stretches out her hand before she is forcefully stopped. The elderly woman proclaims she is here to help Skye and can tell her all about the Dark Book, but before Sam or Jasmine can stop their foolish friend from doing anything rash, she steps forward knowing she can believe these wizened advisors. And while the principal once again acknowledges that they can be trusted, she raises a withered hand enshrouded in a sickly green glow, before touching it to the Guardian’s forehead and enveloping the helpless girl with the same mysterious energy, all as her friends scream in panic not knowing what they should do next.
In Summary:
After the sickening secret within the last issue of how former Guardian Allexa has become Shang’s captor was finally divulged, we knew it would not be long until the sinister history behind the Dark Book’s creation would gradually be exposed to the light of day, but of course it does not mean that this hidden revelation would be a pleasant one, especially considering the nature of the tome itself and the beings it is meant to keep trapped within its limited pages. However as Skye’s patience to free her friend and mentor grows short, of course the growing tension only exacerbates the building pressure which barely manages to keep the excitement contained, and with writer Dave Franchini being the one responsible for this release to finally be unleashed, we of course acknowledge the fallout will not be limited to a small area, and this is what makes the narrative such a satisfying literary treat. But at the same time, while this author’s prior stories have surprised readers thanks to unexpected and well-meaning twists, to utilize the clichéd plot device of taking advantage of a neglected person’s misery for some nefarious scheme is to be expected, yet Franchini has meaningfully crafted this overused medium into something which guides the reader into the darkness with repercussive and well intentioned results, even if he uses a ghostly form to communicate the tragic past. Betrayal and vengeance are always cruel motivators, with its outcome never being what the accuser yearns for all while they think they are acquiring some warped form of justice, but in the end it is always falls short of what is desired and concludes with messy results, with this example being no exception. But as the Guardian and her friends become acquainted with these elderly faeries, the reader has to question who drove Dela to such a drastic plan, with this shunned girl wanting only to gain acceptance from her father, but then driven to desperate measures for a goal which ultimately swallows up her in the end. Such a cruel outcome could not have been prompted from a genuine need for support, no matter how distressed she may have been, only to have those same sincere ambitions propel her into a dark and endless void, as such these radical actions seem to have been suggested by an outside force and this is made abundantly clear with her reaction at the conclusion of the story. But as this now dark fairy is gradually consumed by these dire intentions, you have to consider if she herself was also a victim from the start, being controlled by someone or something which utilized her as a meaningless pawn, allowing Dela to think she was in charge and to be beguiled for some nefarious reason, with a pure hearted girl who only wished for approval to be swallowed up, becoming a sincere object lesson of loss and innocence.
For a story which begins with such an infuriating sense of helplessness for our heroines, then quickly envelopes a tale of tender sympathy for someone which Skye does not know, this compassion quickly devolves into building frustration, and this is all thanks largely due to the splendid visual transformations which the skilled artists display within this issue with wonderful splendor and unyielding audacity, which expresses itself within this delightful ambiance. But of course this title would not be as enticing without the tantalizing portrayals of our heroines, and due to Vicente Cifuentes’ distinct attention to detail within his illustrations from the lusciousness of feminine curves within skin tight costumes, or more importantly the manner by which he adjusts the actresses’ faces to extenuate minute emotional signals, from small crinkles surrounding the eyes or a slight tilt of the lips to denote displeasure, pouting or anger, one cannot deny Cifuentes knows how to present these beautifully determined women within a range of emotions, all while showing they are willing to leap into action at a moment’s notice. But even as we are amazed by this fantastic range of states, what makes them all the more appealing are Jorge Cortes’ dazzling palette of colors which helps to emphasize each suggestive moment, from the initial opening panel of a haunting night sky with an array of haunting blues to the nuanced manner by which he suggests light sources for the subtlety of delicate shadows dancing upon captivating faces, there is no place within the first act by which his application of tones escapes our eye. It is this dizzying combination of talents which compounds the tension with each passing page, allowing for such a hypnotic build-up and gripping reaction once the faeries enter the scene, made all the more intensely provocative due to the powerful close-up of Skye with an almost sickening fist of fuchsia magic and the sinister shadow of supposed malice which enshrouds their visitors. However it is not until we escape into the interior of the Dark Book is the other side of this wondrous work revealed in all its shocking glory, made all the more pronounced due to Moy R.’s uniquely angular faces for the actors, which then magnifies the unusual depiction of the Guardian’s curious pinpoint pupil eyes versus the barrenness of native inhabitants, making their responses all the more robust or informative due to their external appearances. And while these strange portrayals may take some adjustment due to this unsettling appearance, the same allure of Skye’s curves allows us to know the story is continuing but from a different viewpoint, with a pleasing tenderness reflected within the audience of the faeries, making the father’s raw anger explosively frightening thanks to the epic close-up and an abundance of action lines to amplify his rage. But what sincerely links this unfolding to the rest of the issue are Maxflan Araujo’s astonishing application of colors, fluidly connecting the prior story to this much darker telling of previous events with the same mystical vibrance, even as it becomes smothered at times by a morose haze to reflect the somberness of past memories. However while we may be satisfied by these reactive tones, it is the change of Mather’s eye depiction which is almost comical at times since small pupils usually denote a shocking moment, but instead they are now used in every scene, lessening their intensity and making Skye seem as if she is surprised by every event within this foreign world. But at the same time, the faeries’ blank eyes allows for Moy R. to congeal their feelings and emotional fervor within their body movements, allowing for more forceful reactions to be seen from a variety of surface indicators: from furrowed lines around the eyes and mouth to wildly exaggerated body movements, each of these elements combine into a something akin to a dynamic pantomime performance, with all of the intensity of well executed stage play. And yet while this absence may hinder some, it is the vigor of Dela’s actions which crystallizes into something much more powerful, especially when her eyes bubble over in a jet black malevolence and she dons ebony, signaling we have reached the point of no return for this poor misunderstood girl.
We always knew the Dark Book was hiding some forbidden secret, but to suddenly realize its creation was due to the misery of an abandoned faery makes this revelation all the more disgusting due to the warped nature of evil which pervades its sinister pages. And yet due to spectacular artwork and a stunning color array, we can almost take a sickening pleasure by enjoying this thrilling visual display, all while knowing the results will doom one to a life of eternal servitude thanks to the corruption of Dela from the result of her foolish ambitions. Although the actions within this issue may uncover the tragedy of one family, hopefully it will fuel the determination of the Guardian to avenge all who have be taken by the evil within its malicious bindings.
Grade: A-
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: February 03, 2021
MSRP: $3.99
