Reborn #3 continues along the path set by its creators to generate an amazing story filled with unique characters, wrapped in a dream-like world. Writer Mark Millar and artist Greg Capullo fly our hero, Bonnie, into action as they further introduce her to the wondrous lands known as Adystria.
If you need a quick recap – check out Fanbase Press’ reviews for Reborn #1 and Reborn #2.
Capullo, along with inker Jonathan Glapion and colorist Fco Plascencia, illustrate how beautiful and terrifying this new existence can be for Bonnie and others like her. Regardless of any previous beliefs she had about life after death, her prior life and the world she knew disappeared when she moved into the light. And out of the light, transformed like a cocoon, Bonnie stepped through to the other side to find colorful landscapes, familiar faces, and a battle between good and evil that one might never hope to experience.
Capullo, Glapion, and Plascencia draw massive mythological creatures and bounty hunters that are much taller than any other human, each with solid white or red eyes intensifying their evil nature within. These beings from Adystria’s opposite, the Dark Lands, have proven to be quite dangerous, chomping with razor-sharp teeth or swinging with large clubs. This comic book begins much differently than the first two issues in the series, as they identified our hero, her transition from one life to the next, and established a new mission to find her deceased husband from the first life. This issue has you holding your breath from the beginning.
Not only do Bonnie and her father continue their search, they soon find themselves hiding in a forest from dragons so gigantic, they make elephants look like appetizers. The use of different-sized panels helps to denote an overall scale for all living things, and thus far, all things that have been enormous have not been on the same side as the good people of Adystria.
Plascencia again uses wonderful colors to enhance the imagery in Issue #3, whether it be the shine of a sword against a black background or intense colors in and around fight scenes, possibly a foreshadowing of the powers meant to accompany Bonnie as the world’s savior. Along with great drawings, Millar highlights our lead character’s quick wit and inklings of a story that is much more elaborate than is already apparent. Reborn builds upon its strong first two issues for Image Comics by adding a different level of intensity by showcasing our heroes in action, and delving into the Dark Lands and those associated within. Not only does this story seem to have endless possibilities, Millar introduces new elements, keeping the reader interested in the next steps along this journey’s path.
Reborn #3 is now available in print and digital form.
