Review: Odyssey of the Amazons #4
By Philip Schweier
August 8, 2017 - 14:09
DC Comics
Writer(s): Kevin Grevioux
Penciller(s): Ryan Benjamin
Inker(s): Don Ho, Ryan Benjamin
Colourist(s): Tony Washington, Ryan Benjamin
Letterer(s): Saida Temofonte
Cover Artist(s): Ryan Benjamin, Matt Banning, Alex Sinclair
Remember
the fan boy fantasy of seeing DC and Marvel crossover their respective
universes? This is the Ancient World equivalent, in which the Amazons (very
much pre-Wonder Woman) have apparently died and gone to Valhalla, where they
encounter Odin and Thor (NOT the Marvel versions). It is also explained that
they hold a kinship to all women warriors, such as Norse Valkyrie.
Starting with issue #4 and without much backstory to draw from, there is a teenager in me that is charmed by the story. I used to read a lot of sword & sorcery tales in my youth, and this is very much in that same vein. Blades, mystic energies, and power-hungry sorceress eager to see her enemies dead or enslaved.
It’s an ambitious story to tell, as (I presume) the Amazons move through various forms of world mythology and their respective gods and monsters. Blending them can be a challenge, but Kevin Grevioux has the luxury of being able to use what fits, and apply common threads to create a cohesive story.
The artwork is perfect, evoking my teen memories of several comic fantasy artists. He seems to have taken the designs of John Buscema, the textures of Joe Kubert, and the figure drawing of Gil Kane, and blended them into a unique style that seems both new and familiar at the same time.
Rating: 9/9
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