BY THE HORNS #4 – Review

In BY THE HORNS #4, available from Scout Comics on August 11th, 2021, Elodie and the unicorns battle the second wizard to free the surviving unicorns and end the cabal’s evil plan.

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The Details

• Written By: Markisan Naso
• Art By: Jason Muhr
• Colors By: Andrei Tabacaru
• Letters By: Jason Muhr
• Cover Art By: Jason Muhr, Andrei Tabacaru
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: August 11, 2021

Was It Good?

Up to this point, the series has been consistently excellent. Thankfully, issue #4 continues the trend.

At the end of the last issue, the story sets up a typical DnD-style quest arc where the main hero has to go around the kingdom to defeat each wizard. It’s a reliable setup albeit a bit safe.

Here, Naso does two things with that safe setup that breathes a bit of fresh air into the story.

First, we waste no time getting to the second wizard once the quest is established. Instead of slowing down the pace of the series with a partial filler issue describing the journey to get from point A to point B, readers are dropped right into the action. this issue hits you with energy from page one.

Second, Naso raises the stakes with a preview showing the third wizard isn’t waiting around to be found and has taken the offensive in this quest. the stories pace is escalating without rushing, and that makes for excellent tension.

As for the art, there’s not a lot to say. we check out every Scout issue weekly, and this title has the best art of anything Scout has going… hands down. It’s simply gorgeous.

In all, what seemed like a vanilla story setup takes a welcome turn into high stakes and high energy storytelling, topped with a healthy helping of outstanding art.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]

Before you read another word, check out our BY THE HORNS #3 review to get caught up.

We pick up in the middle of the big battle between Elodie and her comrades against Pazuzunox, the fire wizard. As noted in the previous section, there’s no lengthy lead-up to show the group traveling to find the wizard. We’re just in it.

Pazuzunox seems unbeatable until Elaine informs the group she’s identified a vulnerable spot. The end of the battle, and the bonding afterward, have a distinct buddy cop feel. Elodie tries to hold onto her anger for the unicorns, but the more they work together and she gets to know them, the more her vendetta seems unlikely.

Meanwhile, the third wizard goes on the offensive, and we conclude the issue with an all-out assault on Elodie’s home village.

Final Thoughts

BY THE HORNS #4 is the one positive example of a creator “subverting expectations” you’ll find anywhere. The creators take a standard quest arc and give it an extra push for a high-octane story.

Score: 9.5/10