In DEJAH THORIS: WINTER’S END, available from Dynamite Comics on April 28th, 2021, the heroes and villains of Barsoom are given a short story to reflect on where they’ve been and what’s at stake in the coming war against the Longborn.
The Details
- Written By: Assorted
- Art By: Assorted
- Colors By: Assorted
- Letters By: Assorted
- Cover Art By: Joseph Michael Linsner
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Release Date: April 28, 2021
Was It Good?
It was okay. Not bad. Not great. Just okay.
This is a mini-anthology book and each story gives you a deeper look at some of the key players besides Dejah Thoris. On the whole, the writing is good. The art, while a bit inconsistent (some shorts are better than others), is generally decent quality.
You can take a peak at some of the art in our DEJAH THORIS: WINTER’S END preview right here.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD]
Since this is an anthology, we’ll break down each story separately, what worked, and what didn’t.
Winter’s End Prologue/Epilogue
Dan Abnett (writer) | Alessandro Miracolo (art) | Dearbhla Kelly (colors) |Simon Bowland (letters for the whole book)
Dejah Thoris on her recent victories. She reunited the Green Nations and reclaimed the Helium throne. Work with her advisors, she learns there are more enemies who have been helping Kurz Kantos, and they must be rooted out.
Meanwhile, John and Cathoris are recovering from their enchantment. Dejah is relieved to have her husband and son returned, but she fears their years away and memory loss may never fully return to who they were before they disappeared.
This story is tied for the strongest art of the book and the most direct story relative to the coming war. Abnett infuses Dejah with a quiet strength that reflects a true leader that worries for her people and doing what’s right, knowing war means death.
Young Dejah / Young Carter
Will Robson (writer, artist) | Greg Menzie (Colors)
In side-by-side panels, we watch how young Dejah and young John experienced similar tracks in life under mentors who intended to teach them the ways of hunting, survival, and what it means to overcome obstacles.
Kudos to the art here for taking a gimmicky approach of mirrored storytelling that splits right down the page but doesn’t feel like a gimmick. The art uses the split-screen to enhance the story in a parallel track that works for each character. The coming-of-age story, while not terribly original, reinforces the idea that John and Dejah are made for each other.
Family Legend
Jeff Parker (writer) | Jonathan Lau (art) | Andrew Dalhouse (colors)
Tars Tarkas and his daughter, Sola, are hunting (or being hunted by, depending on your POV) a white ape. Through the hunt, Tars reveals how he first killed a white ape more through blind luck than hunting prowess. Sola, now hearing the truth over the whispered legend, learns greater respect for her father through his honesty and integrity.
This story is the other pair of the tie for best art. Jonathan Lau can do no wrong at this point, and it shows in this short. The story also serves as a strong character piece that focuses on the relationship between father and daughter rather than a single character.
Bound
Nate Cosby, Jacob Edgar (writer) | Jacob Edgar (art) | Kike J. Diaz (colors)
We take a quick trip to the first moments when John Carter first arrived on Mars/Barsoom and how he struggled to move with the gravity difference.
This short is weak as a story but strong as a character moment. the scene is ripped right from the book and the (criminally underrated) film. The art is fine but the weakest of the book.
Afterlife on Mars
Jeff Parker (writer) | Jordi Perez (art) | Ellie Wright
Sabal Than has apparently survived her battle in the Helium throne room against Dejah Thoris, but something isn’t right. Sabal revels in her victory over Dejah. She loves recalling the look of defeat on her opponent’s face and the pain she inflicted on Dejah’s family and friends. Unfortunately, he memory doesn’t match reality and she awakens to find she’s being kept alive in a vine pod (possibly forever) so her sorcerer’s secrets won’t be lost to the afterlife.
It’s interesting to see such a powerful villain brought low, and the creative idea of a fate worse than death on Barsoom. The art is good and the disorienting color streaks help enhance the story by giving Sabal’s recollections a dreamy, psychedelic quality.
How Does It End?
John remembers what matters most. Cathoris isn’t ready to come back. Dejah has an errand to run, but it’s nothing she can’t handle.
Final Thoughts
DEJAH THORIS: WINTER’S END, available from Dynamite Comics on April 28th, 2021, is the best example possible of the calm before the storm. Quick, simple, efficient shorts that emphasize the importance of each character and prepare you for what’s going to happen next.
Score: 7.5/10
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