Review – Mythic #3 (Image Comics)

Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Phil Hester
Artist: John McCrea
Release Date: 29th July 2015

Wanna see a giant baby wrestling a dinosaur? You got it!

Delivering on the promise made at the conclusion of the last issue, Hester and McCrea present the epic toddler/lizard confrontation over the course of the first three pages, making it seem entirely plausible in the process. As a concept, it might easily be dismissed as laughably absurd, but I believe the key to it and the series’ success so far, is in how the creative team lend enough dramatic weight to the script and images to securely tether the illogical.

After the frenetic spectacle of the book’s opening, there is an expected drop in momentum as Hester slows the action to a more deliberate pace by separating the central trio into two teams. Hester uses the split to tell us more about the backgrounds of Waterson and Cassandra, with the latter’s philosophical musings on the disadvantages of foresight, and the former’s lamenting of the ravages of time on memory bringing a pensive tone to proceedings. All the same, it’s an absorbing diversion from the action that adds depth to each character, but as yet, we know next to nothing about Nate or the origin of his seemingly innate skills.

The mystery surrounding the orchestrated attacks on Mythic Lore Support teams across the globe is further explored, with the emergence of figures from Norse mythology hinting at a Ragnarok type end-of-the-world scenario. Hester even finds room to introduce a buxom fertility Goddess and a self-conscious Cyclops to the growing roster of mythological figures, and it’s a testament to his skill as a writer that he is able to weave each of these story elements into the narrative, whilst furthering the plot and providing each character with a very distinct voice.

McCrea’s pencils are on point once again, and the issue features his best work on the series to date. His visually arresting and dynamic compositions run the gamut from high action, to quiet drama, to the horrific and macabre, with some truly magical creature concepts on show. Colourist Michael Spicer assuredly balances the bold, deep inks with a restrained, subtly textured colour palette, which tastefully complements the tone of each scene.

Although this issue moves at a slower tempo than the previous two, nonetheless it’s a thoroughly engrossing read, which builds on the impressive groundwork already laid down, and features some of the best comic artwork on the shelves today.

Rating: 4/5.

The Writer of this piece was: Martin Doyle
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