BETTIE PAGE: THE ALIEN AGENDA #4, from Dynamite Comics on June 8th, 2022, brings Bettie and her team to Mexico in search of ancient alien weapons. They soon learn that trust is more valuable than gold.
The Details
- Written By: Ani-Mia
- Art By: Celor
- Colors By: Farah Nurmaliza
- Letters By: Carlos M. Mangual
- Cover Art By: Joseph Michael Linsner (cover A)
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: June 8, 2022
Was It Good?
BETTIE PAGE: THE ALIEN AGENDA #4 brings readers along for the next leg of Bettie’s journey as she searches for the hidden location of a cache of alien weapons. We’ve liked this take on Bettie Page as a government agent sent on missions involving the weird and supernatural, using her modeling gigs as a cover. Ani-Mia chose a perfect globe-trotting adventure that fits perfectly into Bettie’s dual life, and despite some pacing problems and uneven art, this series largely works. Is this issue the same, better, or worse than the previous ones? Better. This issue is much better.
The big positive in this issue is Ani_mia’s light, airy, wholesome writing for Bettie’s and her friends’ latest adventure in Mexico. The booby traps are creative with a mild hint of danger, slightly reminiscent of something out of an Indiana Jones film. The “tests” keep the ladies on the path and help inform the reader about the nobler qualities in each character. And the cliffhanger ending gives readers a wink and a nod with strong puzzle-solving curiosity to keep reading into the next issue.
As a bonus, Ani-Mia’s pacing in this issue, something we’ve criticized in the past issues, is much improved here. The story flows without fits and starts, and the brief montage sequence is handled much better.
There are two down points, albeit minor ones. First, light and airy mood can sometimes be too light and airy. Bettie and friends occasionally treat this expedition without the dire sense of danger implied when looking for alien weapons. If you didn’t know the context, you might think they were on a holiday picnic, so the dramatic tension is lacking.
Second, Celor’s art is generally good, but there are a few spots where the perspective and dramatic panel composition are simply lacking. For example, there’s a moment where Bettie and friends stop short before going off a cliff, but you never get a good look at the cliff or the scale of the drop, making what should be big scenes feel small.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Before you partake of the beauties of Mexico, remind yourself how Bettie got her by first reading our BETTIE PAGE: THE ALIEN AGENDA #3 review.
We begin with Bettie Page and friends sunning themselves on a Mexican beach before heading off to their next expedition in the morning. Bettie is increasingly suspicious that the trail leads to something that isn’t a weapon. But what?
The next morning, Bettie and her friends head out into the jungle, following the alien map. They soon discover that the journey is just as important as the destination since each stop challenges them to unlock the next section of the trail. Bettie encounters ancient stone markers, beautiful waterfalls, and life that hasn’t been seen in centuries.
We conclude the issue with a greeting party, an ancient pact, and the next clue.
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Final Thoughts
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BETTIE PAGE: THE ALIEN AGENDA #4 is a fine entry in the series, with decent art, much-improved pacing, a little bit of fun in the sun, and a brain teaser to keep you occupied until the next issue. The light fun lacks tension in both the writing and art, but it’s still a pleasant read.
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