GVN Talking Comics Review: Mad Cave Studios 'Nature's Labyrinth' Issue 5

Last Time in Nature’s Labyrinth

When we last left Nature’s Labyrinth, the participants were dropping like flies. Much to the enthusiasm of those running the show. Minutes going by without mayhem and blood being spilled were rating points being dropped. Three of the original players (pawns) remain and the end is near. Assuming they can be led to each other so they can reduce their number to one. That is the goal and what the wagers are trying to predict in this wonderful world called Nature’s Labyrinth.

To reach the final checkpoint, the remaining victims must backtrack through the maze and arrive back at the beach where it all started. Although you can be sure that their path will be altered on the return trip. Just what Jennie A.K.A. The Shield, wanted to hear as she made her way back.

Dinner Decisions

Along the way, Jennie encountered a few of the surviving later additions to the competition. They were too busy deciding how they would eat the third member of their group. As much as Jennie was sworn to protect those in need, the odds were not in her favor. It would be foolish to attempt to intervene.

That decision was made irrelevant as the Sword suddenly appeared, slicing the hands off one of the men who wanted to eat their comrade. As for the other one, his pleads for mercy were unanswered as The Sword plunged his blade into him from above. Not to be forgotten, the proposed meal was asked for any last words. His stunned silence was very reassuring as the Sword cut into his head. All Jennie could do was watch.

The Terror and the Son

Meanwhile underneath the playfield, the Terror was trying to get away from the wild offspring of two of the game’s controllers. It was his Gameboy that the Terror was given, and he was upset that it had been broken. So much so that Billy gave chase as the Terror did his best to allude him. At least until a low hanging pipe did what the boy could not, stop him in his tracks. After catching up, the Billy realized who he was and knew that his father “liked” the Terror. He could use that to his advantage.

Caught

As he led his captive back, sometimes dragging, sometimes carrying, he decided that he and The Terror were now friends. They could talk about important things like Crypto Currency and Nascar. But before he could do that, his mother caught him. He had thought she would be too busy monitoring the maze to pay attention. No such luck. She instead slapped him for daring to bring a player into their home. But no matter. 60cc’s of what she called Substance Z would subdue him. As far as she knew, The Terror was supposed to be dead already. That could be a problem. She would need to let her husband know. If she could reach him.

Manipulating the Odds

As for her husband Ahab, he was monitoring the contestants from the field, and they were NOT being entertaining. Other than the Sword’s recent actions, the final contestants that mattered were as exciting as paint drying. While he didn’t like to tinker with the system he had established, this contest needed a shot of adrenaline to keep viewers from checking out.

So, he decided to up the ante and use Pancho the Instruction Cat to push things along. This included giving the players some inside intel on each other. With the hopes that the knowledge would allow a psychological advantage. Not to mention supplying a means to track all three player’s whereabouts. Now it was just a matter of choosing your target and killing them. In the words of Danny DeVito as Sam Stone in Ruthless People: “Now that oughta do it!”* With that in mind, Ahab settled down to watch the climax on a monitor.

Not According to Plan

However, much to Ahab’s disappointment, when the Flame and the Sword came together all, it was all hugs and Kumbaya. All they talked about was if they were surprised by each other’s secret. You can’t count on anyone these days. As for The Shield, Jennie was stalking both of them. However, their apparent collaboration was going to make her job more difficult. It turned out she wasn’t wrong as fending off both of them was not easy. Eventually, she was able to take out first the Flame, and then the Sword. At that moment, all other non-starting players were dealt with by their harnesses. Much in the same way that The Lure was dispatched in the beginning. (See Issue #1). As the lone survivor, The Shield was declared the winner.

While this was going on, Dorothy while she hadn’t liked the outcome, had another issue. She still had to deal with The Terror. If the audience were to find out another player had survived, they would all be screwed. With that in mind, she called for her son Billy. He didn’t answer right away, and she started to count to ten. But before she could finish Billy answered her. With a blast from a shot gun. Dorothy has been eliminated. The question for Nasir Sarafin, The Terror was…what would become of him?

Thoughts

After a bloody and flame filled finale battle, a winner for Nature’s Labyrinth was declared. However, in Zac Thompson’s and Bayleigh Underwood’s intelligent and brutal take on reality television, this had very little to do with Nature. At least as the idea of plants, animals, and weather was concerned. This has been, as Ahab referred to it as, an experiment dealing more with the nature of man. In a controlled environment, what would a group of seemingly homicidal, self-centered people do when its kill or be killed. Even one who had made a vow to protect. What was the possibility that they would deviate from their “Nature.” In addition, it also showed what people could be entertained by and wager on. An experiment outside the experiment.

Questions Remain

However, with all that being said, there are still questions that need to be answered. Nassir’s story still hasn’t been revealed, nor has Jennies. At least not in its entirety. For that matter, Billy’s tale is also in need of clarification. Not to mention what will happen when he and his father face off again. That will be answered, no doubt, when Issue 6 releases. In the meantime, Mad Cave Studios Nature’s Labyrinth Issue #5 by Zac Thompson, Bayleigh Underwood, Warnia Sahadewa, and Rus Wooton is available now through Mad Cave’s Subscription site.

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* This was the scene in 1986’s Ruthless People (an added movie reference, courtesy of your friends at GeekVibesNation).

Ken (Judge Reinhold): [over the phone] Mr. Stone, this is no joke. We’re desperate people.
Sam (Danny DeVito): I believe this is a joke pal and you’re it. The last time we spoke you said my wife would be in the morgue if I didn’t pay. Well, I didn’t pay, and I was at the morgue, and she wasn’t there. You lied to me. You know what I think?
Ken: No.
Sam: You got no nuts. What do I have to do? Put a gun in your hand, aim, and pull your finger down you spineless wimp. I dare you to kill her.
[Sam hangs up]
Sam: Now that oughta do it.