The Tablet of Destinies No. 5

Lady Mechanika: The Tablet of Destinies No. 5 (of 6)

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

Lady Mechanika: The Tablet of Destinies No. 5 brings more great storytelling and artwork to the series. Really, it’s a perfect meld between the visuals and the dialog. It’s visually stunning and thoroughly entertaining. This issue brings readers into the depths of the jungle and the village of the desert wraiths, yet it also brings more danger as threats come into play.

The visual feast begins in the desert with the desert wraiths in their tan garbs. The contrast of the browns and the vivid blue sky is strikingly gorgeous. It’s superb coloring. With the shift in scenery, there’s the dark brown colors of the underground expedition as they study the Table of Destinies offset by hues of gold. The panels are filled with detail: from the rock and brick lines of the ruins to the overwhelming amount of leaves as readers get their first glimpse of the jungle forest. The onslaught of green assaults the eyes and makes the characters stand out. But then you realize the artists actually drew every leaf. Never have I seen a comic go to such lengths except for the detail oriented work of artists like Doug Wheatley.

Yet with all the attention on the environment, the characters look just as great. Even the layouts are exquisitely crafted to show just the right transitions between panels. It all flows together for an extremely natural, visual storytelling experience.

As for the story, there’s some interesting twists and turns but still lots of mystery. I was surprised as I thought this issue would be the last in the arc, but as it turns out, there is an issue No. 6. I love the way the story is progressing and can’t wait to see how it ends.

I give Lady Mechanika: The Tablet of Destinies No. 5 a five out of five metal bikinis. This is a comic at its best.

Reviewed By: Skuldren for Roqoo Depot.