When darkness arrives … it leaves none untouched.
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.
Skye “Snow White” Mathers is home again, and is trying to put the pieces of her life back together. But the world has changed, a new evil is emerging, and Skye will find out firsthand that nothing at Arcane Acre can ever be the same.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
In an isolated mansion atop a desolate hill, a lone woman sits in defiance as two shamblers approach from either side, but even as a resistant Tamora boldly maintains her opposition to help these people with this feeble attempt of intimidation, it is the one guiding these otherworldly creatures who mockingly states she can certainly be persuaded just as they did her brother, to which the white haired witch belligerently declares that person is no longer family, proposing if Shang and his friends are as diligent as she thinks, he is no longer an issue. Yet even after this callous assertion, Tamora’s confrontational attitude does not waver in the slightest, reaffirming her objection to this person’s futile attempt for her joining the cult, mocking the fleeting control over these inhuman servants who show loyalty to no one since all followers are nothing but self-important pawns with no real power, to which the cloaked figure effortlessly dismisses the enforcers. While this surprising act does earn some begrudging approval, the obstinate prisoner attributes this obedience to the profane pledge which was offered in exchange for her soul, only to be coldly countered by the woman that they are hers to command, as are all who follow her, which prompts the once confrontational Tamora to finally realize the identity of the person who has been her opponent during this conversation, all shreds of resistance now broken as she involuntarily surrenders before her omnipotent foe.
Meanwhile back at Arcane Acre, Sam cannot but be stunned by the information Shang reveals after studying the book they recently retrieved, that their new foes are gods which are possibly older than the universe itself and are determined to destroy the world, and yet as they amicably bicker with Darren hoping her mustached friend is once again hiding secrets which can solve their current dilemma, the distressed headmaster calmly reassures her he sadly does not have any such magical cure, even as the Musketeers argue amongst themselves once Diego questions if they can leave since the monsters don’t have their scents, only to be brusquely chided by the girls for his understandable timidity. But as the faculty remain unsure of what to do next without their consultant, it is Skye to uncovers a list that was secluded within the hefty tome, revealing a list of locations which seem to be unfinished and may have been places which Tamora intended the group to investigate or avoid, and while Shang wonders aloud as to their next step, he finally concludes this is the only clue they have left to proceed with their search. Certain their foes know about these places like did Innsmouth, their mentor decides the trio and himself will remain at the academy in an attempt to search the book for more information, leaving the locations to be scouted by Sam and Skye, but as the formidable women scan the document for some hints of familiarity, it is the former Guardian who childishly proclaims she will not search the creepy mountain, regretfully leaving Mathers with the unwanted task of going to a place called Tempest Mountain.
In Summary:
We have always suspected something sinister has been lurking recently beyond the darkness within the Grimm Universe, and as these foul beings made themselves known within specials outside of the flagship series, none of these gods have dared to make themselves known to the heroes of Arcane Acre, with only spiteful minions boldly venturing forth to cause chaos wherever they insinuate the influence of their masters, that is before readers were left with boundless uncertainty after Tamora was kidnapped in the last issue, allowing story creators Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco, Dave Franchini and David Wohl to shrewdly utilize that abrupt adjustment as a way to introduce unsettling concepts to the storyline, and while writer Franchini may have kept deeper secrets hidden away, it appears now is the time to unveil them with a modicum of discretion. While we knew it was only a matter of time until Lovecraftian deities where introduced to this institute of protectors, one could never have guessed their presentation would have been so brazen, with only hints of their power surfacing due to nightgaunts and shamblers, and Tamora educating both the audience and her saviors of how easily they can destroy the world, but when the Guardian finally faces the manifestation of an omnipotent being, it appears as if her troubles are only beginning.
