Writers: Wes Clark Jr. & Steven E. de Souza
Artist: Ediano Silva
Colorist: Vinicius Townsend
Letterer: Taylor Esposito
Cover Artists: Lucio Parrillo; John Royle; Arthur Suydam; Cosplay
Publisher: Dynamite
Price: $3.99
Release Date: November 8, 2023
Someone's sending test teams into the Forbidden Zone. Sheena wonders who's disturbing the natives. Can she discover who wants to exploit the indigenes' home and why? Let’s leap into Sheena Queen of the Jungle: Fatal Exams #3 and find out!
Story
As Omar cruises the river, he asks an old fisherman if he's seen a young blonde. As Sheena's friend Don Felipe realizes the young man is spinning a yarn, the vine-swinging jungle queen lands on Omar's boat. Having identified Omar as one of the Norteamericano outsiders, she draws a knife and demands answers. When Omar's men appear, Sheena must defend herself while demanding answers from the cowardly Cowodis.
While most of her friends are fascinated by the Blessing Goddess, Tyler is warming to her new roommate. Still fixated upon fame, riches, and earning her father's approval, the purple-haired schoolgirl leaves the amulet her friend gave her with Chim to accompany Sheena to the library. The girls research the history of their school, preparing a report to celebrate its 400th Anniversary. But are they alone in the quiet, book-lined aisles?
Writers Wes Clark Jr. and Steven E. de Souza weave intertwined plot threads into Sheena Queen of the Jungle: Fatal Exams #3. For less valorous reasons, Tyler's father—the head of the secret police—shares Sheena's interest in the Cowodi survey teams. Thanks to Tyler, he knows “monkey girl” is more than just the long-lost daughter of an influential family. Following orders, Omar’s boss Gordo searches the city for Chano, the university student who processed an ore sample Sheena secured. The Norteamericano outsiders will threaten Sheena's Human friends Bob, Ransome, and Don Felipe. And what about Chim? Given how the Blessing Goddess’ amulets affect the schoolgirls, can Sheena’s small simian resist its charms?
Art
Lifelike portrayals and compelling backgrounds welcome readers to Sheena Queen of the Jungle: Fatal Exams #3. Ediano Silva captures quiet moments of reflection and realization, social interaction, and jungle battles in exacting detail. Injuries inflicted may not appall, but Silva doesn't stint on the blood, guts, and gore. One of Gordo's goons bears a confusing resemblance to Chano. Yet all the characters and settings appeal amid pages packed with panels. A double-page spread relates the thrill of a chase in a creative flood of mesmerizing moments.
A forest of greens and a river of blues enhance Omar’s approach while Don Felipe tries to catch a big pirarucu. Blood and water splash as Sheena battles her attackers along the rapids. Sunlight and shadow fall on muscles, skin, and clothing, including Sheena’s animal skin one-piece. Vinicius Townsend's rich and nuanced coloring makes every character pop as Sheena hunts for the truth.
Given the plentitude of dialogue, Taylor Esposito’s black, uppercase letters in white dialogue balloons delight the eyes in Sheena Queen of the Jungle: Fatal Exams #3. Energetic and colorful sound effects help you hear blows and gunfire. Tyler's amulet activates in a still room. Pete's squawks demonstrate his above-average intelligence. Now, if only Tyler would stop slurping her Vita-Glo slushies!
Thanks to Dynamite Comics for providing a copy for review.
Final Thoughts
Wheels within wheels, a large cast of characters, balloon-packed panels, and two compelling mysteries make this jungle tale a demanding but absorbing and exciting read. For maximum enjoyment, reread the first two issues, keep your Spanish-to-English dictionary close by, and unearth the treasures buried within the pages of Sheena Queen of the Jungle: Fatal Exams #3.
Rating 9.4/10
To preview interior art & view more awesome covers see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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