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Review: “Pretty Deadly” # 4

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“Pretty Deadly” hits its stride. After two confusing issues of introductions the characters motivations are clearly in place and the main conflict of the story rears its ugly head. In retrospect Kelly Sue Deconnick and Emma Rios have done an incredible job layering all the reveals throughout previous issues. Which creates an incredibly rewarding reading experience this month. Don’t miss this issue.


WRITTEN BY: Kelly Sue Deconnick
ART BY: Emma Rios
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: January 22, 2014

“Pretty Deadly” remains a difficult book to review. For some the slower pace might dissuade them from reading on. For those with a little more patience, the read will be tremendously fulfilling, there is a deep history to this book that cannot possibly expose itself within one issue.

This is a story of jealously, love, destiny, and most importantly death. All things that are becoming abundantly more clear as the series progresses. The fantasy elements of the plot rise to prominence this month to clearly distinguish the characters reactions to the history we learnt last month. The result is a fast paced issue that dovetails every story beautifully in line for what will amount to be an incredible conclusion.

For all its wild characters, for all the wild stories, and for all the madness it appears there was one clear and distinct through line for everyone: Death. Death looms over everything in this book, and his appearance in this issue manages to deepen the world and provide Emma Rios with an incredible opportunity to strut her stuff.

Her work here is absolutely stunning. Her pencils are light and fleeting. When we first encounter Death. His lair is filled with tiny intricate details. The layering of which seems like it could topple at any moment. The entire book has a sense of being whisked away by the wind. Frail elements in this world truly bring her style to life. A butterfly’s wings are drawn with such fragility that they feel real. You want to reach out and touch them, but won’t for free of destroying its beauty.

“Pretty Deadly” didn’t have me at first. I was skeptical that the story would ever pay off and was worried that the plot was needlessly complicated. Now I see how wrong I was. The payoff in this issue is wonderfully simple in its execution.

Westerns are propelled by death. The death of a town, a lawman, or an innocent usually jump-starts the conflict. This book has made the effort to personify the unsightly creature to great effect. The result is a inescapable tenants of human nature. Even Death itself cannot be free from the power of love.

The supernatural elements concoct this unique stew in the western world that cooks to perfection in this issue. Everything is tightly crafted. Deconnick and Rios always knew where the story was going, they just weren’t afraid to take the time necessary to get there on their own terms. It’s a brave method of storytelling in this ADD – second screen infused world. This book is beautiful, heart wrenching, and action packed in all the right ways.

Rating: 4.5/5 Skulls

Comics

‘The Wicked Trinity’ – Preview New Archie Comics One-Shot Inspired by ‘The Craft’ [Exclusive]

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From Sabrina’s Magical World, Bloody Disgusting has learned this afternoon that Archie Comics will be releasing brand new one-shot comic The Wicked Trinity this coming June.

You’ll be able to meet The Wicked Trinity in the 32-page comic on June 12, 2024.

In The Wicked Trinity, “Sabrina’s magical nemesis Amber Nightstone and her sidekicks, Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill, are intent on becoming the most powerful witches in the world. Isolated from so many around them, the three have formed a coven based on their individual needs for vengeance and true freedom.

“But when there is some dissent among the ranks, their small coven is threatened to be obliterated from within.”

The Wicked Trinity features a script by Sam Maggs, art by Lisa Sterle, colors by Ellie Wright, letters by Jack Morelli, main cover by Lisa Sterle, and variant cover by Soo Lee.

Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante tells Bloody Disgusting, “When Editor-In-Chief Mike Pellerito came up with the idea of the Wicked Trinity—Amber Nightstone, Jade Kazane, and Sapphire Gill—I was immediately intrigued. I even had the good fortune to work on the script for Jade and Sapphire’s first appearance in last year’s SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR comic for younger readers. What I especially loved about these magical teens is that they could seamlessly transcend from classic-Archie stories into more mature, even horror stories. I was eager to start developing their world with a modern sensibility, taking cues from the great work of Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish on our SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH series, and Sarah Kuhn and Carola Borelli on our recent DARKLING one-shot. Inspired by series like Charmed and films like The Craft, I knew there was so much potential to build up this coven in a story that beautifully blends magical fantasy with horror.”

Writer Sam Maggs previews, “Real witches writing real witches—that’s how we do things over at Archie Comics! I was named after a famous witch—Samantha from Bewitched—and so I grew up absolutely obsessed with everything witchcraft, devouring every book series I could about teen witches. That makes WICKED TRINITY a dream project for me. The power and energy of teen girls is absolutely unmatched (just look at the engine behind fandom culture) and being able to harness that metaphorically for a story like this is such a delight. Everything I write focuses on the power of female friendship, and this story is no exception. And what’s better than a morally grey female character? I struggle to think of anything. Cat familiars, maybe? Also, I’m totally a practicing witch now. So maybe if you read this, you’ll find yourself imbued with magical powers, too.*

Artist Lisa Sterle adds, “I can’t wait for people to be re-introduced to The Wicked Trinity! Witches, fashion, and Archie Comics; this is truly a magical trifecta and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to put my own personal stamp on this. I love to create stories in which girls find their own power, both from within themselves and through their friendships and coven. If you’re a fan of my Modern Witch tarot, you’ll find this comic just as magical.”

Exclusively check out the two covers for The Wicked Trinity one-shot comic below!

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