Queen In Black: Defenders of Light And Dark #3 (Marvel Comics)
Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the 3rd issue of Queen In Black: Defenders of Light And Dark from Marvel Comics!
As if Earth wasn’t going through enough with the events of Armageddon, they’ve also got Hela AND Knull to contend with! So what happens when Plan A might not be enough? Let’s jump into it!
Credit: Marvel Comics // Queen In Black: Defenders of Light and Dark #3 by Al Ewing & Tom Waltz (Writers), Ze Carlos (Artist), Fernando Sifuentes (Color Artist), VC’s Joe Caramanga (Letterer), Matteo Lolli & Rain Beredo (Cover Art)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The Story
Before I get started I would reccomend that you read this issue AFTER you’ve read Queen In Black #4 which is also out this week. On the one hand I would say this issue would spoil that one, on the other I would say it’s far more impactful in that reading order.
The series thus far has been a solid one that was a nice companion piece to the mainline story going on in Queen In Black. However there really hasn’t been any moments that have taken place so far that have left you with a moment of astonishment or shock. This issue has that and more. I really enjoyed the story Tom Waltz & Al Ewing told in this issue because it really raise the stakes for the mainline story by about 10 or 12 notches.
It’s pretty standard stuff regarding the structure of the story, but it’s a proven method that really doesn’t need changing. On one side you’ve got Team Light taking on Hela, and Team Dark taking on Knull. The battle isn’t going well, but don’t worry they’ve got Plan B! What is Plan B you might ask? I’m not telling you, and you should know that by now. It’s a wild plan, and one that should make you sit back and go “oh there’s no way this going to end well.”
The story really ratchets up the tension in a way that really surprised me. Considering how Queen In Black #4 ends, coupled together with the way this issue plays out it makes for a wild ending. I can’t see how this is going to end well at all for anyone involved and it’s sure to leave a lasting impact. Just what that impact will look like remains to be seen.
The Artwork
Ze Carlos & Fernando Sifuentes are in charge of the artwork for this issue and they do a great job keeping the same look fans will be used to by this point. The action sequences in this issue are some of the best of the entire series. There’s also a few key moments in the issue that really stand out as some of the best of the entire series. The art throughout this series has been so visceral and stunning that it remains a highlight of each new issue.
Overall Grade: 8/10
A great issue that sets up for an explosive story in Queen In Black #5! Tom Waltz & Al Ewing crafted an absolutely stellar story that delivers on every front. Together with artwork that is spectacular, this is an issue you can’t pass up on!
