WE ARE SCARLET TWILIGHT #3, from Red 5 Comics on 7/19/23, finds Captain Lancet and the Maxie Militia fighting out of Madame Satanika’s trap, but not before the Captain’s true name is revealed.
The Details
- Written by: Benjamin W. Morse
- Art by: Benjamin W. Morse
- Colors by: Benjamin W. Morse
- Letters by: Benjamin W. Morse
- Cover art by: Benjamin W. Morse
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: July 19, 2023
Is It Good?
WE ARE SCARLET TWILIGHT #3 continues to impress with an imaginative cyber pulp adventure that mixes fictional history with real history and wraps it up in a veneer of classic literature for the most unique superhero adventure around. Benjamin W. Morse earns top marks, if for nothing else, for pure imagination.
When last we left Captain Lancet and the Maxie Militia, they raided Madame Satanika’s stronghold to shut the vampire queen down for good and end her oppressive reign over the planet. The attack failed, putting the heroes back on their heels. Now, the heroes fight their way to a retreat as Madame Satanika learns the Captain’s true birth name, leading to a frantic escape, a moment of self-reflection, and a resolution to fight the good fight.
Wheesh! That’s a lot, but the big twist is the Captain’s true name (no spoilers on that one, but it’s not hard to guess). Morse amps up the pulp era nostalgia with sword fights, zeppelin ships, patriotic speeches, and the Golden Age tradition of carrying on the fight, no matter the odds. Morse nails the classic nostalgia of a pulp-era hero perfectly.
What’s not so great about this issue? To be fair, the story drags past the middle of the issue. After their initial escape, the Captain and Maxie discuss the meaning behind the Captain’s true name, how he eventually came to America, and why he still fights. The Captain gives a speech that lays out the entirety of his experience and motivations during that chat, and while it’s a good speech filled with plenty of patriotism, grit, and good feelings, the speech takes up nearly five pages. It’s a good speech, but it’s a long speech, and the pacing of the story drags to a crawl.
How’s the art? Bronze Age-styled perfection from Morse. The lines and figure work are super clean, detailed, and sculpted to perfection. Likewise, Morse’s coloring work is outstanding. It’s amazing that a single creator can write as well as he draws, but Morse does it.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our WE ARE SCARLET TWILIGHT #2 review to find out how Captain Lancet woke up in the future with Maxie by his side.
We begin mid-battle with Captain Lancet and the Maxie Militia fighting their way through Madame Satanika’s guards. Now that Satanika realizes who the Captain really is, she offers to make him her King if he gives up his fight. The Captain refuses and goes into berserker mode to buy the Militia time to get to the zeppelin and escape.
The escape succeeds, but the zeppelin is damaged in the fight. The ship slowly sinks as it drifts down along the shores of the nearby river, eventually touching down near old ruins the Captain remembers from his days fighting during the Revolutionary War.
While the Militia tens to the wounded and makes repairs, the Captain and Maxie discuss the Captain’s complicated history. We conclude the issue with the lessons of history, the Captain’s love for America, and a new plan.
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Final Thoughts
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WE ARE SCARLET TWILIGHT #3 starts with a desperate retreat and ends with a renewed sense of respect, patriotism, and resolve to fight the good fight. Morse’s pitch-perfect writing is matched only by his astoundingly good art for a story that hits all the right notes for pulp nostalgia and classic adventure.
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