In By The Horns: Dark Earth #7, stranded in the northern tundra of Ataraxy after narrowly escaping death, a weary Elodie and her team travel toward the Arctic Sleep to face the sorceress, Feng Po. But are they already too late to stop her from stealing all the magic on the continent?
It’s always a good day when a new By The Horns issue hits my inbox. What I wasn’t really expecting, or indeed prepared for, was an issue quite like this.
Naso and Muhr have structured the comic in such a way that it’s an illustrated journal from Evelyn’s perspective. It’s a book that highlight’s the companion’s journey through Evelyn’s, uh, point of view (I wanted to say “eye” but she’s a giant eyeball so that felt a bit too on the nose with an accidental pun), whilst also serving as a really good jumping on point for new readers to By The Horns as a full series; the brilliant part is that despite catching you up, it doesn’t actually spoil the previous events any more than it absolutely must. The issue also acts as a great refresher for those of us who have been reading since the beginning given the break between the sixth and seventh issues.
Writer Markisan Naso, artist Jason Muhr, and colorist Steve Canon deliver an absolutely flawless comic. While the only voice heard this issue is Evelyn’s, through her Naso delivers a powerful message of love and support for those going through dark times. We read how Evelyn, now in a better place, reflects back upon her past and admits the struggles she went through; indeed, there are times where you know she knows what she’s doing, but through Naso’s writing there’s a genuine sense of her being unable to do anything about it. She’s stuck. She doesn’t know what to do or how to get out. It’s here that we see the impact Elodie, Sajen and the unicorns Rigby and Zoso have had on Evelyn’s life, and the hope that they bring her. It’s a story that’ll resonate with those who have felt alone, or that there’s a weight bearing down on them. It’s a story about finding the light in the people who love you.
Because the story is told by way of a journal, Muhr has free reign to draw… whatever it is he wanted to draw, which allows him to draw some stunning vistas of a new continent, and this being a fantasy comic, there are so many wonderful things to look at in this book that it really deserves a third reading just to absorb Muhr’s artwork. As good as Muhr is, though, it’s Steve Canon’s colouring that makes the pages pop. Night skies are vibrant, the grasses are verdant and the violence bloody. The artwork matches the beauty of the story, if not the exact events being recounted. Frankly, it’s stunning.
By The Horns: Dark Earth #7 is one of the best comics I have read in a long time, and whether you’re reading this as a standalone story (which you can), or as part of the full series… either way you’re in for an absolutely amazing time.
Story: Markisan Naso Art/Lettering: Jason Muhr Colors: Steve Canon
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy
Scout Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review. Alex also purchased a physical copy of all comics referenced within the review.
Check out the By The Horns Kickstarter for an exclusive hardcover of the first volume of By The Horns: Dark Earth.
Purchase: Scout Comics – Zeus Comics – TFAW
Source: Graphic Policy
