Dark Horse Comics 2016
By Gene Ha
On a quest to rescue their father, Mae and Abbie venture deeper into the fantasy world that Abbie has called home for the past ten years.
You can’t help be fall in love with this series and upon seeing the first page you understand why. That broken castle like structure in all that detail with the fountain and that either rising or setting sun, it just has that quality to it that immediately tells you that you're in for something special.
I do love Gene’s artwork and it’s so nice to see his imagination and creativity on full display here. The different species the intricate detail work all conspire to bring this land to life to rival any fantasy world out there. The use of page layouts, angles and perspective it’s all so well done. You can get lost in the visuals and then have to go back and read the words it’s just that well done.
The girls have been looking for dad and things have changed quite a bit since Abbie was last here. Time must move differently here than on Earth. I like this issue for a number of reasons, among them was that the girls with little to no intel just a gut feeling have snuck into a huge party to search for their father. I mean I love seeing how without a real plan and just flying by the seat of your pants is playing out here. You should always be prepared and do things smartly instead of with bluff and bluster or you need to be really truly sneaky.
I was a little sad we didn’t see more of Kvido this issue. That little guy is a great traditional “straight” man compared to the girls. He’s got this infectious personality that just makes you smile and have this wide eyed optimism.
All the pomp and circumstance this issue to demonstrate the Duchess’ power and prowess, not to mention finding her son a suitor, was very nicely done. Trying to consolidate her own power base and sphere of influence in the grand scheme of things well I have to say that was lovely to see. I also like that we can’t tell if these are the people who deserve saving and protection or the ones to be fought against. Meanwhile her son is in the lab where Mae is, you’ll have to read the issue to see why the girls end up where and doing what they do.
Mae and what we would think of as a more basic science education would do well in a lab among these folks. Though it seems that they have more knowledge than we may realise. I will say this much Mae’s cellphone, yes she got on her at all times even if it doesn’t work and it’s a flip phone, I thought those were extinct gets her some communique from someone or something and well that opens up a new avenue that’ll be sure to lead to something interesting.
That this is really an all-ages series is something you forget about. That Gene is able to write and illustrate this the way he does it’s just a magically wonderful story and defies age limits and labels. The girls are great characters, the story is wonderful, the pacing and characterization are just as stunning as the interior illustrations and all conspire to take you to a more realistic fantasy land. Fun, interesting and full of little surprises this will keep the whole family entertained!