The ominous pressure which Franchini envelopes within the opening scene lends a sense of nostalgia to the troubling introduction, with a defiant Tamora boldly playing resistant prisoner, and yet as the conversation progresses and the reader feels a nagging tension leading toward the formulaic reveal of the one behind everything, it is the teasing surprise which this malicious writer twists into our view that allows the audience to grant an unexpected welcome to someone we have not seen within the series, with her alluring presence first introduced in Grimm Tales of Terror Quarterly: Rise of Cthulhu, and while her face remains unseen within a cloak, those familiar with her overbearing confidence can understand the chill that the witch feels in her looming presence. Yet with this suffocating anxiety firmly ingrained onto a concerned audience, one cannot but chuckle as we watch the normally pragmatic Sam become panicked once the truth behind their friend’s research is revealed, only to revert to her derisive need for Shang to have some hidden solution, even after they agreed he would no longer keep any secrets, but if the situation was not amusing enough, to have Diego chime in with an opportunistic chance for escape and then scolded by the girls, amplifies this clever choice by Franchini to insert a much needed release into an otherwise dark moment. However, when Skye melodramatically interrupts the discussion, it become clear the two Guardians have spent too much around each other, with Mather’s nonchalant attitude influencing the normally stern Darren, causing the latter to childishly reserve the less scary place for her investigation. To see this pleasant change in Sam is certainly rewarding, since this restrained blonde tries to be the voice of reason within tense circumstances, but as both noble women attempt to investigate their own frightening locations, seeing both use humor to defuse what can be crippling tension allows the audience to recognize them as sensible individuals, not those who would fearlessly plunge into danger without any concerns. But as the truth behind Tamora’s fears are finally revealed and knowing readers acknowledge the true horror of an indifferent god, we cannot but wonder if anyone is safe as this sultry embodiment of power makes her will known, much to the chagrin of our valiant protectors.
Yet under such a grim and somber narrative foundation, it is menacing visuals from Babisu Kourtis which grant the audience a foreboding sense of dread within the first panel by utilizing the classic haunted house on the hill, a fascinating degree of elegance eerily gravitates the viewers’ focus onto the delineation of disparate elements, from swaying grass in the foreground which draws the eye along the deserted path to the mansion above, with just enough light to differentiate window frames and the vaulted roof, all as windswept wispy clouds drift across the sky as a majestic pale blue full moon backlights the solemn moment, even as Jorge Cortes’ sobering arrangement of gradually increasing blacks and dulled greens creates a phenomenal contrast between the decrepit nature of an abandoned structure versus a slightly brighter interior which embraces what little life contained within, made more intimidating due to an uncomfortable sound effect text. But as we enter and witness limited details of the shamblers, it is the isolated ebony form at the center which makes herself known, allowing the following image of tantalizing peach colored cleavage which makes the reader pay close attention, even within controlled light which purposefully isolates Tamora against her foul captors, allowing the anxiety of each page to grow in intensity as creatively cloudy elements subtract from what knowledge we can glean through each image, only to culminate within the penetrating gaze of our witch’s frozen blue eyes once she realizes the truth behind her captivity and the name of the one who holds her within an unseen cage.
As the developments of this confrontation continue to resonate, one cannot but be entranced by Cortes’ continued application of a thin veil to obscure the tension which the people at Arcane Acre feel due to the absence of their acquaintance, allowing for Kourtis’ dark linework to create a brooding atmosphere within the room due to the heavy use of shadows to emphasize frown lines or contours of worried faces, all while subtly using those same influences to magnify the details of tightly gripping clothes around alluring forms, even as readers begin to feel weighed down by this growing anxiety as clever usage of down turned faces and upward angles reflect the uncertainty within our heroes, made especially effective when we witness Sam and Skye in close-up and those same dour shadows are applied around strained eyes. However, it is not until we finally see Kourtis’ depiction of the being hidden behind robes does the captivating nature of Nyarlathotep finally take on a presumptuous form, with Cortes’ continued use of muted tones allowing for an alluring accentuation of this embodiment of intimidation, with flowing ebony hair and negligible swatches of matching cloth covering tanned and toned skin, even as the brazen bronze icon of her power barely keeps her costume composed, even as an awestruck audience is not sure whether to be impressed or intimidated by this display of overt sexuality. But as a glowering Skye confronts this disdainful woman with matching looks of mistrust, smooth transition between panels allows mounting tension to build, made unsettling as the disinterested deity lets her minions deal with a foolish mortal, permitting a shocked Mathers to be backed into a corner as the normally cheeky woman is left with nothing to say but hesitant remarks to mask her anger.
Once the menace of encroaching evil becomes more pronounced and resistance against what is coming seems woefully inadequate, one cannot but speculate if this will be the end for our heroes at Arcane Acre, even as their singular hope for answers finds herself confronted by the fear which has taken her family, even if she never wishes to admit such flimsy bonds can be severed by unknown means. Empowered by a story which continues to smother an unsuspecting audience due to its growing anguish, it is the fantastic synergy between pronounced illustrations and a dour palette of muted tones which serve to embody the coming threat of power personified, with the Guardian left wondering if this may be one challenge that may be too much for herself and friends. Yet as Skye finds herself confronted by darkness which seems to have no escape, it leaves the reader to question if this may the last we see of Mathers even as a familiar presence graces the doorstep of the place which she cherished above all else.
Grade: A+
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: November 30, 2022
MSRP: $3.99
