ROBYN HOOD: VIGILANTE GN, available from Zenescope Entertainment on April 7th, 2021, collects the full Vigilante story arc that finds Robyn in hiding and on the run from the police, the Underground, and a powerful villain.
The Details
- Written By: Ben Meares
- Art By: Babisu Kourtes
- Colors By: Juan Manuel Rodriguez
- Letters By: Taylor Esposito
- Cover Art By: Martin Coccolo
- Cover Price: $19.99
- Release Date: April 7, 2021
Was It Good?
Yes. This is straight-up action adventure with a bit of magic mixed in for good measure.
This Graphic Novel (GN) is the full Vigilante story arc, and it gives new reader’s a healthy taste of the kind of hero Robyn Hood is all about. What’s notable is the lead hero gets called out for not being perfect and acting out of selfish motives at times, and that realization makes her character more grounded. Her heroics become more admirable for acknowledging her faults, and while not fully overcoming them, at least working towards being a better hero.
The art is excellent. It’s standard superhero fare with plenty of action and explosion to keep even the most casual superhero comic reader happy.
To get a peek at the art, check out our ROBYN HOOD: VIGILANTE preview here.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD]
Robyn Hood keeps a low profile in NYC as she looks to discover who framed her for the attempted assassination of Gengrich, the police chief. Gengrich knows Robyn is innocent, and when Robyn pays her a late-night visit, the two talk over what to do next. While recovering, Gengrich researched her attacker and discovered he’s a Russian contract killer nicknamed the Peacock for his outlandish style of clothes.
Robyn sets out to find the Peacock and tracks him to a meeting of Underground criminals planning a big heist, including old “friends” that wouldn’t be happy to see Robyn — Gynt, Matter, and Goldrush. Robyn crashes the party (literally) to capture Peacock for answers, but the scene turns into a brawl that winds up costing Gynt an eye.
Peacock flees and Robyn escapes to follow. When Robyn catches up to him in his hideout and begins to interrogate him, Peacock’s hideout is suddenly overrun by police and enforcement robots. Peacock is captured and Robyn gets away, but not before taking a serious beating. She manages to drag herself into an open manhole to escape.
Robyn wakes up in an unfamiliar house, but she soon discovers her savior is Emmett the Golem from the previous arc. Emmett stitched up Robyn’s wounds and gave her a place to rest, but he’s sworn off transforming into a Golem as he believes it always gets somebody killed.
What’s interesting about Emmett’s portrayal is the strength of conviction he shows throughout the majority of the arc. Regardless if you agree or disagree with why he makes his decision, readers can respect that he sticks to it, even in the face of extreme pressure.
The Peacock wakes up in a laboratory after his capture. The main villain of the story (no spoilers on this one) give him a choice — go to jail for a very long time or swear allegiance to the villain’s cause. Peacock chooses allegiance and he’s left for the scientists to do their work on him.
Soon, the police surveillance drones track down Robyn to Emmett’s home. When they break in, the robots try to kill instead of capture Robyn. The police, admitting what the robots are doing is wrong, try to stop the execution. The robots then turn on the police and take them into custody, creating enough distraction for Robyn and Emmett to escape.
Before they get too far, Peacock exits the police vehicle as a hideous cyborg/peacock/monster, enhanced with speed, strength, and giant quills that act as giant throwing knives and swords. Admittedly, it sounds ridiculous when describing it, but Peacock’s look is a lot more intimidating than it sounds. Despite Peacock’s efforts to capture them, Emmett and Robyn get away.
With no place to go above ground, they head towards the Underground for help. Gynt is none too pleased to see them, but Robyn plays on his sympathies for Emmett as a former Underground family member. Before Gynt decides what to do with them, the robots and Peacock arrive and try to wipe them all out.
Gynt and the Underground residents have no choice but to join forces with Robyn and Emmett against the robot death squad. Even the police that were previously arrested by the robots managed to escape and join forces with Robyn and Emmett.
During the “let’s join forces” scene, Emmett calls out both Gynt and Robyn for focusing too much on their own selfish goals (Gynt committing more crimes than necessary for survival. Robyn for collateral damage caused by her need to clear her name). It’s an unexpectedly thoughtful moment that challenges every good guy’s moral compass for having strayed off true North from what’s important.
The new alliance defeats the robots and cyborg Peacock, but Peacock manages to get away. Robyn and the group decide they have to wipe out the robots at the source and they head to the manufacturing plant where they begin a full assault to wipe out the army of robots in production.
Eventually, the alliance destroys the factory but the tentative truce ceases when the group members part ways.
How Does It End?
The main villain knows how to use the media to her advantage. Peacock loses his head but isn’t out yet. One down, six to go.
Final Thoughts
ROBYN HOOD: VIGILANTE GN, available from Zenescope Entertainment on April 7th, 2021, has great art, great action, exciting plot twists, and some surprisingly insightful, character-building moments.
Score: 8.5/10
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