Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Writer: Genevieve Valentine
Artist: Ariel Medel
Colourist: Nanjan Jamberi
Release Date: OUT NOW!
Price: $3.99

 

There are certain TV shows that live on in our memories not because they define the epitome of acting, storytelling or production values but because, by any sane and logical assessment, they are so low budget, they just have to be good! Dodgy sets, hand-made costumes, wooden and/or hysterical acting and overacting, plots as flimsy as tissue paper, the list of their faults is as endless as their charm and boundless fascination. Their number is legion, including but not restricted to Hercules, Blakes 7, Space 1999 and Monkey. Feel free to add or subtract your own favourite from that list.

But one show that stands head and shoulders above all of them, Xena, Warrior Princess. Girl power to the max it made a star out of Lucy Lawless and now it has transitioned into its own comic book. The thing is, comic books are able to portray the most extreme location, situation and appearances in flawless detail. And right there you’ve lost a great deal of what made Xena popular in the first place. Do we really care too much that Xena and Gabrielle have awoken from a 25 year enchanted sleep to battle Olympus to save the soul of Xena’s daughter? I guess so, but it can’t beat seeing the live action Xena clash swords with half a dozen chunky extras.

Xena, Warrior Princess #3 takes place mainly in a casino where Xena and her chums are trying to kidnap a Roman general. There is a token male and lots of fighting females and Ares put in an appearance but the sets don’t wobble, the costumes are immaculate and the action believable and exciting.

It may be Xena, Jim, but not as I remember it. In fact, Xena Warrior Princess #3, is better!

 

 

Reviewer: Gary Orchard
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker