With Khal falling into the cult’s hands and Leslie and Shea escaping with Minerva’s help in the last issue, this issue sees the now separated group struggling to get their bearings as they attempt to puzzle out what to do next. Unnatural: Blue Blood #5 is published by Image Comics and written by Mirka Andolfo, with art from Andolfo and Ivan Bigarella, colors by Laura D’addazio, letters by Fabio Amelia, and localized by Steve Orlando.
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This issue opens with a nightmarish sequence as Khal comes to in his captor’s possession and a bit worse for wear. This unsettling sequence, one of the few this issue gives, helps the story open with a pop. Following up on this opening, Unnatural: Blue Blood #5 spends most of its time bouncing between the two main groups as it sets up the next leg of the story. This time is spent well, as Andolfo does a great job fleshing out the newest cast members, particularly the cult leader Angela. This new villain is given a strong sense of menace as we see how she treats Khal throughout this issue.
The only part that lands awkwardly in this issue comes from Leslie and Shea’s side of the story. When we catch up with them, we see them eluding capture with the help of Minerva. While their initial meeting was shown at the end of the last issue, it feels like some key moments in their interactions have been omitted here. With only seven issues left in the story, I can appreciate needing to save time, but it is a little jarring when the book returns to the trio’s escape.
Aside from this minor hiccup, Unnatural: Blue Blood #5 does a great job of developing this side of the narrative. Minerva slots into the running antagonism between Shea and Leslie wonderfully. Andolfo uses the new personality to alter the interpersonal landscape while not wholly reinventing it. Shea still lashes out at anything Leslie says that doesn’t coincide with what she wants, and Leslie still shuts down Shea with all the gentleness the situation allows her. Minerva just adds a new bit of spice to the interactions.
As always, Unnatural: Blue Blood #5‘s art delivers the rich character of Andolfo’s story wonderfully. The art pushes the drama and emotion to the point of slight exaggeration. Enough to truly drive the emphasis of the moments home without ever straying into the comical unintentionally. But while the book’s overall look is wonderfully executed, Bigerella’s depiction of Angela is the star of the show. The lady is allowed to capture the unnerving confidence of the zealot who knows she’s right perfectly, largely thanks to the artist’s excellent line work.
The colors further help the book’s dynamic energy as D’addazio lends just the right amount of energy to the panels through a vibrant color palette. Combine this with Amelia’s excellent letter work that helps the panels deliver on the volume of the story’s events in a way that blends seamlessly with the art, and you have an excellently executed visual design.
When all is said and done, Unnatural: Blue Blood #5 delivers some strong moments and interesting developments while setting up the next leg of the story. Despite a minor hiccup, the story never fails to entertain, and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next for my favorite crew of anthropomorphized animals.
Unnatural: Blue Blood #5 is available now wherever comics are sold.
Unnatural: Blue Blood #5
TL;DR
Unnatural: Blue Blood #5 delivers some strong moments and interesting developments while setting up the next leg of the story. Despite a minor hiccup, the story never fails to entertain, and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next for my favorite crew of anthropomorphized animals.
