In BARBARELLA (VOL. 2) #3, available from Dynamite Comics on September 22nd, 2021, Barbarella and Vix head to a water world to find the one responsible for the mind control signal only to find an aquatic slave colony and a familiar face.
The Details
- Written By: Sarah Hoyt
- Art By: Madibek Musabekov
- Colors By: Ivan Nunes
- Letters By: Carlos M. Mangual
- Cover Art By: Lucio Parrillo (cover A)
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: September 22, 2021
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Was It Good?
It’s not bad, but it feels like a few plot points were rushed. This is the weakest issue of the series so far. However, this series is still one of the better comics out right now in terms of character work and spectacular art.
Speaking about the strengths of the issue, Hoyt’s character work is near-miraculous in terms of taking an admittedly odd, main character and making her completely strong and relatable vulnerable at the same time. Hoyt’s version of Barbarella could be considered the template for female comic heroes for years to come.
The other positive is the artwork. It’s simply gorgeous, and not enough praise can be directed at Ivan Nunes for the coloring work. The hair, the contour shading, and everything else about the colors in this comic are nothing short of magical. I will continue to stand on the hill that says this is the best artwork you can find in any large(ish) publisher at the moment.
That said, this issue isn’t all glowing praise. There are few plot points that crop up in this issue with absolutely no explanation, leaving the impression that there wasn’t enough time or space to flesh those points out. Several somethings happen. In at least one case, the characters acknowledge one of those out-of-the-blue somethings happen. (Spoilerific specifics are in the next section if you want the dirty details) And they agree to not address it… yet.
In writing terms, it’s a Deus Ex Machina. You can get away with introducing one only under the best of circumstances. When you start introducing two or three, you’re entering rushed/no-no territory.
Overall, these punctuated down points make for an uneven reading experience. The general plot is a good one, but again, this is the weakest issue in the series so far.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
You can fall in love with our reviews, but don’t fall in love with Barbarella in this issue until you first read our BARBARELLA (VOL. 2) #2 review.
After the events of the last issue, Barbarella and Vix are given a loaner spacecraft by the leaders of Camelot. Little does she know that one of the leaders is working for the villain and has sabotaged the ship. Barbarella leaves in the sabotaged ship heading for the water world of Encantado.
When the ship arrives at Encantado, it immediately disintegrates upon making contact with the water. However, Barbarella and Vix somehow are able to withstand the water pressure at the bottom of the sea and breathe underwater (deus ex machina #1). They’re found and brought back to the colony by a pair of filled people who work at the colony under the iron-fisted control of the Bosses.
Barbarella learns the people have no memory of their life before the colony and they’re repurposed slaves working in radioactive mines. She further learns that the tech used to rework their bodies and minds into compliant slaves comes from Qruyx Benevolence, a consortium of galaxies skilled in nanite production.
We conclude the issue with Vix interfacing with the computer systems to shut down the mind control (deus ex machina #2), the arrival of “the Lady” as the Bosses Boss, and the reappearance/ resurrection of Barbarella’s lost love (deus ex machina #3) to call in reinforcements.
Final Thoughts
BARBARELLA (VOL. 2) #3 contains the best character- and artwork you’ll find anywhere. This month’s adventure brings the titular character one step closer to confronting the mysterious big bad, and the story is full of surprises. That said, some of the surprises are either poorly explained or not explained at all, making for an uneven reading experience.
Score: 8/10
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