No matter her past, Robyn has been and ever shall be – a hero.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Joe Brusha
Artwork: Riveiro, Alessio Mariani & Giada Belviso
Colors: Juan Manuel Rodriguez
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
Join Robyn in this historic issue as she takes a trip down memory lane, reliving some of her most memorable events while battling new enemies – and, for the first time ever, she learns the true origin of her powers.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
On what seemed to be another lonely night, Robyn found herself sifting through boxes during spring cleaning, mentally regretting the chance to burn them due to the unsettling memories they stirred up, recalling how many times she has been a wanted fugitive on both Myst and Earth for being on the wrong side of the law, with the sincere hope all of those troubles are now far behind her, having shed the darkness which has plagued her since she was an infant, becoming a hero in the eyes of those she has helped, even as a sinking feeling lingers in the pit of her stomach. But as those somber thoughts coalesce, a sudden knock at the door brings an unannounced visitor with a welcomed birthday present, the mustached man she knows as Shang who usually only shows up when there is a life-threatening mission, so it is a pleasant surprise when he comes purely for a social call, prompting Locksley to open the bright red box he has brought, containing a warmly glowing crystal. It is upon this strange relic where he asks Robyn if she knows where Highborns come from, and while she may not comprehend the answer, this learned mentor reveals these special individuals gain their powers through ancient gemstones, those forged by long-forgotten gods who also created the Realms of Power, such as the one she now holds in her hand. One such force for good were the Lightwielders who had a prophecy about the Child of Light, her true parents were members of this group and when she was conceived, the elders knew the foretold infant would soon be born, allowing her father to use this fragment to infuse his child with the power of light, but unfortunately, there were those in Myst who simultaneously began to counter the ritual for their own foul needs, allowing Balzarus to turn Locksley and five other babies into his agents of darkness.
Yet as he laments being unable to save these innocent children, Shang also voices his regret for his inability of protecting Locksley from the pain which followed her throughout a challenging life, yet this former Child of Prophecy confesses if were not for encountered problems, she would never have met the dear friends who helped during those challenging times, only to end their heartfelt conversation with an expected warning from this comforting mentor, ominously stating that dark times are ahead and evil things that should have been long dead are returning, boldly warning Robyn to enjoy this birthday for it may a long time before she can relax again. Yet as Locksley ponders these words and understands the disappointment contained within the warning, this resourceful woman is determined not to have it spoil her special day, instead donning a form-fitting gown and beginning a much-needed night on the town, with her first stop the comforting remains of The Silent Lamb. It was this local bar where she could unwind after hard cases when she was still a private investigator, and yet the abandoned place now serves as a reminder of how she seemed to encounter every kind of monster and villain which terrorized the city, including the unfortunate time where was forced to kill a Highborn trafficker named Natalya, the sister of now mortal enemy Fuchs. Yet as the implications of that memory come to mind, it is an unexpected voice that beckons Robyn as she nears the door, the same man who used to hunt her now welcomes with an endearing Russian greeting, the rugged face of Reichhardt escorting his reluctant guest inside, even as he recalls this is not far from here where his sibling was killed, and while he may attempt to ease the situation by declaring he only wishes to have a drink with an old comrade, the blonde vigilante cannot but feel unsettled by this strange situation.
In Summary:
It is hard to believe that is been almost eleven years when we were first introduced to a spirited young woman named Robyn, watching as a mysterious infant saved by Shang then brushed aside by the Council was abandoned upon an unknown doorstep, to then have her life unfold in a tragic and unpredictable way, and while we may have thought this violent girl might have initially seemed irredeemable, only aiding others if it suited her, allowed a release pent up anger or lead future goals, we cannot but smile with approval as this flaxen vigilante now is an admirable protector who will not hesitate to help others, a long and arduous path from the anti-hero she used to be, to suitably evolve from the Child of Darkness and into a Child of Light. Yet for loyal fans who were there from the beginning to recall the rocky start, and those new readers that leapt upon a sinuous roller coaster of adventures which has unfolded over the years, collectively this appreciative audience have become emotionally invested as Locksley endeavors to face every provocation head on, never giving up, no matter how grim each journey may have seemed at the beginning. Now as this formidable franchise reaches an epic milestone, one cannot but wonder how writer Joe Brusha will approach this daunting challenge, with so much meaningful history etched into the looming monument which is the Locksley legacy, and yet as of late this talented writer has provoked knowledgeable readers with new concepts as to what has unfolded in Robyn’s past, namely changing what we thought we knew into moments which are both for good and bad for this endearing woman, with Robyn Hood #100 becoming the culmination of those curious adjustments, forcing a hesitant audience to accept them with reluctance or reject them by embracing a desire to cling to a tragic past.
