MONOMYTH #3, from Mad Cave Studios on 7/19/23, pits the surviving students against the giant monsters who reached the castle’s doors. Sadly, a monster doesn’t always start as a monster.
The Details
- Written by: David Hazan
- Art by: Cecilia Lo Valvo
- Colors by: Marissa Louise
- Letters by: Lucas Gottoni
- Cover art by: Cecilia Lo Valvo
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: July 19, 2023
Is It Good?
MONOMYTH #3 whittles down the group of survivors to a manageable size, which makes for a more focused and impactful reading experience. David Hazan gives each student room to shine and gives the characters the growth they need to get along or butt heads for an improvement in drama levels.
When last we left the collection of students, they encountered a collection of spider-limbed wraiths with the power to force each student to relive twisted versions of their most painful memories. Most of the students fought their way out of the illusion, but one student died for his trouble. Now, Kole, Kerra, Vivienne, and Julia remain, and their search for Homunculus leads to an open door and the invasion of the giant beasts from the woods.
What’s great about this issue? MONOMYTH #3 is the first issue in the series where the students “carefully” use their wands to solve the challenges presented. Julia seems to be more in tune than the others about how to use the wands effectively, and her advice pays off with spectacularly magical dividends. As a bonus, Cecilia Lo Valvo’s dark, brooding imagery piles on heaps of creepy atmosphere.
What’s not so great about this issue? While thinning the group helps to give each character a little more time to shine, Hazan struggles with making any of them or their current predicament memorable. There’s still no clue as to what’s happening, what the wizards intend, or why these people were selected to do. It feels like an imaginative setting for a generic horror movie where the characters don’t matter, and the hook is the creative kills.
The second down point of the issue is the art. Yes, it’s true that Lo Valvo effectively creates a dark, creepy atmosphere. However, the inks are rough and lacking in detail; so much so that you often can’t tell what you’re looking at. There are several spots where the succession of panels looks like a scratchy blob of shapes that blend from one to the other. Atmosphere is good, but not at the expense of clarity.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our MONOMYTH #2 review to find out how the twisted memory illusions affected each student.
We begin with Vivienne mourning the loss of her friend after the wraith attack. The group eventually realizes they need to come up with a plan of escape instead of splitting up or recklessly charging in random directions. Reluctantly, the group decides to find Homunculus.
When the group reaches the castle’s foyer, they find what they presume is Homunculus’s remains, and the castle doors wide open. Fearing the beasts of the wood are inside, the group runs through the opposite hall, but the beasts pounce. The Russian uses his wand, with Julia’s coaching to create a fire blast to hold the beast s back. Julia then uses her wand to push the beasties back to the woods, but her magic has a side effect – she sees the origin of the beasts and the wounded people they once were.
We conclude the issue with conversions, life-or-death choice, and a name scratched off a list.
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Final Thoughts
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MONOMYTH #3 whittles down the group of survivors and increases the magic battles for a creepy atmospheric chapter. While the atmosphere is interesting, the characters lack development, and the absence of information about the wizard makes the story feel aimless.
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