WOTN Review: The Marked #4 (Image Comics)

The Marked #4 Knows The Cost of This War Game

The Marked shows us a world in which magic does truly exist. One must know how to create or transfer glyphs onto the skin to gain control of them. But as The Marked #4 is quick to prove, that does not mean power will never fall into the wrong hands.

There are always going to be those who seek power. And as such, there will always be those that abuse that very power. This is something we’ve seen time and time again. Even when playing with those classic elements, The Marked has brought us a unique story worth reading.

This series has been chilling, with ever-increasing stakes and danger. In this world, the concept of secret and shadow societies suddenly makes much more sense. This is really not something you’d want the general public reaching for.

Writing

David Hine and Brian Haberlin have done it again. They’ve brought us back to this dark yet fascinating world and made it all the more fascinating in the process. Yes, this is a tale of magic. But it is also a story of betrayal, loyalty, determination, and politics.

Combining all of these different elements into one story has created something memorable. While founded in elements we very much sympathize and resonate with, this story has become something entirely different along the way. That’s some careful and brilliant writing.

The Marked #4 pulls in elements we’re familiar with – a power-hungry leader (of sorts), the opposition, and those who find alternate ways to fight. So, in a way, this series still feels so familiar. Even while exploring unique concepts within this world. I love this balance and cannot wait to see more of what will come.

There’s no doubt that this series will get much darker before it’s done. They’ve officially spent five issues showing us just how corrupt and horrible the humans are on one side of the line. With any luck, we’ll soon get a chance to see more of their opposition in the following issues.

Art

The cover for The Marked #4 may very well be my favorite of the series. It’s beautiful, evocative, and intriguing. That sensation is doubled for the readers, who know more than a fair share about the character portrayed.

Brian Haberlin is one of the writers for this series, as well as the lead artist. He provided the intricate lines for the glyphs (tattoos), all of which lent strongly to the aesthetic of this series. He’s also the one who made the characters come to life – their rage and their pain clear for all to see.

Geirrod van Dyke is the colorist for this issue, and they did a truly amazing job here. The lines set the foundation, but he ran with that concept. Even the darker scenes feel so vibrant and alive – they are dark but very much not muted. The colors of the magic in this series are outstanding, and that alone makes this series worth checking out.

Finally, Francis Takenaga stepped up to provide the lettering for this issue. Lettering may seem simple, but issues like this show why it’s so important. The framework is vital, especially when balanced against so many contrasting events. Takenaga found that perfect balance, providing a legible story through the magic.

Conclusion

The Marked #4 was a breathtaking read. The artwork alone is enough to make it memorable, but the heavy-hitting story is ground-shaking. There’s still quite a bit left to this tale, and yet I’m finding myself more and more eager to see how it all plays out.

This review was originally written for Word of the Nerd, but has been ported over to Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks now that the site has shut down.

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