From the opening page, loyal fans cannot but chuckle upon seeing mementos of the old and new, a wanted poster for the capture of Robyn Hood idly tossed aside before a heartwarming picture of mother and child, yet as we settle into what will surely be an interesting journey down Memory Lane, enlightened readers cannot but raise an immediate question upon witnessing a new interpretation of last year’s Robyn Hood Annual: Children of Darkness, for while Brusha introduced Robyn’s parents as being part of the Lightwielders, it is odd for Shang to solidify the origin of Highborns with new ideas recently introduced, implications that these superior beings gained their powers from ancient relics created by long-forgotten gods who themselves molded the Realms of Power. These ever-changing threads within our heroine’s tapestry become more complex, allowing for convoluted expansions upon what was revealed before, distorting how this Child of Light was infused with energy from one of these crystals when she was born and simultaneously corrupted by Balzarus, as were the other five Children of Darkness, allowing for competing abilities to be hidden within the same being, waiting to be released once she was cleansed of the evil. Yet as this intriguing interweaving of prior tales falls into place with current interpretations, those familiar with both adaptations have to wonder which is the true canonical path for Locksley, our heroine before having unnamed adoptive parents and now raised by single mother Nova, with unsavory Uncle Clyde and frightened Cousin Megan taking her in after her death, but the double spread of events within the shire of Bree in Myst seems to unfold as we know, King John and Cal being Robyn’s first threats to an unsettling future. However, after contemplating the truth behind her tragic past, it is Shang’s parting words which cause readers to be concerned by the long-dead things that are returning, and if this nostalgic look will become more confusing as we wander deeper into Locksley’s history, there is little chance we can guess what is to arrive in the near future.
As we ponder those ominous parting words, it is the tempting sight of Robyn wandering down an abandoned street in a slinky black evening gown toward The Silent Lamb which causes experienced readers to exhale in melancholy, the sight of an old haunt brings back memories of happier times is movingly profound, even as the double spread of powerfully somber moments leading to those relaxing breaks makes us shudder from their meaning, particularly the brutal slaughter of Natalya, with readers reflecting on how this woman’s death pushed Fuchs to become her mortal enemy. Yet it is the passing comment as Locksley walks by this establishment which seasoned readers should take notice, how Merlin’s spell to restore Camelot somehow erased her identity from public knowledge, which in itself is a puzzling contradiction for the titles that come after that event four years ago and those prior to the current special. While we might have allowed Brusha’s convenient transformation of future narratives to become the truth henceforth, one cannot but shake our heads after vividly recalling Robyn wearing either a mantle, mask or both to keep her body and face hidden while she is a fugitive after the events of Robyn Hood: Justice, when she was seen by the citizens of New York City murdering Mayor Nyguen on a live broadcast, with this nightmare happening a year after the conclusion of the Camelot arc in Grimm Fairy Tales: 2019 Giant-Sized. It is her internal monologue in the scattering of titles thereafter which reminds readers of how she must keep a low profile, but due to this new realization of how she is no longer seen as a threat, all the tension which should have been the premise of her caution within these taut stories has been effectively negated, casting the tales with misplaced anxiety. However, Robyn still chooses to remain disguised even when she encounters someone in trouble, such as how she is currently convinced to help Reichhardt find his daughter then meeting friends, and yet it is strange how a strategically placed plot device allows for the continuation of the story, leading us into the unpredictable events connected to the overarching Lovecraftian story influences throughout the various titles of this publisher.
