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MERIDIAN #21
Mildly Recommended (6/10)
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CrossGen Comics
Writer: Barbara Kesel
Pencils: Steve McNiven
Inks: Tom Simmons
Colors: Morry Hollowell
Letters: Troy Peteri & Dave Lanphear
Price: $2.95 US/$4.75 CAN |
While McNiven continues to impress with energetic yet graceful visuals and Kesel's characterizations remain well rounded, this issue strays from the political themes of the title and focuses on action. Kesel is obviously escalating the story, and this issue serves as a transition to something more. While Kesel continues to delve into Sephie's education at the School of Hard Knocks, I look forward to the return of the other intellect-driven aspects of the book.
Sephie and those she leads in the rebellion against Cadadorian Minister Ilahn are set up by a flying ship outfitted with armor and a devastating weapon -- a cannon -- and even Sephie's powers are useless against them. She discovers the ship is piloted by Rho Rustane, a being of power like herself. Sephie finds herself torn between her desire to heal and help her friends and the need to put an end to the threat posed by Rho and the cannon.
McNiven captures warfare and power of this plot quite well, and as always, he's aided in his efforts by Simmons's clean inks and Hollowell's brilliant colors. Another key visual strength of the book is how he conveys Sephie's grace and innocence. Her confidence in these more extreme situations is only beginning to show itself, and it's nice to see her inner conflict crystallized in the confusion on her face. I was a bit disappointed by the emphasis of Deren Beq's breasts so often, though. The character is not a sensual one, and this sexual portrayal just doesn't suit her.
The action in this issue -- and the interaction between Sephie and Rho -- strikes as far too reminiscent of the super-hero genre. CrossGen, to its credit, has managed to steer most of its titles clear of the super-hero territory, given greater play to other genres in comics. Meridian is one of those titles, but here, the emphasis on the sigil power and how the sigils connect characters with no common background works against the strengths of the book.
If any one plotline or conflict defines this title, it's Sephie's instinct to help and trust others butting heads with the need for her to grow up and toughen up. Just as it was in the previous issue, that inner turmoil is easy to see here. That conflict is symbolized in Jad and Deren. Sephie wants to heal (and to love) the former, while Deren is forever reminding her of a greater responsibility. That coming-of-age aspect remains an interesting element of Meridian.
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