Writers: Wes Clark Jr. & Steven E. de Souza
Artist: Ediano Silva
Colorist: Vinicius Townsend
Letterer: Taylor Esposito
Cover Artists: Lucio Parrillo, Joseph Michael Linsner, Arthur Suydam & Cosplay
Publisher: Dynamite
Price: $4.99
Release Date: January 31, 2023
Gordo dreams of Sheena, the Matayana or Jungle Witch of The Zona Prohibida, attacking him. His coworkers insist he’s safe. Sheena may have discovered their former base of operations, but their plan is nearly complete. As Rachel Cardwell, Sheena and her roommate Tyler prepare their presentation for the school’s 400th Anniversary celebration. Will Sheena be too busy to track Gordo down and foil his illegal project? Let's grab a vine, swing into Sheena Queen of the Jungle: Fatal Exams #5, and find out!
Story
Unauthorized incursions into The Zona Prohibida prompted Sheena to attend L’école des Jeunes. As Rachel Cardwell, rescued from her upbringing among the natives, she enrolls in Val Verde’s exclusive girls' school. Sheena patrols the adjacent jungle at night, seeking answers to why unsanctioned surveyors are taking core samples. By day, she helps Tyler, the daughter of Colonel Raphael Pinto, compile a report on the school’s origins.
Someone stole the first page from Father Olivo’s 1624 diary. Gordo’s team created the Blessing Goddess’ broadcasts using a photo from a school yearbook. Miss Gomez complained to Maestro Pesado about red dirt in the girls’ laundry. While Sheena and Tyler seek answers to these mysteries in the school library, stable, and grounds, her friends Chano, Roberto Kellerman, and Ransome discover that Gordo’s jungle base once conducted broadcasting experiments.
Colonel Pinto, the head of Val Verde’s Secret Police, fixates on Don Felipe as the culprit. The former revolutionary, who posed as the school janitor, seems a tailor-made culprit. Colonel Pinto may share his daughter's inclination to leap to incorrect conclusions. Still, he reveals a softer, caring side in Sheena Queen of the Jungle: Fatal Exams #5. Perhaps that’s why Tyler insists he's the Director of the Bureau Of Internal Security when everyone else regards him as the head of the Secret Police.
Wes Clark Jr. & Steven E. de Souza tie the writhing vipers of their intricate plot together to bring readers an exciting finale. Sheena, aka Rachel Cardwell, remains front and center as she and her friends pursue this involving mystery to its conclusion. The writers provide a scientific basis for the Blessing Goddess and her amulets. They reveal the historical basis of Gordo’s vengeful Matayana, portray the ramifications of colonialism, and show how greed turns people into heartless monsters.
Still, if Rachel and Tyler don't deliver their presentation before Val Verde's First Lady as scheduled, Principal Solis will give them detention in Sheena Queen of the Jungle: Fatal Exams #5!
Art
Sheena transforms from a beguiling jungle beauty into a vengeful wraith before Gordo awakens in his hastily appointed control center. Ediano Silva illustrates how Governor Alba enslaves Father Olvido’s newly baptized believers. Books fall from the pile Sheena carries onto a table in the booklined library, awakening Tyler from her slumber atop an ancient diary. Dust fills the air as Sheena races her horse between gymkana poles in Sheena Queen of the Jungle: Fatal Exams #5.
Pete perches before a fruit plate by Don Felipe's head while Chim sits at Don Felipe's feet. While the parrot shows little interest in the food, the monkey enjoys watching movies on his tablet. Chano and Roberto hustle Don Felipe out of the hotel as Colonel Pinto arrives with his squad. Even shaved and wearing a suit, can the aging revolutionary escape the grasp of Val Verde's Secret Police?
Vinicius Townsend’s loaded palette brings appealing colors and realism to four-star hotels and Val Verde’s exclusive school for girls. A soft blue glow surrounds Tyler’s laptop when she awakens in the dimly lit library. The Blessing Goddess amulets emit pink light when reducing the students to zombies. Monitor-covered walls fill Gordo’s temporary headquarters with light blue, matching the clouds obscuring the dark blue star-filled sky and glowing full moon. Colonel Pinto and his soldiers fill panels with green, matching the dangers awaiting those seeking to exploit The Zona Prohibida. Rachel dominates every scene, thanks to her vibrant purple hair.
Rich in dialogue, Taylor Esposito’s black, uppercase letters in white dialogue balloons don't stress readers' eyes. Despite a few tiny exchanges, most words are large-size, and there's adequate spacing between lines of text. Brown lowercase handprinted words evoke the allure of an ancient journal. Energetic and colorful sound effects help you hear gunshots, pounding hooves, and Pete’s intelligent squawking. Yet as Sheena Queen of the Jungle: Fatal Exams #5 hurtles to its biting finale, readers may rue the end of Tyler's endearing slurping.
Thanks to Dynamite Comics for providing a copy for review. Now, if only they had included a Vita-Glo Slurpee!
Final Thoughts
Like the Val Verde Chameleon, Sheena hunts down a murderer in civilization and lets nature judge the accused in the jungle. Sheena Queen of the Jungle: Fatal Exams #5 reveals the dangers inherent in Amazon Wishlists, Artificial Intelligence, and watching too much TV.
Rating 9.6/10
For more covers and a one-page preview see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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