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Review: “Sovereign” #4

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Image describes “Sovereign” as an “epic fantasy in the tradition of Game of Thrones”. While this issue certainly demonstrates a comparable level of complexity, with massive swaths of exposition and a truly dizzying cast of characters, it fails to capture its audience’s attention in the same way. The accessibility that has made George R. R. Martin’s series a massive hit is nowhere to be seen here, and the final product suffers greatly as a result.

Sovereign_04-1

WRITTEN BY: Chris Roberson

ART BY: Paul Maybury

PUBLISHER: Image Comics

PRICE: $2.99

RELEASE: June 25, 2014

Review By: Ooknabah

Sovereign #4 is divided into three parts, chronicling the inhabitants of a city besieged by the undead. Names are scarce, as is context, even while additional intrigues play out over the course of the story. Not much actually happens over the course of the issue, although it all portends to greater action to come. Still, as a new, lost reader, it is difficult to care.

This may all be solved when the series is collected in trade format, as the dense plotting almost demands the ability to flip back to previous scenes to figure out how all the various storylines manage to fit together. Being unfamiliar with what has come before, there is no doubt that many details are passing me by unnoticed. However, there is little to encourage one to delve into those previous issues to retrieve that much needed set up based off what is presented here.

Chris Roberson’s writing captures the voice of your typical fantasy novel, however the individual voices of the characters are almost indistinguishable from each other and the long exposition that covers the first third of the issue fails to entice. Paul Maybury’s art manages to produce a unique look which captures a wide variety of designs, with mixed success. At the more emotionally charged moments of the story it captures the emotions of the characters or the horror of the undead that threaten to overrun our protagonists.  At its worst, it comes across as rushed and amateurish.  

Dense to the point of being almost impenetrable, Sovereign #4 presents a considerable challenge to the new reader. Perhaps readers of previous issues may be hooked at this point and will see fit to continue, but newcomers will have a hard time finding reasons to do so.

Ooknabah AKA Brent Hirose is a writer, actor and gigantic nerd from Vancouver B.C. You can listen to his podcast about that at HugeNerds.Podomatic.Com or check out his many other projects at BrentHirose.com

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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