Benitez Productions 2016
Story & Script by Marcia Chen
Story & Pencils by Joe Benitez
Inked by Victor Llamas, Joe Weems & Victor Olazaba
Coloured by Studio F Mike Garcia
As Melanie searches for answers, finds friends and allies the dark forces that are coming for her continue to mount ever increasingly deadly attacks. I like that this issue picks up in Zoe’s Grams store where last issue left off.
I really like the way Marcia has paced this story and been able to showcase Melanie’s characterization growth. From having no one to finding Zoe and her gram has left her still shaken but she’s gaining confidence. Even when she heads home to gather her clothing for the reading and the incident on the street occurs it’s the kind of characterization that makes a character more relatable to. Sure instinct kicks in and while she may not understand it that she’s bonding with the Wraithborn force is abundantly clear.
These interiors are just phenomenal and so many moments that are breathtaking to see. When she runs into that huge gothic church it’s just so gorgeously detailed. Forget the priest and his condescending attitude and just marvel in the surroundings during that exchange. This is the kind of work where the backgrounds are essential in giving the reader the bigger picture to really give the emphasis to the feelings, tone and mood of what’s happening and they do that so very well here. Then there’s attention to detail in the clothing, armour and weaponry of these characters and it just amazes me that they can get this well detailed. You could stare for an hour taking in one image and when the new hound comes after then in the church well yeah there’s so much to see and none of it feels overdone.
I wish Valin were more trustworthy in my eyes. I’m getting the sense that he’ll do whatever is necessary to gain the power of the Wraithborn for himself even if that means lying and sacrificing Melanie for that power. I’m not sure if premature demise before a ritual to transfer the power to him ruins all that but his duality in regards to her seems off kilter to me. I just don’t know if I can trust him yet not matter how stinkin cool he looks, acts and fights.
I think this is how to do an origin story. It isn’t wham bam they know what they are doing it’s running scared and try to figure things out. Once the running is done and you realize that it’s fight or die you start to embrace what you’ve become and use the power and the instincts they bring to the table. So far we’re still in the running and figuring it out stage but as the story continues and the two overlap as it becomes clear that running won’t help well next issue with the end of this arc we’ll see just how powerful she can become when she embraces all this.
I kind of like that throughout the run(s) of this character we’ll see underlying desires from all sides to obtain the power she possesses. Hopefully she’ll have help to turn to in Zoe for assistance in things she has yet to understand and we’ll see how the story all began with her embracing her new life.
Here’s hoping that this re-release is setting the stage for a new arc to come because Melanie and this world she inhabits screams out for more exploration. She’s a fresh hope for a strong young female lead character and watching her evolution is delightful.