PHOENIX FILES #3, from Zenescope Entertainment on 5/10/23, concludes Phoenix’s quest to stop Keziah the witch before she brings Cthulu closer to awakening.
The Details
- Written by: Chas! Pangburn
- Art by: Julius Abrera
- Colors by: Fran Gamboa, J.C. Ruiz
- Letters by: Chas! Pangburn
- Cover art by: Al Barrionuevo
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $5.99
- Release date: May 10, 2023
Is It Good?
Well, okay. PHOENIX FILES #3 concludes Zenescope’s three-part mini starring one of the publisher’s lesser-known characters. Readers are treated to tons of magical battles and a relatively complete conclusion to the arc, but one creative choice is a headscratcher.
When last we left Phoenix and Avril, Phoenix was entranced by Keziah’s magic into becoming the witch’s unwilling slave. Now, Avril is left alone against Tempest and Phoenix while Keiah completes the spell that opens a portal into the Nameless corridor. Now, Avril fights Phoenix, hoping he’ll snap out of it while blocking Keziah’s attempts to open a portal.
Chas! Pangburn’s script successfully captures the natural push-pull tension created by friends who’ve suddenly become unwilling enemies. The more Avril and Phoenix fight, the more the tension escalates because Avril may be forced to kill Phoenix to stop Keziah. In effect, Pangburn creates a ticking clock of tension that works effectively.
Here’s the headscratcher part.
[SPOILERS AHEAD]
Throughout the entire arc and most of this issue, Phoenix’s goal is to stop Keziah’s plan to open a portal into the Nameless Corridor, which would bring her closer to awakening Cthulu. The battle concludes with Avril intentionally forcing Tempest and Keziah through the portal and closing it behind them. In effect, the conflict ends with the heroes giving the villains exactly what they wanted. What were the point of the battle and Avril’s declaration of success if all the heroes have done is make everything infinitely worse?
[END SPOILERS]
It’s definitely a headscratcher and one that appears to almost invalidate the purpose of the arc beyond establishing Phoenix’s origin.
How’s the art? It’s serviceable. Abrera delivers a comic that looks in line with Zenescope’s house style, but a few of the panels look rushed. The net effect is a comic that meets basic standards but isn’t going to wow anybody.
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]
Check out our PHOENIX FILES #2 review to find out how Phoenix got mind-whammy’d.
We begin with a flashback to a previous mission wherein Phoenix and his partner were cornered in a shootout. Phoenix takes a bullet to the shoulder, taking him out of the fight, but before all hope is lost, he unleashes his flame power uncontrolled, with devastating results.
Now, Phoenix is forced to use his flames against Avril while he’s under Keziah’s control. Avril tries to get through to Phoenix while fending him off as she fights with Tempest and Keziah. Eventually, Phoenix can resist Keziah’s control and evens the odds.
We conclude the issue with crossing the streams, a door opened, and a door shut.
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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PHOENIX FILES #3 ends the mini-series with a big battle, strong tension, and a reasonably complete conclusion. That said, the art is average at best, and the resolution is a head-scratching move that effectively gives the villains what they want.
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