Review: Robyn Hood – The Curse #1 (of 6)
Fresh from his stint over on Zenescope sister book Van Helsing vs The Werewolf, all-star writer Chuck Dixon turn his hand to the emerald archer. No not that one…….Robyn Hood.
Following her escape from a maximum prison, Robyn is back in New York getting back to her normal life. Of course, for her, normal is hunting satanic cults and magic weirdness that pose too great a threat for the NYPD to contend with. Over on the West Coast, her best friend Marian gets involved in some dirty magic with her wife Sam, leaving the latter comatose before an evil presents itself. But there is more than just that mystery to solve as there are other shady goings on throughout the sunny city of San Diego.
Chuck Dixon is a name that should need no introduction. Whilst his name is synonymous with Batman, he also wrote Catwoman and created Birds of Prey. To say he is used to writing for strong capable women would be a bit of an understatement. With Robyn, Dixon has an opportunity to get back to what he knows; cityscapes and their intricacies. However, things get a tad magical in short order. Still one of the strengths of Dixon’s writing is the relationships between the characters. There is a history between Marian and Robyn, with the former getting married to Sam a little while ago. Despite her feelings, Robyn knows that Marian loves Sam and is determined to make her best friend happy, Robyn will do anything to help her. 
Being the first issue, there are questions left unanswered like, what killed Dr Hutchinson, what’s with the rings, what was the promise German Villariagosa made and why his is paramour walking around in her underwear?
I have seen Julius Abrera’s work before, on Grimm Fairy Tales #8. At the time I mentioned that there was some good and some bad, with the bad being around the inconsistent age of Skye. Here, I am glad to say that Abrera has overcome this minor weakness. The art is drawn with heavy lines, that help create the level of tension as well as the seediness (some of it of the human kind) of parts of the story. All the main characters are dawn consistently, without their bodies going through a level of augmentation that can creep into Grimm books. The story flows through the panels, with the jump to Villariagosa being the only jarring part. If I was being critical, I would mention that I am unsure how the arrow on page one actually got in the position. It is minor perception element and shouldn’t detract from the very enjoyable art on show. Colors are provided by Robby Bevarb with a level of darkness that takes its cues from the pencils. As a contrast, the alternative universe that Marian and Sam discover is fabulous. It is easy to see how Sam got so mesmerised.
This book is off to a great start, with Dixon and company producing a book that carries a subtle level of maturity to go along with the usual magical signs and portents.
Writing – 4 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Chuck Dixon
Art by; Julius Abrera
Colors:Â Robby Bevarb
Letters by; Taylor Esposito
Published by; Zenescope Entertainment
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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