ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Blackbird,’ Issue #6

Blackbird #6 is published by Image Comics, written by Sam Humphries, with art by Jen Bartel, layout art by Paul Reinwand, colors by Triona Farrell, and letters by Jodi Wynne.

This month’s story wraps up the initial arc as Nina goes to confront her mother about, herself, her history, and why the choices that have brought her here were made. This confrontation is a complex, emotional issue that is everything I would expect from this magnificent book. As the world of the paragons continues to unfold, I feel myself wondering if my opinions on the things said and motives laid out here will change as the book moves forward. Most importantly though, I can’t wait to find out.

Sam Humphries’s writing continues to keep the story moving along at a perfect pace, never letting the story stall, nor rushing along and losing the characters. The time taken before the showdown to give Nina and Clint some character growth is a well done aside of social commentary. It was an excellent little moment before it all goes down. The climactic confrontation is finely crafted and the characterization feels real as emotions are put on full display and the characters feel caught up in the moment as much as the reader is, both sharing a ride they have no control over.

Jen Bartel’s art with Blackbird #6 continues to leave its signature on every panel of the book, as characters are portrayed in a consistent fashion and all their emotions are pushed to the forefront in regards to their body language and excellent choice of perspectives. The feeling and look of magic further expands on this signature’s creation of a sense of awe, as it often is displayed in a manner that both feels powerful, but a bit more nuanced than just being the fireball and lightning bolts we often associate with magical abilities.

This is brought further to life by the amazing color pallets used by Triona Farrell. The choices of color are so vibrant and alluring that I am awestruck in their use. The color captures the hot and cold, not only of human emotions, but of magical effects with such precision that I find myself more enraptured by this world than I could’ve expected when I first picked up issue one. It is just one more reason  I am greatly anticipating my continuing trip into the worlds of paragon’s magic, the fantastic deadly creatures, and powers residing there.

The strong finish shows off teasers for upcoming stories and interesting new developments that reassure readers that this creative team has the future of this amazing book well in hand. For even as the dust settles from this first fantastic arc, it seems clear that there won’t be any slowing down for Nina as she plunges headlong into a world she seems destined for but can barely understand and is certainly unprepared for.

Blackbird #6 is available in comic stores everywhere March 13, 2019.