Zenescope Entertainment 2018
Written by Chuck Dixon
Illustrated by Julius Abrera
Coloured by Robby Beyard
Lettered by Taylor Esposito of Ghost Glyph Studio
After a daring and dangerous escape from a sadistic super-max prison, Robyn is finally back home where she belongs. But as she re-acclimates to her “normal” life in New York City, a new evil has been released and Marian Quin needs Robyn’s help to send it back from where it came… But this battle is about to get more personal than either of these friends could have imagined, and nothing will ever be the same!
I was kind of excited for this knowing that Chuck was going to be writing it and after the first issue I have to say I wasn’t let down in the slightest! The opening here is fantastic as we see Robyn with city backdrop behind her getting down to business. Immediately you see this is a bonafide traditional style superhero comic book and kind of gives me a chill. I mean its exciting, gorgeous and everything we want in a comic book as it is fresh and now but reminds you of the classic 70’s-80’s books before all the stylisation by artists took place.
Let’s face it Chuck’s written more books than I can list and he’s familiar with Archers, Detectives and the Supernatural and since this encompasses them all buckle up kids its going to be a bumpy ride! In New York it would appear that Demons are on the rise and that doesn’t portend well for our heroine. However before she has a chance to sink her teeth into that on the other side of the continent, San Diego to be precise, an event is unfolding that will reunite two old friends.
Wow so the story structure here couldn’t be any better. We get an opening that screams at us, grabbing our attention and leaving us wanting more. This leads into an event happening as far from Robyn as one can get and yet it still causes her to drop everything to go help. The transition from segment to segment is smooth as silk and the way the whole issue flows reminds us why he’s the most prolific author in comics today. Plus the characterisation that he brings to this is exceptional! He seems to have done his research here as the all certainly act along the lines we expect of them.
I will say seeing Marian and Sam I am reminded that sometimes we do stupid things out of love for another even when we know it’s the wrong thing to do. Then again if she hadn’t the story wouldn’t be what it is. Also the inclusion of new characters, we’re in San Diego after all, gives Chuck that opportunity to create them from the ground up and I like that, more so when it’s cops and they’ve got weird murders that give them a headache.
Julius brings to the table that classic look and feel of comics from back in the day. He’s got exceptional attention to detail here and the weight of the linework is perfectly done. The way page layouts are used and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels showcases and marvellous eye for storytelling. That he has the ability to utilise backgrounds to their maximum potential is another stellar quality of his. I couldn’t be any happier with the look, tone and feel of the interior artwork here and a shout out to Robby here for his outstanding job colouring this. The tones he gets and tweaks to things like seeing reflections in glass and such make his contribution just as important to seeing the big picture here.
Zenescope has picked up their game and their strong with the force right now. With an interesting story that is new reader friendly as well as comfortable for long time fans, with some great pacing, characterisation and tongue in cheek humour which is surrounded by a level of artwork that we need to see more of and well this folks is a must have book!