With such a monumental milestone for one of Zenescope’s cornerstone books, it is appropriate the publisher has assembled an impressive array of artistic talent, with Riveiro creating a lighthearted opening of a dynamic Robyn relaxing amid a complex of emotions, the crispness of his linework when combined with Juan Manuel Rodriguez’s bright colors projects a sense of hope, only to have that optimism cast aside once the page is turned. It is amazing how those same detailed images take on a somber tone once Rodriguez darkens the overall palette, with earthen tones placing more emphasis on Shang’s stressed face as he tells of our heroine’s tragic past, each progressive image taking on growing tension as the illustrations smoothly transition into the next, unfolding how an innocent child was swept into the vile machinations of forces unseen, with the vibrant double-page stunningly revealing how this young teenager was transformed into a bold avenger.
Yet when our birthday girl decides to spend the night out, this is where Alessio Mariani’s stunning illustrations project a nuanced elegance, for while we may be fascinated by complex backgrounds, it is the subtle shading from Rodriguez’s deeper colors that create an underlying tension, then when combined with a reflective close-up of Robyn gazing off into the distance, the reader cannot but feel the pensive mood of our heroine, made more stunning once we balance the beauty of heavily shaded cheekbones and idealized profile against the violence of her past. The clever usage of explosive orange sunbursts simplifies the shock value of each panel, and while we cannot deny the brutality of Natalya’s death, Mariani keeps the gore to a minimum, all while not reducing the trauma of what has happened, until the tension is swallowed up by an increase of overbearing darker colors and intense black tones, making some of the less detailed images hard to comprehend, with the reader reliant on interpreting who is being depicted from prior panels.
When the tension of the past has been cleared, one cannot but smile at Giada Belviso’s teasing depiction of Robyn and Liesel, with our heroine having a worrisome smile when thinking about the Brit, the glamorous portrayals of both women having an almost flirtatious nature behind their innate strength, even if Van Helsing may look strikingly strange due to Rodriguez’s addition blue instead of brown eyes amid the rare close-ups. But as readers stare at Locksley’s amazingly long legs, it is the transformation within the Shadowlands which is more tantalizing, the singular panel showing just enough to be a lecherous peek while keeping it pleasingly elegant, with alluring curves creating more than an overt suggestion, allowing this brief tease to enough of a distraction before we gaze at the lithe forms of the heroes, making Liesel’s disappointment in the background a chance to chuckle before the epic battle, with an element of grace within the explosive dance of death. But as Rodriguez’s varying palette of shifting colors wonderfully reflects the tension of the dynamic scenes, it is the closing moments of the special which make observant fans wonder who have been invited to the party, with some of the guests appearing unfamiliar and others seemingly different portrayals from past specials, creating a visual paradox of Van Helsing both in the background and foreground, while other beloved friends are missing from the scene.
While Robyn Hood #100 may attempt to present an intriguing premise for a highly admired character, it is the perplexing changes to her background which has a dual purpose for the future of the character, and though this odd adaptation may make Robyn’s history easier to understand for new readers, it is loyal fans who may find it objectionable due to a negation of essential tension which motivated our heroine in past specials, pushing forward mismatched stories even if Locksley’s desire to help still exists, all due to a now absent need to keep her identity secret due to past misdeeds no longer existing. Although fantastic images and immersive colors urge the audience to embrace tragedies of past, it is the absence of key characters during this reminiscent stroll that makes this special feel incomplete, cherished friends Marion and Julia missing a special day for Robyn while she celebrates the introduction of new dangers to her life. Yet as a now invested audience wonders what new surprises lay in wait, it is the transformation of the past which makes us wonder how narrative inconsistencies will be settled within the present, causing informed readers to worry for if balance can ever be achieved amid the confusion of unpredictability.
Grade: A
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: August 23, 2023
MSRP: $6.99
