DEJAH THORIS (VOL. 4) #2, from Dynamite Comics on 4/19/23, finds Dejah and Rroo butting heads over whether or not to save a Green Martian. Meanwhile, Lord Moak welcomes thousands of new additions to the family.
The Details
- Written by: Chuck Brown
- Art by: Emiliana Pinna
- Colors by: Ellie Wright
- Letters by: Jeff Eckleberry
- Cover art by: Jung-Geun Yoon
- Comic Rating: Teen +
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: April 19, 2023
Is It Good?
DEJAH THORIS (VOL. 4) #2 continues the early days of a Princess of Mars after fleeing her city in the midst of a Kaldanes attack. The story by Chuck Brown hasn’t quite found its footing or direction, but the narrative is coming into focus. However, a loose story can’t cover surprisingly terrible art.
When last we left Dejah Thoris and her handmaiden Rroo, they fled the city and were making their way through the nearby woods when they encountered a Green Martian about to be consumed by a Calot tree. Now, Rroo’s compassion and Dejah’s fighting talents are brought to bear just before Lord Moak unleashes a new attack.
We weren’t sold on Chuck Brown’s first issue, but DEJAH THORIS (VOL. 4) #2 shows the inklings of promise. Dejah and Rroo are oddly relaxed in the midst of a full-scale invasion, and the plot (so far) doesn’t appear to be anything more than an escape, but Dejah now appears to position herself for a fight you can get behind, even if the particulars are still a mystery. The pacing is good, the dialog is okay but could be better, and the cliffhanger is solid.
In short, this issue didn’t miraculously turn around all the problems from issue #1, but the story is turning in the right direction.
As for the art, it’s a mystery. We’ve seen better work from Pinna by many magnitudes, so it’s a surprising disappointment to see panels in this issue that look downright awful. Truly, there are a few spots in this issue where the figure work looks like a grade-schooler drew the anatomy. There’s no pleasure in laying out this criticism, but the amateurish art delivery in some of these panels is shocking.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our DEJAH THORIS (VOL. 4) #1 review to find out what happened to the capital city.
We begin with Dehah Thoris and Rroo arguing over whether or not to save the Green Martian they encountered at the end of the last issue. Dejah, still young in ruling wisdom, orders Rroo to leave the Green Martian to the Calot tree. Rroo’s compassion gets the best of her, and she charges the tree to save who she believes is an innocent. Dejah reluctantly joins in the fight.
Elsewhere, Lord Moak is interrupted while creating more Rykors with news that the Queen is about to give birth. Lord Moak races to the Queen’s side in time to see thousands of her tiny spider offspring spreading over the surrounding areas. Lord Moak is delighted for her blessed event and for a new, hungry weapon to unleash on Barsoom.
We conclude the issue with a cultural exchange, mistrust, and a hungry weapon on the move.
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Final Thoughts
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DEJAH THORIS (VOL. 4) #2 takes a few steps of improvement forward on the story to bring Deja’s survival adventure into focus. However, the art is shockingly incomplete and amateurish.
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