Until Now
From the beginning of this epic saga, Monomyth has dwelled in the magic of stories. Personal stories that made up made up the myths that both educated and entertained. However, when it comes to the magic they contain, it is best controlled by those whose stories they are. No one knew this better than Humunculus. It is why he emphasized the importance of the chosen intertwining their OWN stories into their magic. To do otherwise, courted disaster and death. Already in the first two issues, some of the recruited magicians have learned this the hard way. Ahmad was the most recent, in attempting to save his love Vivienne. Which left the remaining chosen with one important question. What were they going to do now?
What to Do
To Vadim, this was a foolish question. The natural answer was to get the hell out of there. Before one of the creatures appeared and another of them were eliminated. While the rest of them might have agreed, they hesitated to tell Vivienne she had to leave Ahmad behind. He only just died. Died to save her. Surely, they could give her a few moments to grieve. As they did, they considered the choices. If they proceed without a plan, they could easily run into more of the creatures. If they stay, the creatures would no doubt come for them.
But they also knew that wouldn’t leave Vivienne behind. So as hard as it was for her and them, she needed to agree to come with them. And realize that she would have to leave Ahmad behind. She acknowledged this, kissing Ahmad in farewell. But she also reminded them that this castle was on an island. The best way to escape was to find Humunculus. Wherever he had gone. She remembered that the Wizard’s assistant had said that his time to die, his story had not yet ended. But soon. Perhaps, this was all part of his story.
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Wide-Open Doors
As they thought about this, they looked at the wide-open doors. Perhaps it would be wise to close them. But on the other hand, what if one or more of the creatures were inside the castle. Closing the doors might leave them locked in with them. But before a decision can be made, a Chimera makes it for them, slowing entering through the doors. Vadim watched the creature and made a decision. If magic was the cause of the problem, then magic SHOULD be the solution, as he draws his wand. He tells the others to get ready to run when he confronts the Chimera.
Telling Your OWN Story
Kerra is unsure of this plan. Surely Vadim had seen what happened when the others had confronted these creatures. But Julia believes Vadim might be right. But only as long as he focuses on HIS story, and not the Chimera’s. Humunculous had warned them that nature did not fancy to people forcing their own stories upon them. So, Vadim needed to tell HIS, and he needed to believe in what he was saying. For Vadim, this was natural. His story was written all over his scarred face. He was a survivor. Always has been, always WILL be. In his story, he survives…and they BURN! As he uses the magic of his wand to conjure a massive flame.
But as he blasts the Chimera, he notices that his comrades are still there. He shouts at them to RUN! In which direction, he doesn’t care. Just away from the Chimera. As they run, Kole trips and has to duck in hiding as one of the Chimera sniffs for him. Meanwhile, the others have reached another door. A door that will not open. Vivienne has had enough. She wants to use her wand on the Chimera. Perhaps Earth magic in this case WILL work. Kerra tells her that if she wants to use her wand, try using it to open the door. But Vivienne is tired of running. She has done that all her life. Run and hide behind others. Even behind poor Ahmad. She has had enough. Besides, at this point, with Ahmad gone, what did she have to lose?
Vivienne Makes a Stand
She uses her wand, and it reveals the Chimeras…and the stories behind them. Four different people, four unique and tragic stories, that led them to the form they now assumed. As their stories are revealed, Vivienne realizes that she cannot stop them. All she can do is delay them. Telling her friends to once again run. But they are trapped by the closed door. As they desperately push, Vadim kicks the door with his massive might. It creaks open. Why hadn’t they tried that the first time? As they made it through and closed the door, they realized that Kole was not with them.
No Magic Required
Kole was still inside, watching as Vivienne succumbed to the Chimeras. As he considered his options, a sword clanged down to the ground near him. Meanwhile Vadim, Kerra and Julia were trying to keep the door closed on their side. Hearing the horrible grinding noises and the screams. But when the inside went silent, they stepped away from the door. Soon, it creaked open to reveal Kole standing over a dead Chimera, sword in hand. “No magic required he said,” with some smugness.
Surviving Takes Precedence
Kerra however was not as pleased as one might think. Those were human beings at one time. How could he slay them so heartlessly. Kole pointed out that while the Chimeras MIGHT have been human once, they no longer were. And they were trying to kill them. Vadim agreed with Kole. They were no longer the humans they were. That made Kerra wonder if Kole would feel the same if it had been one of them? Would he kill one of them if they had been changed? For Vadim, he had to admit, if it came to that, he would. He would survive and make no apologies for it. Kerra asked Kole if he felt that way. He told his sister that it had to be obvious to her by now that whatever was controlling the events in the castle, it was pitting them against each other.
And Then There Were Four
As they spoke and unbeknownst to them. A skeleton scribe had come to motion, dipping his quill into a blood red ink. As they spoke, he wrote the name of Vivienne and crossed a line through it. And then, there were four.
Thoughts
At the end of this issue, Writer David Kazan (through Kole) brings up a point that does seem to be inevitable at some point. The chosen were brought in for one of them to be a replacement to the Grand Wizard. Humunculous’ master. At least that is the assumption made from the first. That would require those unworthy of the title to be eliminated. Although one might question why their deaths were necessary. Also, till this point, the deaths haven’t been at the hands of one of the chosen. So, when Kole says they are “pitted against each other,” he doesn’t mean mano a mano. At least not yet.
Job Applicants Rejection
For the most part, it was their poor decisions that likely led to their demise. That seems like a harsh way to eliminate job applicants. Especially since none of them actually applied for the position. Couldn’t they have just said, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you?”
In addition, both Ahmad and Vivienne died giving their lives FOR someone else. Would THAT be considered a “bad decision?” Perhaps Vadim would think so under his strict, Survival at all costs theorems. Apparently, selflessness isn’t a listed qualification for the job. Makes you wonder why anyone would want it. Perhaps that is why the Chosen weren’t given the CHOICE to apply. They were just summoned. I expect that Grandmaster Hazan will reveal at some point what about each of the Chosen’s stories qualified them for selection. As it is, the original seven got down to four very quickly.
Artist Cecilia Lo Valvo
With such dark goings on, Artist Cecilia Lo Valvo is still killing it. Mixing gruesome creatures, fiery action scenes, intense character interaction and the somber, moody look of the castle environment with equal skill. Hazan is giving Lo Valvo a great playground in Monomyth, and they are hitting every ride in the park. Nicely done.
Mad Cave Studios Monomyth, Issue 3 by David Hazan, Cecilia Lo Valvo, Marissa Louise and Lucas Gattoni is available now on Mad Cave’s Subscription Site and where great digital comics are sold.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.