POTIONS INC. #3, from Mad Cave Studios on August 17th, 2022, takes a break from the action to uncover the history behind the Fordstone, Wizard Goras’s tragic experiment, and the strange connection between Earth and Primaterra.
The Details
- Written by: Erik Burnham
- Art by: Stelladia
- Colors by: Ian Tags
- Letters by: Micah Myers
- Cover art by: Natasha Alterici
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: August 17, 2022
Is It Good?
File POTIONS INC. #3 under “the one that explains everything.” This issue takes all the questions surrounding Primaterra’s past, the origin of the Fordstone, the experiment that separated Wizard Goras from his body, and the Primaterra/Earth connection, and presents it all in a neat little package.
There’s nothing wrong with an issue focused on exposition as long as the exposition is executed well. Thankfully, this comic is as well-executed as you could hope. Burnham brings the characters together after Ran’s “episode” in the last issue, gives the Earth characters a plausible reason to ally themselves with the Primaterra characters, and even takes the extra step of providing a plausible reason as to why Agent Garcia isn’t freaking out. This is a well-executed comic because Burnham thought the characters’ activations and motivations through to make the reader believe what’s happening.
In fairness, this issue isn’t simply about people standing around and talking. There’s a palpable layer of emotion as Agent Garcia learns her father’s stories have always been true, and you can relate to her changing worldview and her newfound attitude towards her father. In short, there’s a whole lot of bonding and appreciating going on that feels genuine.
The art is serviceable to decent in this issue. Some scenes look pretty darn good with clean lines and solid coloring. Other scenes, look roughly sketched out with an egregious lack of detail. The pencils/inks aren’t sloppy so much as they look barely finished enough for a crude representation of a scene. It’s unclear if Stelladia was rushed for time or otherwise distracted, but the net result is woefully inconsistent.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Find out how the gang almost-but-not-quite adapted to life on Earth in our POTIONS INC. #2 review.
We begin with Astreus and Asteria confronted by Agent Garcia after Ran knocked out their attackers (and himself) with a sudden burst of magic. When Asteria mentions they’re from Primaterra, Agent Garcia suddenly remembers all the stories her father told her as a child. She decided it would be better to take the strangers to see her father rather than arrest them.
Later, Agent Garcia arrives at her father’s home when he recognizes Astreus as the son of an old friend. We soon learn Agent Garcia’s father is also from Primaterra, and he’s been hiding on Earth to protect the missing piece of the Fordstone.
We conclude the issue with a demonstration, a rest, and a switch.
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Final Thoughts
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POTIONS INC. #3 is a solid character piece that delivers gobs of exposition and backstory, but does it in a way that builds bonding and character development. The emotional beats are heartfelt, and the backstory is interesting. However, the art varies between okay and unfinished in stops, pulling down the enjoyment factor.
Related Information
How do you make a real potion?
A potion is a liquid made with an infinite combination of possible ingredients to achieve the desired effect. The method for making a potion depends on the desired result, how long the result should last, and how strongly the potion affects the person it’s used on. In other words, there is no one way to make a potion. Just make sure to follow the recipe precisely.
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