Aspen Comics 2017
Written by Vince Hernandez
Pencilled by Marco Renna
Inked by Mark Roslan
Coloured by Federico Blee & John Starr
Lettered by Zen
Ember Silva, along with Terra and the sorceress, Evani, kidnapped Las Vegas magician Hank Medley and his cat Sparkles in order to use his magical vanishing ability to arrive in San Francisco in the future. There, the group attacked Rainier Tower and freed his cherished prisoner, Jayden. Meanwhile, Terza, rogue warrior of The Blue, rose from the depths of the ocean and incapacitated the powerful Aspen Matthews with a frozen mind tap on the shores of San Diego. Yet, the group as a whole was still uncertain as to the true cause of the mystical lyrics binding their minds together and forcing their actions—the powerful mind control of Orlana, the Death Princess…
Opening up with Aspen Meadows washed up on a beach surrounded by what looks like shards of glass is certainly ominous enough. It's also eye catching and a great way to bring the reader into the story. I say this because Aspen being the company's star character and what leads to the next two pages which as a double spread make you wonder what the heck is happening here. it's rather effective in also setting up what could almost be described as the four watchmen having arrived on Earth. So together what we see is that moment which hooks the readers interest which then drives them forward.
With the opening hooking readers in it's time for the how'd we get to that point. Also is it inevitable that that is what's going to come to pass? I will fully admit that seeing these women come together to form a group with a leader that would put any villainous, or Pizazz, to shame is wickedly delightful. While I kind of understand that it has to be women, it's kind of what Aspen was built around after all, it is becoming more obvious and trite in certain ways. Personally it would very nice to see men in some scantily clad costumes wither being heroes or villains and it's been much too long since we had Killian front and center.
I appreciate the fact that we're seeing interior artwork that isn't a rip off or wannabe Turner style stuff. He was a master at what he did and I understand influence and honouring but genuch already. So seeing Marco's pencils is a nice treat. He has a nice understanding of the human anatomy as well as how wings and such should look on a person to be more realistic and accurate. Sure the end result borders on a form of almost cartoon or classic comic book style. The creativity and imagination on display here is utterly fantastic, like the Everlands and its buildings on the waterfall that's stunning to see.
I do like the whole this isn't something that happened overnight but took patience, planning and guile to accomplish. Of course it's a whole lot easier to accomplish this once they had Hank under their control. These company wide crossover events usually have a more forced air about them but with this one in particular there's a more natural feel to the proceedings. Since all the books are now in a shared universe it this does wonders in bringing them all together more cohesively. Not to mention it's a tad more fun than expected from a title like Decimation.
It's also a great way to introduce readers to the other series that Aspen has in its lineup as seeing the characters from Shrugged demonstrates. While I'm waiting for the girls from Four Points and the team from New World to show up I'll happily keep going to see what the forces of evil have in store for this world and who will rise up to stop them!
Aspen has created a very diverse and interesting world to be explored and it's fun and a privilege to see it explored.