The Tablet of Destinies #3

Lady Mechanika: The Tablet of Destinies #3

Writer: M.M. Chen
Artist: Joe Benitez and Martin Montiel
Colorist: Mike Garcia
Letterer: Michael Heisler
Cover Artists: Joe Benitez, Martin Montiel and Mike Garcia (Cover A pictured above)

Lady Mechanika: The Tablet of Destinies #3 brings in the airships for a battle in the sky. There are rescues, chases, fist-to-cuffs and near misses as Lady M goes into action. Following her every step of the way are great visuals bringing the story to life. Get ready for some steampunk adventure.

Nine issues in and this series is still going strong. The Tablet of Destinies #3 takes the story to Germany and Africa as Lady Mechanika zeroes in on Winifred and her grandfather. There’s a mixture of action and drama that kicks things up a notch. Yet even still, I find myself surprised at how well the series is going. The story is entertaining, the characters are captivating, and the artwork is magnificent. It’s hard to find any flaws at all. Really, if you’re not reading this series, you should be.

Showcasing the art a bit, this issue had some great panels. From the dark, golden catacombs of the City of Enki to the gloomy blue skies of Germany, the artwork brings a tangible atmosphere to each environment. Then there’s the big shots. One full page panel shows Lady M rocking it with a jet pack. There’s a two page sprawl as she fights off a squad of goons and, as has been customary for this arc, there is a pin-up in the middle of the issue showing off the fabulous cover art. Yet my favorite is the end panel. It’s a two page shot of the Sahara that’s as much storytelling as the word bubbles. As good as the artwork is, there’s just as much craft in the scene selection. The choice of illustrations matches the story perfectly. The melding between imagery and words creates the immersive magic of the series.

I give The Tablet of Destinies #3 a five out of five metal bikinis.

Reviewed By: Skuldren for Roqoo Depot.