BY THE HORNS: DARK EARTH #7, from Scout Comics on March 15, 2023, takes a breather from the adventure to deliver a stunningly poignant soliloquy from Evelyn about her life during and after enslavement.
The Details
- Written by: Markisan Naso, Jason Muhr
- Art by: Jason Muhr
- Colors by: Steve Canon
- Letters by: Jason Muhr
- Cover art by: Jason Muhr, Steve Canon
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: March 15, 2023
Is It Good?
If BY THE HORNS: DARK EARTH #7 was a film, it would be the kind of film referred to as “Oscar Bait.” Markisan Naso and Jason Muhr pause the overall arc for an Evelyn-centric issue wherein she/it opines feelings of isolation and loneliness, gratitude over the beauty of life, and a deep need to hold on to the love of friends as protection against dark thoughts.
In other words, this is a deeply moving and personal reflection of a person’s life, a person who happens to be the sentient, tentacled eyeball of a long-dead giant. For readers who crave the action/adventure antics that come with a fantasy story, realign your expectations.
There’s no action to be found in this comic. Nor is there a plot or progression on the arc. This a detour for readers to get to know Evelyn’s innermost thoughts and feelings. That’s not a bad thing because Naso and Muhr handle the emotional depth with a refreshing amount of candor and sincerity for a stand-alone issue that’s as heartbreaking as it is uplifting.
Evelyn’s thoughts paint a vivid picture of a person struggling with depression. She/it expresses feeling with vivid imagery through the description of her actions and what she sees in others and the world around her. Through her, you feel a strong sympathy for someone terrified of loneliness and so very grateful when the love of her friends keeps the darkness at bay.
As noted in our previous reviews of By The Horns, Jason Muhr’s art style is positively exquisite. The lines, figures, settings, and especially Steve Canon’s colors are simply the best of any Scout title.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with Evelyn, the sentient eye of a dead giant and former slave, introducing herself to the reader. Evelyn recounts her life as a slave to the evil wizard Futen, what her life has become since emancipation with the help of Elodie and Sajen, and the ups and downs of her emotional state every day.
As the issue progresses, we learn the details of Evelyn’s past and how she feels about the present. The past and present are always separate but never far from Evelyn’s thoughts. Every day is a gift that comes with the struggle against the darkness of Evelyn’s worst moments.
We conclude the issue with a message of encouragement and hope.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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BY THE HORNS: DARK EARTH #7 takes an odd yet surprisingly profound detour from the main arc for an Evelyn-centric issue discussing the highs and lows of loneliness, love, depression, and happiness. The writing is powerfully poignant, and the art is exquisite.
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