No matter how hard you may try … not everyone can be saved.
Creative Staff:
Story: Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco, Dave Franchini & David Wohl
Writer: Dave Franchini
Artwork: Babisu Kourtis
Colors: Jorge Cortes
Letters: Taylor Esposito
Lettering Assists: Torrie Wilkinson
What They Say:
Taking over after the death of her mother, Sela, Skye Mathers is the new Guardian of the Nexus. With the help of Shang, her mentor, and her friends at Arcane Acre, she is learning the extent of her new powers and trying to figure
out her place in protecting the universe.
A new threat has risen, The Dark Princess, a tyrant that has broken free from a crumbling universe not much different than ours. Along with her generals, The Swarm, she began her assault on the Nexus by expelling Skye, Shang and their allies, scattering them across the realms.
Now they are desperately trying to find their way back to Arcane Acre to stand up to the Dark Princess before it’s too late.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
As Skye was swept away to another dimension thanks to the power of the red gem, she regretfully has become separated from Julia within the chaotic torrent, leaving her alone in this new world with no one to talk to, and so she unburdened her confusion upon a nearby rock who silently listened to the Guardian’s plight. But as this lost woman prompted the stony countenance for some kind of response, Mathers was surprised someone answered from behind within this desolate wasteland, the feminine form wearing a recognizable calavera mask and the face a welcomed sight for this lost traveler – it was Mary. However as Mathers questioned if this was a version of her friend within this land, the bewildered Medina was just as perplexed since she watched her friend die, and yet as they attempted to sort out the confusing facts, an ominous growl announced its presence, causing Mystere to halt the discussion and urge this guest to follow to a safer place. Although Skye’s constant chattering may have been mildly annoying, it was a pleasing noise to this lonely woman, not having heard another human voice for years while slowly leading her visitor to a half-buried school bus and ushering Skye inside before the darkness greeted the hunters. While the depths of Mary’s isolation finally came to bear via their talk about what happened to this world, Mathers could not help but apologize for her involuntary misery, and yet Medina was not despondent for her lonely state since she had a glowing crimson companion within her palm that kept her company and told of the Guardian’s imminent arrival.
While these reunited friends discussed the downfall of a barren world, Sam, Alexa and Shang found themselves plummeting through the air as their magical portal opened within a new realm, the swirling mass of energy not caring how far above they were, as the surprised trio found themselves soaring through the sky of Oz. Although the former Guardian complained why they couldn’t have found a closer place to the ground, it was their mustached friend who argued he didn’t have time to specify the coordinates, only to have his explanation excruciatingly interrupted as all found their descent slowed by the torturous collision of branches upon their soft bodies, then swiftly halted by a painful impact with solid earth. As they saw the Emerald City in the distance, it was the puzzled blonde who questioned why they couldn’t have arrived closer to the glowing capital, only to have her answer rudely told by Shang’s abrupt turn away from a proposed destination as he marched in the opposite direction. But as Darren ran to catch up to their silent leader, it was these irritated women who reminded this determined man they would no longer keep any secrets, prompting Arcane Acre’s headmaster to disclose they are looking for a town which is the home to a powerful sage who can cast the spell they need to return everyone home, and if this fails, they may have no other options. However as the dense foliage parted before the weary travelers, they were shocked to see their hope crushed as the treetop village of the Boggers has been devastated, thatched roofs and wooden walls lying on the ground among fallen timbers, and freshly burning fires still licking the ruins as an indication the marauders may still be nearby.
In Summary:
Ever since the Dark Princess saga began, we knew the emotional repercussions for Skye and Julia after witnessing parallel friends going through various traumas would be upsetting, for both themselves and a particularly responsive audience, and yet provocative creators Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco, Dave Franchini and David Wohl would not restrain the anguishing literary process so as to form poignant moments within this tragic telling, allowing the astute cleverness of writer Franchini to bring forth the usually neglected sympathy of this noble Guardian, as opposed to the contrasting callousness from the Queen of Hearts. When they began traveling together, it was Julia who constantly had to remind Mathers these were not the same people she knew from her own world, and yet due to the compassionate heart of a true hero, this valorous young woman has shown surprising tolerance for those who have unexpectedly betrayed her new allies, all based upon past relationships with those who have a familiar face. While that inescapable rapport may have easily allowed for these abrupt treacheries, it is the same caring nature and gullible naivety which makes this Guardian so endearing to the reader and her close friends, but also opens her to the troubles which her waning innocence complicates at the most inopportune times.
