“Queen in Black: Defenders of Light & Dark #3” – It All Comes to Light

The Run Down

In case you missed the previous issue, our heroes gained a pretty massive upper hand! In a move that hasn’t been done in years, Cloak & Dagger got shown some love and got upgrades! However, what does that mean for the turn out of the battle? Will they be able to turn the tides completely? Well, I guess you’re gonna have to read “Queen in Black: Defenders of Light & Dark #3” by Al Ewing and Tom Waltz!

Writers: Al Ewing, Tom Waltz
Artist: Zé Carlos
Colorist: Fer Sifuentes-Sujo
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna

The Writing

Shawn: Another all-gas-and-no-brakes issue from Al Ewing and Tom Waltz with this one. I am a sucker for a story featuring Beta Ray Bill, and I loved seeing Bill get a chance to shine throughout this series. As this series has continued, the stakes have risen each issue. This issue jumps right into the action as we finally learn what Plan B is. Ewing and Waltz work well as a pair writing this series. With all the powers of the characters within the Marvel universe it can be difficult to make these big fights feel difficult.

However, Ewing and Waltz manage to capture that perfectly. You both enter and leave this issue understanding why Knull and Hela are such formidable foes. The way the writers have managed to give most of the characters in this series their own little moments to shine has been so refreshing and enjoyable.

Eda: If you’re at all following the “Queen in Black”, then you know it keeps ramping up issue by issue. That insane momentum doesn’t stop here as we reach the final few issues of the event over the next two weeks. Ewing and Waltz truly came together in a dance here, making it hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. Not once was I able to predict what was coming next, leaving me in shock and awe the whole time.

Not only that, but the stakes continue to feel high. Even in the moments of hope, Ewing and Waltz remind you of just who Hela and Knull are and why they’re so feared. After the things that happened in this issue and where things ended, I’m beyond excited to see where we end up in the coming weeks!

The Art

Shawn: Zé Carlos and Fer Sifuentes-Sujo absolutely crush this issue. As visually stunning as this series has been so far, this one may be the best yet. Whether it’s the battle between Tyre and Bill or Knull and Hela, Carlos’s line work is simply superb. Every line makes you feel the weight, with Carlos ensuring you know exactly when the line is supposed to be thick and bring emphasis versus tight and crisp.

Fer Sifuentes-Sujo captures not only the colors beautifully but also manages to perfectly encapsulate the contrasts of the light and dark tones. The colors play so well off each other. Sifuentes-Sujo doesn’t rely on the contrast of light and dark but instead uses each to enhance the other. The battles are particularly beautifully colored. Joe Caramagna does a great job of helping you move through what is an action-packed comic with ease. You always find the story easy to follow despite the variety of voices present in this issue.

Eda: When it comes to Zé Carlos and Fer Sifuentes-Sujo, they both absolutely nailed it when it comes to the penciling and colors! I don’t know how to fully describe it, but the way Carlos draws these different realms and space is absolutely gorgeous. He truly makes you feel the vast emptiness of space while capturing these epic and bombastic hero moments. Not only that, but the angles he chooses in several panels is damn near perfect, capturing the heightened emotions and intensity of all involved.

As for the colors, Sifuentes truly makes this comic come alive. His deep darks pair beautifully with the brighter colors of each panel, making each scene pop off the page. I particularly love how he colors Hela, as it’s done in a way that makes her seem both regal and terrifying or threatening. The art across the board is truly great stuff.

Final Thoughts

Shawn: This is my favorite issue of the Queen in Black event so far. Everything about this issue, from the story to the art, feels perfect. Queen In Black: Defenders of Light and Dark #5 feels like a runaway train in the best way. It’s exhilarating and thrilling leaving you waiting to see what comes next.

Eda: “Queen in Black: Defenders of Light & Dark #5” is yet another great entry in this overall fantastic event devised by Al Ewing. He and Tom Waltz refuse to let up off the gas as they take readers on a journey. With fantastic art and lettering to boot, won’t regret adding this to your haul.

Shawn’s Grade: 10/10
Eda’s Grade: 9/10
Overall Grade: 9.5/10

Comments

What are your thoughts on the “Queen in Black” event so far? What’s been your favorite entry? Let’s discuss in the comments below!