If anyone is willing to help … it must be Skye.
Creative Staff:
Story: Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco, Dave Franchini & David Wohl
Writer: Dave Franchini
Artwork: Babisu Kourtis
Colors: Jorge Cortes
Letters: Taylor Esposito
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):
Wonderland has known the devastation of war, the cruel desires of tyrants and the undeniable suffering which both inevitabilities brings to the land, and yet those past conflicts are nothing when compared to the insatiable hunger that is the Dark Princess, her unending quest to unequivocally annihilate any who stand in her is now brought to this once magical realm, with its unyielding inhabitants knowing if they do not stand against these brutal conquerors none will survive, but as the Croc Queen, Belle and Tiger Lily watch their useless forces ruthlessly massacred before them by reptilian invaders, they know their end may soon be coming, even if they refuse to surrender. But as the ground quakes with an unexplainable rumbling, all are horrified as a gargantuan serpent erupts from beneath them and effortless reaches skyward to crush one of the floating pirate reinforcements between its massive jaws, with the native princess questioning the creature’s origins and the faerie bluntly stating the obvious that this massive beast may be the one to end the conflict. Yet even when faced by such a dire consequence, none of this heroic trio are willing to turn their backs on this repulsive creature and dishonor the memory to those who have fallen, with all volunteering to fight until their dying breaths, but as they stare with resolute determination, the unthinkable happens as the menacing beast’s head suddenly explodes in a spectacular splatter of blood and scales, with a familiar raven hair framed face asking if they are going to help.
With the Jabberwocky and his daughter lying prone at her feet, the Dark Princess proudly gloats over their defeated forms, but as she commands her reluctant draconian forces with their next task, it is the Lord of Flies who gives a report as to the delay of Camelot’s conquest, for while their success has been hindered by a coup led by Morgan le Faye which was put down by the Black Knight, this disgusting abomination reassures his mistress there will be no more interference, even as she relays the progress of her legions within the other realms. It is then when the Serpent King discloses his own efforts to secure Wonderland, proclaiming he has subdued the last of the resistance and only a few remain, with those pitiful dregs waiting to be conquered and the realm will be hers by nightfall, promising to keep his leader advised if any changes. As her confidence grows, this domineering woman declares she will head back to Arcane Acre to take care of a nagging problem, but as the Lord wonders if he should accompany the Dark Princess, she commands he will stay and lead the attack on Camelot, insisting it must fall today and failure is not an option.
In Summary:
With Skye and Julia finally back from their dimension gallivanting journey, we knew it was only a matter of time until story creators Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco, Dave Franchini and David Wohl threw them back into the hectic fray against the Dark Princess, and yet writer Franchini purposefully creates a deliberate motivation that we expect from the Guardian, and regretfully it is due to this formulaic anticipation whereby the story sadly feels clichéd, with our hero’s duty leading the group from Arcane Acre toward certain disaster in Wonderland as they try to rescue everyone. At the same time, those insightful readers who saw the issue’s title REGICIDE! are waiting in anticipation for the implied act to come to pass, with the term of course meaning the killing of a monarch, with little doubt who in this story arc that leader might be, but it never happens, even if there might have been some inkling this event could have unworthily claimed the Croc Queen. And yet to see Tiger Lilly, Belle and the Croc Queen stand up against impossible odds is wildly invigorating, particularly when we know such prominent women will not be sacrificed to create excitement for the narrative, so while we can be provoked by their inspiring conversation encouraging both themselves and any allies who may overhear, it is the resulting conclusion against the mammoth serpent which relieves any pent-up tension in a comical manner, and yet at the same time, it is this anticlimactic finish which results in mild disappointment once Mathers utters a stereotypical line after saving them in valiant fashion. Even when the Dark Princess makes her grandiose appearance and contemptuously gloats over powerful foes which so often have given others difficulty in the past, to witness her casually walk over the Jabberwocky and his daughter is thoroughly insulting for past attempts, almost as if this is an act of defiance against the hard work of others, with her now showing this pitiful foe was not worth any effort, adding onto the detestable attitude of this overbearing tyrant. But as we progress through the dominoes of a leading narrative and happily witness the return of Lance and Stephen, even wondering why a normal person like Brin is on such a cruel battlefield, it is the flashy appearance of Skye which contrastingly mocks the painful perseverance of Peyton as she bursts in to save the day, with herself and Allexa coincidentally having the right answers and powers to save those who have been corrupted, even as the stage is set for the final encounter between powerful rivals.
Yet even against a formulaic foundation of the hero swooping in at the last minute to save the day, one cannot deny it is the fantastical illustrations of Babisu Kourtis which makes this story so visually compelling, to watch the horrors of war gradually transition via seamless panels under an explosive dynamic excites the audience on a primal level, even as Jorge Cortes’ constantly evolving palette creates a vibrant atmosphere which amplifies the desperation of heroes who seem doomed to fail. The stunning unfolding of Kourtis’ disturbing scenery is enticing even as we stare in awe at the high detailed backgrounds which unfold every chilling moment, to watch ruined and flaming landscape gradually shift over to the valiantly deceased is disheartening, with Cortes’ somber color scheme magnifying the cruelty of conquest, the meticulous mixture of flickering flames and bitter smoke almost allowing the audience to become enrobed within the bitter smell the pain and suffering. But what shockingly grabs our attention is Kourtis’ clever yet morbid method of transposing the readers’ focus onto current events, reflected them upon the eyes of a recently deceased allows the death of one to open a new world of hope, even as we become lost within the nuanced confusion of this artist’s amazing depiction of materialized chaos, made more enthralling thanks to his stunning dedication to unfold unbelievable details within a panel which may only a blink in passing. But as our sight curiously gravitates from Tiger Lilly’s luscious cheeks to the imposing grandeur of the serpentine behemoth which threatens to consume all, with Cortes’ fascinating manipulation of light and dark allowing for the sight to almost burst off the page, one cannot but chuckle and smile at the anticlimactic resolution. The strained faces of these stunned beauties staring at the unexpected savior who gave them a gory bath is both amusing and questioning in their expressions, for while they may be grateful for this last minute rescue, it is the unnecessary brutality which splattered all that results in understandable disappointment for the audience. This trio was not given a chance to try to save themselves, with the bold saviors spoiling what could have been an epic battle, all as Skye greets her friends with an almost somber scowl of intimidation as she arrives just in time, only to swiftly change to the true embodiment of the tyranny which grips Wonderland, the condescending glare of the Dark Princess whose features communicate she is not someone you face without proper preparation.
While the audience may have been expecting epic battles within the penultimate issue for this formidable story arc, what we receive is a mildly predictable unfolding of Skye’s return as Guardian of the Nexus, with this admirable heroine attempting to make up for lost opportunities to save the realms, all as we rush forward toward the inevitable confrontation between herself and the Dark Princess. Even as outstanding artwork stunningly portrays the tragic struggles of war and a phenomenal color palette shakes our understanding with rousing depth that causes the reader to tumble deeper within the conflict, it is the story itself which falls short due to the growing urge of Mathers fulfill her lost duty while she was away, leaping into danger due to an unnecessary sense of guilt to rescue those she feels she abandoned. And yet while the sensational displays of bravado may have been fitting in the recent past, this new boldness neglects the meaningful efforts of those she left behind, almost as if Skye constantly feels the burden of a protector and thinks no one else can handle the defense of their own homes, as if their sincere struggles fall short of her overbearing need to be responsible for those under her Guardian purview.
Grade: A
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: August 03, 2022
MSRP: $3.99
