Comic Review: Sparrowhawk #5

Sparrowhawk #5

Boom! Studios

Writer: Delilah S. Dawson

Artist: Matias Basla

Sparrowhawk came a long way in just five issues. This mini-series tells the story of a bi-racial teen, Artemisia, in the 1850s. But most of the plot takes place in the world of Faerie, a magical world in which might is right. Faerie also serves as a simplified metaphorical world, parallel to our own. In each issue of Sparrowhawk, Artemisia faces a series of ethical challenges, how she deals with each makes her either stronger or weaker in the world of Faerie; but to become strong, she must kill indiscriminately. Finally, the final issue is here, and Artemisia must return home.

After she destroys/kills everything in her path Artemisia is finally strong enough to go home. There is, however, one last hitch. Artemisia enters Faerie when she’s pulled through a mirror but the evil Faerie queen. To get home, Artemisia must do the same. So, she waits at the mirror, until someone she doesn’t know (or has forgotten) uses the mirror, and grabs them up and switches places with them. Like a monstrous Cinderella, Artemisia rushes to The Crystal Palace to confront the Fae queen, who has taken on her appearance, intent on subjugating all humanity. There are words. There is a battle. Battles are best when you don’t know who wins, though, so I won’t say.

Sadly, one of the most intriguing characters is not in this final. Crispin, the adorable, yet murderous faerie monster cannot travel to the human world, and so readers are deprived of his company (for the most part). Much of the character development throughout this issue is done via dialogue before and during Artemisia’s battle with the Fae queen. It’s not wholly interesting in the sense that people intend to fight to the death don’t speak much–because what’s the point? The result: this issue doesn’t show how characters act and feel as much as it tells, and that makes the whole thing fall flat. It’s not a bad final issue, but it’s not stunning either. With the dark tone this whole line has set, I was hoping for something more extravagant than a sword fight between two parties intent on explaining themselves to each other (and readers).

The art in this piece, as a whole is unlike any other comic. It is cartoonish while being grim, silly and bloody at the same time. The color palette used throughout this issue, but also previous ones, is putrid and astounding. While the end may not have lived up to its billing, if you’re a fan of whimsical and dark faerie tales with art to match, this is definitely for you.