ROSE #4 REVIEW
Summary: Rose's quest to find Thorne continues.
4
Exciting and fast-paced!
After being betrayed by Ila’s daughter-in-law, Rose must now search for Thorne on her own. However, this may prove harder than Rose anticipated, as Queen Drucilla will stop at nothing to bring the forces of evil down upon them both. Will Rose and Thorne find each other before it’s too late?
We begin this chapter in the village of Millhaven, with Rose and Ila surrounded by a group of the Queens guards. Things are looking bleak for these two, as they are cornered, outnumbered and trying to grapple with the sudden betrayal of Margaret, Ila’s daughter-in-law. Never to be underestimated, this crafty duo manages to wrangle their way out of this situation by Ila feigning that she is a decrepit old woman, when she is in fact ace at swinging her walking stick. Lucky for that, as Rose is struggling to tap into her guardian powers, as she is suffering from some kind of magic block. Whilst all of this is occurring, Fel and Will have finally caught up and are planning a surprise attack…a surprise in more ways than one, as unexpected recruits suddenly appear to help in their fight. Separated and away from the village, Rose must now begin the search for Thorne, however, Thorne himself is in a tricky situation, as demons from his past have come back to haunt him.
In the previous issue, Rose had unlocked her guardian powers, though she is still struggling to fully master them. In order for Rose to be able to fully understand and use her powers, she must find her Khat, Thorne. Only he can unlock her powers, thus releasing their full potential. I find it interesting that Rose’s path of self-discovery is a journey that she can only make with her companion, Thorne. It is through him that she will discover her true self and her purpose in life as a guardian. I rather like Rose, and find her frustration over her inability to use her powers relatable. There is fear, confusion and anxiety thrown in there, all emotions that would naturally result from being in this situation. I’m also hoping to see more of Queen Drucilla in future issues, as this ruthless depot has me intrigued. What drives this woman to be so evil? Has she had a traumatic experience happen to her, making her a vile and malevolent killer? Or, is she just an evil bitch, hell-bent of death and destruction?
Ig Guara’s art is fluid and full of energy, as we see Rose fight her way out of one situation and into another. The action sequences are fast-paced and exciting, with axes swinging and claws thrashing. There are a number of intense moments, especially when we see Rose face-off with one particularly nasty and dangerous lunatic. I’m also a sucker for Thorne, as I love how Guara draws this giant, hulking cat…sorry, Khat! Seeing him juxtaposed alongside the dead looking faces of the fallen guardians is a nice contrast, as he seems so much more vibrant and alive on the page. The colours, by Triona Farrell, heighten the overall ominous tone driving the narrative forward, as we see cool and somewhat frosty tones used. The random pops of colour that we see are successful in drawing attention to these scenes, marking them as significant moments within the narrative. I particularly loved the rich and colourful palette used in Drucilla’s temple, as seeing everything bathed in a warm and vivid glow contrasted nicely with the rest of the colour palette.
Rose #4 is an exciting and adrenaline-fuelled ride that keeps on going. Things are accelerating at a fast rate, forcing us to learn and discover the lore as the story unfolds. Whilst we have established Rose’s motivations and character, I would really like to see and learn more about Drucilla. For me, she is a mysterious, maniacal ice queen, who likes to hide out in her tower of doom. Who is she? Why does she do these things? These are things, a stickler like me needs to know!
Rose #4 is out July 12th. Get your copy ASAP and enjoy the fun ride.
I’m giving this issue 4 out of 5 stars!
COMIC DETAILS
CREATIVE TEAM: Meredith Finch, Ig Guara, Triona Farrell, Cardinal Rae and Andy Schmidt
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PUBLICATION DATE: July 12, 2017
REVIEWER: Dana Folkard
About the Author
Dana Folkard An absolute nerd with a passion for all things sci-fi! Lover of comics, coffee and Geralt of Rivia. Mother of Dragons!
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