Review: Robyn Hood #12 (Zenescope)

ROBYN HOOD #12 “A Tale of Rot”

Publisher: Zenescope

Available: 7/1/2015

Creative Team: Pat Shand (writer/editor), Roberta Ingranata (artwork), Slamet Mujiono (colors), Jim Campbell (letters), Christopher Cote/Joi Dariel (production & design)

The Story

Robyn Hood #12 gives us a standalone issue, focused around a character named ‘The Rotter’. Cursed with immortality, as his body slowly decays, he comes to Robyn and Marian to end his curse so that he may finally die. You don’t need to have read previous issues to understand what’s happening. It’s a nice character piece that gives readers a breather before the next big story. New readers will not feel lost. You really get a feel for who these characters are and how they relate to one another. The issue is void of action but the story is there and the emotional beats are well executed by Shand. Even though the central plot is to discover how to kill a man, cursed to rot for eternity, it's a very touching story.

Shand delivers a morality defining moment for Robyn, in a subtle way, which works for readers who are engaged with the story.

The Art

Roberta Ingranata does an excellent job making these characters seem fluid on the page. Not all comic book storytelling is flashy, splash pages. In an issue that lacks action, it was important that Ingranata show these characters as anything but stiff and void of personality. A feat that was well executed. The backgrounds were simple but carried enough detail to set the scenes. The characters all looked proportionate as they were scattered throughout each panel. Facial expressions were especially well done to convey the the proper emotions. The coloring is soft and well shaded to add depth to each panel. It seems simple, but the use of black-and-white for the flashbacks is a nice touch.

Each panel was pretty straightforward as there were no alternate angles used; whether it was by choice (or that’s just Ingranata’s style), it’s hard to say.

Favorite NON-Spoiler(ish) Line

"You know, I tried counting to ten, tried thinking positive, but now I kind of just want to see what color you freaks bleed." - Robyn

Summary

This story is every bit as good as you’ll find between the pages of comics published by the ‘big two’. Pat Shand continues to thrive as a writer, breathing life into characters you didn’t think you could care about. It’s a wonderful story that defines how we are limited by the confines of our own moralities. This issue may feel like it’s about ‘The Rotter’, on the surface, but it’s every bit an exploration of who Robyn Hood chooses to be. Robyn Hood #12 is a worthy chapter in the on-going series and is highly recommended.