Although this story may be a transitional moment between intriguing crossovers to ever more horrific worlds, it does not mean Franchini will sacrifice the underlying heartfelt resonance which Skye must endure within the opening pages, made humorous once we see her impartial conversation partner is a stony simulacrum, then becoming painfully reflective after this devastated world’s version of Mary is introduced, she herself a morose example of someone who could have been isolated and shunned by those who do not understand her haunting power. This morbid environment is a fitting backdrop for this now lonely and mournfully unbalanced woman, for while she may seem rational when they first meet, it is clear as the discussion progresses how mentally detached this version of Medina has become, having lost all of her friends and supposedly the only person left within this area. And yet it is the revelation of Mystere being the holder of the red gem from which Skye fitting calls her Gollum, the unsettling motion of Mary stroking Precious, her calavera mask warping with a sickening grin and revealing it told her the Guardian was coming, all of these subtle inklings made more unsettling once Medina fearfully confesses of some unspeakable crime, suggesting this poor woman may have something to do with the current state her world. While we may have seen other friends within this troubling saga taking a more direct route to gain a tactical advantage or outright revenge, it seems implausible for someone who is considered a hero could have done something which even the most atrocious villains would be hesitant to do, leaving them with no one to fear them or rule over. Although she never truly admits any fault, it is the ferocious reaction from Skye’s lack of trust which makes all think Mary is hiding something which is too horrendous to consciously admit, confronting her former companion in the only way she knows how to survive, which mercilessly secures the unspoken truth. It is from this foul confrontation which the Guardian can only reach one painful conclusion, prompting both Skye and the audience to realize anyone can make the wrong choice if they think it is for the right reason, which makes abandoning this scorned woman so maddening, especially considering Mathers’ endearingly naive personality of thinking everyone can be saved or redeemed, no matter how many wrongs they may have done or how immense the ramifications of their misdeeds. This philanthropic conclusion causes ourselves and this apologetic savior to wonder if she cannot save one of her best friends, then what is the purpose for this sentimental journey if not to find peace in their own actions, or at least lead them to the right path in order to discover their own justifiable solution for what troubles such a tormented hero.
Even within such a meaningful momentary pause with the hectic pacing of this epic saga, it does not mean series illustrator Babisu Kourtis will sacrifice his delicately delineated imagery, and while the opening page may seem overly busy due to its intense complexity and obtrusive text boxes squeezed within such a confined space, one cannot but admire his incredible attention to detail within such a defined area, summarizing prior stories so succinctly and with remarkable brevity. It is not until we are brought back the present do Kourtis’ stunning visuals make the reader shake their head in amazement, even amid a devastated landscape, the simplistic complexity of exhaustion expressed upon Skye’s face is immediately recognizable: her furrowed brows and shadowy accents under eyes, hunched body positioning with arms resting upon knees, and side profile with hatched emphasis on her sullen and unfocused gaze, they all combine into an unusual demeanor for the once self-assured Guardian. But what concentrates and lends focus to such a gloomy mood are Jorge Cortes’ appropriately dark color choices for this barren event, with a transparent veil of shadows eclipsing the humorous scene of a tired stony countenance listening to this beautiful woman’s depressing story, allowing for the audience to become entranced by the somber and disarming moment, her exquisitely textured raven mane wonderfully framing a harried face which tenses once Mathers hears the rude interruption of someone’s voice, allowing the engaging splash of Mary standing defiantly atop the rubble to create a domineering sense of how the story will progress. And while we may be momentarily blinded by the bright transition to Oz and the enterprising trio, the grimness of the prior event made lighthearted due to their terrified reactions of falling uncontrollably, each of these normally restrained people becoming humorous in expressions due to the unexpected plummet, with their little adventure a brief distraction for what is the premise of the issue – watching Skye cope with a friend who has become unstable due to an unknown time in isolation. Although the audience may be distracted by Cortes’ lusciously colored background settings, it is Kourtis’ authentic depictions of Skye’s reactions which make these pages so enthralling, the boldness of Mystere’s face when seen from a low angle shot, a nuanced tilt making the Guardian endearing in her confusion, or sneering grin of Mary with her Precious and Mathers’ wide-eyed surprise, allowing this wondrous build-up of dramatized expressions to create a refreshing departure from the normally pronounced female curvatures of our heroines, allowing the audience to focus on the emotional significance of the story and creating a profound weight for Skye’s eventual decision.
Although this issue may be a brief reprieve from harrowing adventures through parallel dimensions, it does not take away from the emotional gravity which we expect from the series, made readily pronounced due to the unexpected focus upon the tragedy of Mary, someone who succumbed to the sinister nature of her powers and allowed them to guide her to a darkness which we never wished for such a caring heroine. Due to the captivating depictions of Skye’s reactions and an engrossing color scheme that draws the reader deeper into an unwanted rivalry, one cannot look away from the pensive portrayal of a Guardian wanting to save her friend, all while this willing victim embraces the malodorous malice which has kept her alive within this barren wasteland. While both ourselves and Skye poignantly reflect upon the painful loss of not being able to rescue someone so dear, it is the meaningful lesson from failure which makes this story so melancholically disheartening and wonderfully rewarding at the same time, allowing us to remember that from tragic defeat, sincere lessons can be gained – one which will make the Guardian stronger and always looking for a way to rescue those who should not be ignored.
Grade: A+
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: March 30, 2022
MSRP: $3.99
