Zenescope Entertainment 2014
Written by Pat Shand
Illustrated by Roberta Ingranata
Coloured by Slamet Mujiono
Robyn and Marian have a problem… and his name is the Rotter. Due to a mysterious spell, the Rotter’s body decomposes while he is cursed to live eternally. After striking a deal, Robyn and Marian find themselves indebted to the Rotter, who has tasked them with something no one else has been able to do: break his curse and allow him to die.
This was actually one heck of a good story focusing on Rotter or Nicholas as we learn of his real name and how he came to be who he is today. One of the things that really impressed me here is the fact that Pat manages to show us that even though we think of most of the supernatural stuff happening in realms like Myst there is and has been plenty of weirdness happening on Earth for quite some time. It just adds to the mystery of how important Earth is to the other realms and that it is something of a sanctuary for those who escape them.
This is a very different kind of story than we’ve been seeing here. That’s a darn good thing too because it really gives us a chance to get to know the peripheral players in the girls lives. We know Rotter has been keeping an eye on Marian, yes for selfish reasons but still he’s been there and helped out nonetheless, and harassed Robyn repeatedly but he’s still been pretty upfront and honest. This issue takes his character to a whole new level. Having this issue open as Nicky narrates the slides, yes picture slides and a projector were once the in thing, of his past and becomes somewhat maudlin.
Meanwhile Sam takes Marian to see the Princess Bride and well let’s just say that this is not the reaction you’d expect and it’s incredibly delightful. Though when she leaves Sam, what Sam says makes me wonder what’s really going on here and that it may not be anything like it seems and if that’s the case then damn you Mr. Shand and wow okay go on ahead and shock us if you can! Still now i’m more than a little curious if this is something i’m just reading into or if it really means something so yeah Pat’s becoming more and more devious and interesting as a writer here.
Now I don’t know who ended up having their cat drawn into this series but I like to think that’s my Roy heh but both cats here don’t seem to mind Nicky at all and with them all at the apartment we get the most heart wrenching origin story I have seen in quite some time. His mate Billy Cormac’s curse was interesting and nice reference from Robyn on that one but then again she did grow up on Earth it shouldn’t have surprised me at all. Then when she visits Mr. Sherman another part of the equation well his curse was pretty unique. The explanation for all three of them and the solution to ending the curse as well as the solution to Nicky seeing his beloved once again well it all just plays out like some Shakespearean drama.
Roberta and Slamet do some wonderful work on the interiors. While I may wish Rotter looked more like a zombie or a full fledged victim of leprosy their work here really is expressive. There’s a tenderness to Nicky and his story that contrasts Robyn trips or Marian’s talk with Sidney and here’s hoping she will walk through those doors again.
If you haven’t read anything from Zenescope lately get your rear end to the store and start right here and you’ll be thrilled and amazed by what you see. Robyn Hood and Marian are a breath of fresh air in a world covered with egomaniacs making this must read material.