ROBYN HOOD: BLOOD IN THE WATER, by Zenescope Entertainment on 1/3/24, pulls Jeb and Robyn into a lake monster mystery after a giant beast attacks yachts on Lake Michigan.
The Details
- Written by: Joe Brusha
- Art by: Alessio Mariani
- Colors by: Juan Manuel Rodriguez
- Letters by: Taylor Esposito
- Cover art by: Geebo Vigonte (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover price: $5.99
- Release date: January 3, 2024
Is ROBYN HOOD: BLOOD IN THE WATER Good?
ROBYN HOOD: BLOOD IN THE WATER almost got away with being a fantastic comic if it weren’t for those pesky kids. After reading Joe Brusha’s wild water adventure, all we can say is “Zoinks!” and “Jinkies!”
Brusha’s oddly familiar tale brings Robyn and Jeb to Lake Michigan for a little R&R after their recent trip to the Badlands. Robyn joins her cousin and her cousin’s friends for her vacation, but the restful excursion takes a back seat when a giant aquatic beast keeps sinking boats in the nearby bay. It’s up to Robyn and Jeb to solve the weirdly waterlogged mystery… after a snack.
“Huh? What’s with all the Scooby Doo references?” you might wonder. Well, Brusha decided to have a little fun with the audience by embroiling Robyn and Jeb in a too-close-to-ignore Scooby Doo mystery, complete with a surprise villain, characters named Fred and Velma, and more than a little hijinks. Throw in homages to Jaws and Crocodile Dundee, and you get a semi-serious adventure of Gen X proportions.
What’s great about ROBYN HOOD: BLOOD IN THE WATER? Almost everything about this comic works if you don’t mind your favorite superhero getting caught up in a tongue-in-cheek homage to the Scooby Doo gang. To be clear, this isn’t a kids’ story because you get plenty of action/adventure and a wee bit of death, but placing the Scooby Gang in a Robyn Hood adventure is amusing in a surreal way.
What’s not so great about ROBYN HOOD: BLOOD IN THE WATER? The only character that didn’t work was Jeb as a stand-in for Shaggy. His dialog and action seemed silly when Norville was already present in the plot.
How’s the art? Alessio Mariani was given the unenviable task of crafting a comic with art on par with typical Zenescope fare while adding a touch of cartoonish whimsy to make the Scooby references apparent. To Mariani’s credit, he blends the two styles in a pleasing package.
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What’s ROBYN HOOD: BLOOD IN THE WATER About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a group of 20-somethings enjoying a day of sun and surfing on a private yacht on Lake Michigan. Suddenly, the reverie is interrupted when a giant beast rams the yacht and sinks it.
The next day, Robyn and Jeb arrive near the spot of the attack to meet Robyn’s cousin, Theresa, for a brief vacation. The lake monster attack is the talk of the town, and Robyn is keen to learn more after relaxation and fun. Robyn doesn’t have to wait long when her water skiing is interrupted by a massive shape emerging from the depths.
We conclude the issue with hijinks, spookiness, and shenanigans.
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Final Thoughts
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ROBYN HOOD: BLOOD IN THE WATER takes a break from the grim and gritty adventures of Zenescope’s resident archer for a lake monster mystery starring a strangely familiar set of supporting characters. Brusha’s script will tickle your nostalgia bone with homages to Jaws, Scooby Doo, Crocodile Dundee and more, while Mariani’s art successfully merges the Zenescope house style with a some cartoonish visitors.
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