Action Lab Entertainment 2016
By Steve Bryant
Coloured by Jim Nelson
At the premiere of the film based on her adventures, Athena Voltaire met matinee idol Carter Charles. Rather than attend the post-premiere party, Carter joined Athena for a meeting at the home of her father, Louis, who recently acquired a mysterious necklace purported to have legendary powers. While they discussed what to do with the artifact, mysterious attackers burst through the window!
Athena is one of my newer favourite characters and it’s largely due to the fact that Steve envisions her as this no-nonsense, tough as nails and incredibly smart woman who is in complete control of her life. A life that just happens to have some complete and utter craziness happen constantly! I mean it’s World War II era stuff and she’s an Aviatrix so of course that immediately lends itself to some great stuff!
We open up with Athena facing off against the intruders which is where we left off. Now she’s with her father and well her date not to mention Drake and all of them are fending off these what appear to be Yakuza types. Ninja’s cover up more and they are heavily tattooed and use weapons and they have that thug feel to em not so much a refined thing. As we read the story two things about this are very well handled, they help Athena make up her mind about returning the necklace to the volcano and it leads to what happens next.
I am impressed with how Steve weaves this story. The flow has a wonderful feel to it as the ebb and flow of what we see. There really is a great natural progression to how it’s being told that I appreciate. That Carter has taken it upon himself to join Athena out of some idea of romance and thrill seeking add another element to this that I find captivating as well. With a limited run and a full story to tell Steve uses pacing extremely well.
I also highly admire folks who can not only write but illustrate their own stories as well. The use of page layouts through angles and perspective are utilised exceedingly well. Backgrounds are used lightly to maximum effect. The characters have great distinct looks and are coherent throughout so there’s no mistaking who’s who. Plus facial expressions and body language help with characterisation.
There’s not only the story being told here but we get a really great look at Athena’s background and upbringing as well. It’s all the added elements that really help us get to know a character so much more fully.
Alright the plot’s been set the players introduced and a life threatening scenario enacted. All in all it’s an action packed issue full of drama and intrigue oh and some very unexpected moments. Athena is a great female lead character and positive role model she’s a rarity in the world of comics and should celebrated for her skill and gumption.