GVN Talking Comics Review: Mad Cave Studios ‘Potions, #4’

Last Time on ‘Potions’

The Magic was about to hit the fan when we last left Potions. The wizard Goras had been trying to reunite the two pieces of the Fordstone for what seemed like forever. But now he was close. Journeying with his Granddaughter Poncelina to Earth and the magical city of Seattle. However, to complete his plan, he needed a corporeal body to switch with. Seeing as he was caught in between dimensions due to his craving for power. He accomplished this by forcefully trading places with Poncelina. Much to her disappointment. Goras promised her that once his goal was achieved, he would bring her back. Yeah…Right!

The Curse Expands

But that was not the only problem. Asteria and Astreus, Ran’s younger twin siblings had taken the other half of the Fordstone  from Bracco (Geneva’s Father) and left without saying where they had gone. That left Ran and Special Agent Geneva Garcia to attempt to track the pair down. Hopefully before Goras could get to them and the Fordstone and before their parents and now Bracco succumbed to the stone’s curse.

Encounter with Goras

Meanwhile, the aforementioned Asteria and Astreus have gone shopping. Asteria for ingredients for her potions. Astreus to pick up on women (priorities are important). But before they can get very far with either, Asteria notices a disturbance in the astral plane. Goras has arrived to retrieve the other half of the Fordstone. Astreus attempts to engage with the wizard, giving Asteria a chance to whip up a potion to battle him. While the battle goes on, the spectators assume this is a performance by street performers. Really GOOD ones.

Goras Wins (for Now)

As the battle ensues, Geneva took advantage of Ran’s magic (at least when she could get him to focus) to pinpoint the twins location. The arrived just as the battle was heating up. Ran engaged Goras with his power, surprising the wizard initially. It was just enough for Asteria to create a binding potion, seemingly engulfing Goras. Unfortunately, their apparent victory was short lived as Goras broke free and took the twins along with the Fordstone. They were gone, leaving only Ran and Geneva.

“Adept” at Magic

The pair return to Geneva’s father and explain what happened. Bracco feared the worse. The last time he and Ran’s parents had defeated Goras, it had required ALL their magic and some surprise. Now, they had neither. But Geneva for one wasn’t about to give up. As they talked about the dilemma facing them, Bracco realized that Geneva had some magic of her own. Also, like Ran, she was an “Adept.” Meaning neither of them required potions or wands to access their power. What they needed is focus. Bracco used his wand to hopefully give them that focus. But it took a lot out of the aging magic user. However, he hoped it was enough. Both Primatera and Earth depended on it. Because, for better or worse, it looked like Ran and Geneva were their only hope.

Thoughts

By the time a limited series gets to the fourth issue, the story should be hitting on all cylinders. That is what is transpiring for Potions, Issue 4. Writer Erik Burnham has ramped up the stakes with now both the Jones parents and Geneva’s father under the Fordstone’s curse. Is it a coincidence that in both cases, it was the Jones children who were responsible? I think not. At least they shared the blame evenly between Ran, Asteria and Astreus. How democratic.

Artwork

But with the story accelerating in both scope and drama, Stelladia’s art has also ramped up. Opening with the first two pages with hand painted powerful brilliance. Vibrant color and unfocused vision perfectly reflect the dream state that Ran encounters in the issue’s start. A vision that sets the stage for what is to come in the final battle. It certainly appears that Stelladia is ready. Are you?

Mad Cave Studios Potions, #4 by Erik Burnham and Stelladia is now available. It can be found on Madcave’s Subscription site here.