The Times Are Changing in The Marked #10
In just nine relatively short issues, everything in the world of The Marked has changed. The Marked #10 is about to bring more changes than ever as one group fights to keep everything safe and under control.
This is a world where magic exists – but it is kept secret. Imagine what would happen if the world got their hands on it. To be fair, keeping it a secret is easier said than done. Especially when dangers and monsters keep cropping up in highly populated areas.
That is merely the starting point for this issue, as The Marked seeks out whoever is using magic for these confusing (and possibly dark) purposes. Throw in the other complications they’ve been facing, and it’s more than enough to keep them busy.
Writing
The Marked #10 is another thrilling and intense addition to this series. Written by Brian Haberlin, this is a series that is unafraid of risk. It’s even less afraid of change, which should be fairly evident by this time.
This world of magic still feels wondrous, even if it is clearly more dangerous than most people could imagine. For every issue, we learn something new while leaving so much that is yet to be explored.
That applies to the magic and characters as well. Not to mention all the creatures – a hint of which we saw in the previous issue. All of it is enough to leave readers (myself included) eager to see more.
That being said, this is an issue with ups and downs. Some changes feel like a net win for this group, while others… carry weight. It’s a weight that can’t be run from; only time will tell what other changes it has set in motion.
*I don’t normally include warnings for comic reviews, but now seems like a good time to mention (spoiler warning) that this might be a tough issue for cat lovers. There’s a subplot that heavily implies some…dark things. That being said! It isn’t as bad as it looks, at least not by the end. Promise.
Art
Unsurprisingly, the artwork inside The Marked #10 is as bold and brilliant as the plot. Brian Haberlin is the lead artist (as well as the writer) and worked alongside Geirrod Van Dyke (colors) and Francis Takenaga (letters) to create a feast for the eyes.
To say a lot is going on in this issue would be an understatement. There are dozens of scene shifts, and we see even more characters with them. Some of whom will look drastically different by the time this issue concludes.
Combine that with the detailed artwork surrounding the tattoo designs; suddenly, this looks like a labor of love. The amount of effort that must have gone into making this world feel alive is impressive, to say the least.
The bright colors help to really make the magic feel, well, magical. There’s something so otherworldly about it. Sometimes, it gives off an ethereal vibe, while other times, it feels decidedly sinister. And it’s the colors that help to convey those tones.
Conclusion
The Marked #10 is a tense read, from start to finish. Some of the changes brought about are positive, while others are concerning. They all have left me eager to see what will happen in the next issue.
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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