ROBYN HOOD: DARK SHAMAN, from Zenescope Entertainment on 10/18/23, sends Robyn on a mission to help Ghosthawk discover the source of his power.
The Details
- Written by: Joe Brusha
- Art by: Alessio Mariani
- Colors by: Juan Manuel Rodriguez
- Letters by: Taylor Esposito
- Cover art by: Igor Vitorino (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $5.99
- Release date: October 18, 2023
Is ROBYN HOOD: DARK SHAMAN Good?
Joe Brusha’s latest chapter in the Royn Hood mythology is a rade-A, solid action/adventure comic… that has almost nothing to do with Robyn Hood. Using an established character as a backdoor opportunity to get readers invested in a new character is nothing new and not a problem as long as it’s done well. y and large, ROBYN HOOD: DARK SHAMAN does it well.
Brusha’s script centers on Robyn Hood and Ghosthawk taking a road trip to the American Badlands. Ghosthawk suffers from recurring visions beckoning him to face a ret threat connected to his origins. Robyn, the good ally that she is, agrees to accompany him, and the two encounter a prophecy, a history lesson, and a great challenge to right an ancient wrong.
If it wasn’t fully clear, this issue is almost entirely about Ghosthawk, the origin of his power and people, and the challenge he needs to face to stop a great evil. But for a few scenes in the beginning and the end, Robyn is used as a plot device to get Ghosthawk from point A to B and to provide motivation in the heat of the battle. The cover says this is a Robyn Hood comic, but it’s more accurate to call it a Ghosthawk comic, guest starring Robyn Hood.
What’s great about ROBYN HOOD: DARK SHAMAN? If you don’t mind that Robyn is a bit player in her own title, Brusha does a bang-up job fleshing out Ghosthawk as a powerful hero in the Grimm Universe. The history behind Ghosthawk’s lineage is interesting without turning into a history lesson, and there’s plenty of exciting battle action to keep the energy high.
What’s not so great about ROBYN HOOD: DARK SHAMAN? Depending on your point of view, it would have suited the title better to have Robyn take a more active role in Ghosthawk’s journey. As it is, she’s almost relegated to a plot device.
How’s the art? Excellent. Alessio Mariani’s figure work, character designs, and action choreography are top-notch. If the goal was to make Ghosthawk look like a certified badass, Mariani’s art succeeded.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s ROBYN HOOD: DARK SHAMAN About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with Robyn Hood and Ghosthawkl driving to an uncertain destination based on Ghosthawk’s recurring visions. They reach a mountain peak where an old shaman is waiting for them. The shaman tells Ghosthawk he must do battle with a demon under the control of the Dark Shaman, who gains immortality by living off the soul energy of the demon’s victims.
Further, Ghosthawk’s power comes from the collective energy of his tribe and people through generations. It’s Ghosthawk’s destiny to defeat the Dark Shaman, but he must rely on the collective strength of his tribe to survive.
We conclude the issue with a journey to the Spirit World, a hostage, and the full embrace of power.
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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ROBYN HOOD: DARK SHAMAN is a rock-solid origin story for Ghosthawk, giving readers everything they need to know about the source of the character’s power and potential. That said, the issue is almost entirely devoted to Ghosthawk, relegating Robyn Hood to a side character.
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