Comic Review: Isola #6

Isola #6

Image Comics

Writer: Brenden Fletcher and Karl Kerschl

Artist: Karl Kerschl and MSassyK

Isola is back for the new year with issue 6, which picks up right where chapter one left off. Queen Olwyn is a luminescent tiger, once again, #5 has been more than a dream but perhaps less than objective reality. Readers can’t help but wonder how much magic is involved compared to the character’s own psyche–and #6 is no different.

Story:

Isola thrives on visions, whether psychological or magical, that give readers a glimpse into the true problems the characters face. When Queen Olwyn wakes early in the morning and has a vision of her mother in the nearby pond, the older woman is quickly transformed into some type of spirit monster before it vanishes. The quick scene leaves readers to wonder what caused the real relationship between mother and daughter to sour.

Later, Rook discovers a camp of soldiers from her homeland. While it’s dangerous, she has no choice but to approach and, dressed in the same armor and gear, steal supplies from the soldiers.

Characters:

While raiding the supply tent, Rook is identified by a new character, a young boy who has been told the Queen has been kidnapped and/or murdered. However, his boyish nature gives Rook the time to explain the Queen is under an evil enchantment. It fills in this boys knowledge and catches readers up to speed on the plotline, character arcs, and tension building threads.

The other prominent characters in this issue, Rook and Olwyn don’t develop much. The problems they face in #6 seem little changed from that of issues 1-5. It leaves little room for new developments in the two protagonist’s character arcs.

Art:

The art is the glue of Isola. While this may be true of other comics, Kerschl and MSassyk draw the narrative along with beautiful, yet haunting images. The color schemes they use provide a truly atmospheric experience. In short, the art delivers what Isola readers have come to expect, beauty in storytelling.

Conclusion:

While many readers have looked forward to the return of Isola, some may feel a bit let down by this issue. Little that happens in #6 feels essential to the larger plot. Rather, the first installment of chapter 2, feels more like a reintroduction to the world, characters, and plights that bog them down–offering little that is new. The interest in subsequent issues will be whether the writers can make this issue feel as invaluable as others.