Dynamite Entertainment 2016
Written by Corinna Bechko
Illustrated by Roberto Castro
Coloured by Alex Guimaraes
Lettered by Simon Bowland
Well it’s no surprise that this issue is just as good as the first one was. That Corinna has been focusing on Sheena is delightful. I’m less familiar with her than Tarzan so it’s nice from my perspective to get this focus. I’m really kind of impressed here because while she’s wearing that Leopard outfit, not really a bikini and not sure how it stays up, she’s still this very strong willed and resourceful woman and not a sex object. I do like that regardless of one’s outfit you can still be perceived that way.
I have to say seeing Cheetah befriending Sheena the way he has and how she learns exactly where she is and who the protector of this land is. There’s a really nice way that Corinna has been setting this all up and while the African continent is far away from her home, well in time and distance, I love seeing her ability to just have this empathy and connection with animals regardless of where she is.
So while Sheena is becoming more familiar with Tarzan’s home he’s in London, or thereabouts. An urban jungle if you will and he’s just as amazing running through the rain in a suit jumping from rooftops or bridges as he is in the jungle. One thing you can say about Tarzan is that while the man has unrivaled willpower, determination and skills he isn’t exactly the smartest of creatures or men. Still it doesn’t stop us from enjoying the mythology behind him and the legend he is.
There is something though that regardless of what they do to him he does manage to find a way to survive and gain his revenge. This is great stuff to see what’s happening here and while both his and hers are currently separate stories they will converge and when they do I cannot wait to see just how darn unstoppable the two are.
The characterization here is superb and i’m totally enamored by what’s happening in these pages. From the unexpected showcase of personality and persona to the way the story unfolds this is one of those great journeys you take and get swept up in the ride.
Roberto and Alex do so stunning work on the interiors. Aside from being able to get Sheena so beautiful and so powerful the animals they bring to life here are utterly amazing. Roberto’s eye for page and panel usage to tell the story and have it flow so nicely is impressive. The attention to detail, the use of backgrounds, how we see perspective and angles all of it used to really get the reader into the story even further.
Dynamite has this uncanny knack for getting the right people on the right characters and keeping them relevant, fresh and interesting. This is why i’ll always be a fan!