NYX #4 – Review

NYX #4, from Dynamite Comics on February 16th, 2022, finds Nyx taking drastic steps to rid herself of her humanity to live a settled life. Unfortunately, risky procedures develop dangerous consequences.

The Details

• Written By: Christos Gage
• Art By: Marc Borstel
• Colors By: Jordi Escuin Llorach
• Letters By: Taylor Esposito
• Cover Art By: Rose Besch (cover A)
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: February 16, 2022

Wait! Don’t Forget To Sign Up For The Comical Opinions Newsletter.

Was It Good?

Well, hmm. Nyx #4 is an odd comic to wrap your brain around. There’s nothing inherently flawed or wrong with it that you could point out. On the contrary, it’s a decent character piece where Nyx learns something about herself and makes a mental/emotional decision to move in a different direction than she planned at the start of the issue.

Character pieces are good. They help the reader learn about the character so that you can emotionally invest in their journey. Gage, to his credit, does a fine job of stacking the building blocks to flesh out Nyx as a character you can empathize with as she struggles with the growing embers of humanity within her.

What’s missing is any sense of momentum in a particular direction. It doesn’t feel like we’re going anywhere. Things are happening, and Nyx is growing/learning, but if there’s a goal for this series, it’s either deeply hidden or not yet revealed. Consequently, this issue reads like a “day in the life” type of drama where the main character learns an important life lesson, but it doesn’t come across like a story is unfolding with a goal in mind.

Could that change? Sure, let’s hope. But as it stands now, the novelty of this series is starting to wear off… rapidly.

Regarding the art, Borstel’s visual presentation is holding up just fine. What needs some adjustment is the color shading from Llorach. Every character appears perfectly lit, no matter where they are, what position they’re standing in, or what they’re doing. Yes, you need to be able to see the characters, but the light sources don’t match the surroundings and it gives the visuals a stage play look that doesn’t integrate with the panel backgrounds.

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]

Nyx takes an extreme step, but first red our NYX #3 review to recall what drover her to it.

We begin with Nyx presenting the Crimson Chronicles to a local sorcerer with a bargain – cast a spell to rid her of her humanity and he can keep the powerful tome. He agrees and the ritual is scheduled.

In the sorcerer’s sanctum, Nyx is shocked to find a human sacrifice waiting but the sorcerer assures Nyx the victim is a bad dude and won’t be missed. When the ritual begins, Nyx quickly learns the tables have been turned and the sorcerer intends to remove and absorb her demon side for himself to become a god.

Before the transference is complete, a monster hunter interrupts the proceedings, killing the sorcerer and freeing Nyx. The hunter is a descendant of Mordecai Pendragon, and she’s come to investigate a string of disappearances linked to human sacrifice. Nyx and the hunter strike up a friendship and they go out drinking to celebrate staying alive. During the girls’ night out, Ms. Pendragon relays her family history, starting with her grandfather’s working relationship with Vampirella up to the present.

We conclude the issue with a Pendragon teaching Nyx something about herself.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.