Zenescope Entertainment 2014
Written by Pat Shand
Artwork Roberta Ingranata
Coloured by Slamet Mujiono
Marian’s former mentor, Avella, puts a bind on Marian’s powers, rendering her unable to perform spells. With Avella captured by the mysterious Cabal, it seems that Marian’s chances of getting her unique abilities back are gone. As she searches for other, darker, means of regaining her magic, Robyn teams up with Liesel Van Helsing for a vampire hunt in the streets of Manhattan!
What an absolute delight this series has become. Pat’s characterization of these characters continues to grow and evolve them into more than we thought they would be. Liesel and Robyn’s friendship and banter really are among some of the most fun we are witnessing in comics right now. It’s fun, unashamed teasingly and full of character growth plus they do make a good team. This is the kind of friendship that grows with each time they see each other and that they don’t see each other that often well it makes the time they spend together that much more meaningful.
I like how this issue starts off with someone taking a snapshot and then posting it to social media. It’s a great way to showcase someone’s new way of getting their message out there and trying to lure in someone to come find them and try to stop em. It’s weird to think that modern technology has progressed to a point where it’s so readily available and once was once thought only the tool of heroes and the rich.
I have to say I do love Liesel’s look it’s so retro/steampunkish that along with the accent I picture her having it’s just so cute. Plus her new boyfriend makes for an interesting story angle. Pat’s writing keeps growing and evolving and the mysterious person who texts Robyn to look at the posting we see on page one and her new way of looking at things, she’s trying to think things through instead of plowing into situations. But after not being able to find Rotter and seeing the husband of an old client she calls Liesel in for backup.
Aside from the Cabal New York City really does have a wide variety of supernatural beings that don’t come from other realms per se. Vampires, Zombies, Werewolves and now a Succubus so the city really has become a great hot spot for them to work in. Phil the bartender running his business becoming a fixture in this series, though let’s face it if Rotter weren’t always there would Robyn keep showing up?, and being a player in this story really does give this underworld a bigger scope and that’s great to see.
So where does Robyn turn when she needs help? The new version heads to Officer Gengrich before things get out of hand, btw the way the dialogue when they meet up and talk isn’t to be missed I mean kudos to Pat on her remarks regarding Liesel’s look. Perhaps she will start working with Robyn more closely or at least start trusting her more because what happens this issue well yeah.
So where was Rotter and what are Marian and Sam up to that’s covered here too, well it’s started to be covered here.
I love that this remains a solidly written book focusing on characterization and storytelling and while the Succubus is sexy she’s not trashy looking. Heck even Liesel’s look is a mixture of modern hip and old school mixed with some elements of steampunk. Roberta continues to impress me with what she brings to this series. She really shines here and her talent is pretty undeniable.
I think in it’s writing, interior artwork and through consistency this is Zenescope’s best and strongest book.