Review - Honor And Curse: Eternal #5
From Mad Cave Studios
The dark adventures continue from Mad Cave Studios with Honor And Curse: Eternal #5.
Strapped to a nightmarish operating table, Genshi faces a brutal “living autopsy” as a fanatical cult seeks to rip the Tengu from his soul, forcing him to make a deadly choice that will either end his life… or unleash the monster within.
Author: Mark London
Artist: Jaime Infante
For an issue where Genshi spends most of it strapped to a table, there is actually plenty going on. I really like how the story plays out with Genshi battling on both the outside and the inside, giving us two different types of conflict at the same time. Although physically he is very much at the mercy of those around him, mentally there is still a fight going on, and that keeps the issue moving.
Genshi is in serious trouble after the events of the last issue, and we find him strapped to a table while the plan for the world is laid out in front of us. The aim is nothing less than world domination, with the Tengu being an important part of that plan. Of course, Genshi is not exactly suited to the role in their eyes, and the plan is to abstract the Tengu from him and place it into a body that is more willing to accept what they want to do.
I like the way this gives us more information about what the villains are actually trying to achieve. It is not simply about capturing Genshi or defeating him; there is a much bigger plan at work, and the Tengu is effectively being treated as a tool to achieve that. There is also something quite personal about the way Genshi is being treated, particularly when you consider the relationship that has developed between him and the Tengu.
While the physical attack is happening, there is also something taking place on the mental plane. Genshi and the Tengu are looking for a way to escape, and this gives us another side to their relationship. They have to work together, and the internal struggle works well alongside what is happening to Genshi physically. It makes the action feel more layered rather than simply being another fight.
This was an excellent issue, with some great action pieces and a story that works particularly well with the main characters involved – Genshi and the Tengu. There is a good balance between finding out more about the plan and seeing the characters trying to survive what is happening to them. The outcome also provides a strong hook for the next issue, while moving us towards understanding what the foe is after on a much more personal level.
I really enjoyed the artwork here as well. The distinction between the ‘real world’ and the internal aspects involving the Tengu works really well, giving the issue a different feel depending on where we are. The artwork handles the action particularly well, but it is the internal sequences that really stand out for me. There is also some excellent colouring throughout, helping to bring both sides of the story to life.
Overall, this is another strong issue that manages to move the story forward while giving us plenty of action and more insight into Genshi and the Tengu. Even with Genshi spending much of the issue strapped to a table, he is certainly not sitting around doing nothing!
