ATANA AND THE JADE MERMAID

The opener’s understated, cleanly drawn art and straightforward storytelling continue in this sequel, which takes the adventurers to the remote Wandering Isles, the source of firebird magic. There, Atana’s firebird friend, Ren, can heal and call on the rest of the long-vanished firebirds to help mend the problems disrupting Earth’s magic flow. Meanwhile, Atana’s kidnapping by agents of the Merfolk Empire precipitates a rescue expedition that reveals both surprising new allies and a prophecy that Atana will somehow play a vital role in breaking the chains laid on the merfolk’s freely floating magic by their harsh, controlling empress. The tale, lightly endowed with heroic exploits and threaded through with themes of reconciliation, comes to a tidy wrap that will leave readers well satisfied. Still, it’s the visuals that will likely linger with them longest. Zhou proves equally adept at depicting moments of drama and repose in harmonious shapes and colors as her figures, many in flowing robes, comport themselves with lively grace while passing through and between realms both mundane and mystical in the fluidly sequenced panels. Skin tones range broadly from tan to dark brown; Atana falls in the middle range, chromatically, and is always easily visible due to her short-cropped green hair.

May 13, 2025 - 05:22

The opener’s understated, cleanly drawn art and straightforward storytelling continue in this sequel, which takes the adventurers to the remote Wandering Isles, the source of firebird magic. There, Atana’s firebird friend, Ren, can heal and call on the rest of the long-vanished firebirds to help mend the problems disrupting Earth’s magic flow. Meanwhile, Atana’s kidnapping by agents of the Merfolk Empire precipitates a rescue expedition that reveals both surprising new allies and a prophecy that Atana will somehow play a vital role in breaking the chains laid on the merfolk’s freely floating magic by their harsh, controlling empress. The tale, lightly endowed with heroic exploits and threaded through with themes of reconciliation, comes to a tidy wrap that will leave readers well satisfied. Still, it’s the visuals that will likely linger with them longest. Zhou proves equally adept at depicting moments of drama and repose in harmonious shapes and colors as her figures, many in flowing robes, comport themselves with lively grace while passing through and between realms both mundane and mystical in the fluidly sequenced panels. Skin tones range broadly from tan to dark brown; Atana falls in the middle range, chromatically, and is always easily visible due to her short-cropped green hair.