Stoneheart #5 // Review
Eldon and Shayde are just getting to know each other. He’s not altogether certain why it is that she’s so fascinated to see his place. It IS a bit cluttered, and he’s a bit distracted. They find a stronger connection in Stoneheart #5. Writer/artist Emma Kubert continues an enjoyably social fantasy story that continues to assert itself as the central cast of the story is revealed a bit more. Shayde and Eldon learn a little about themselves and a little about each other in a remarkably social excursion into traditional fantasy that ends up being deeply engaging.
Shayde can’t even manage a spark. It’s not like she isn’t trying. And it’s not like she doesn’t have the time to work it out...for now. There are greater dangers afoot that Shayde and Eldon will have to lower themselves into willingly if they are to find what they seek. The journey isn’t going to be easy, but they ARE going to have each other. What happens when Shayde finds herself in over her head with a towering opponent and the voice in her head keeps getting stronger and stronger? Can she control herself AND survive?
Kubert smartly avoids so much of the tedium that dominates traditional sword-and-sorcery fantasy. The world-building and imperial politics and ancient histories and so on rest firmly in the background of Kubert’s story as she focuses almost exclusively on Shayde and her journey. The relationship between Shayde and Eldon feels charming and nuanced as the pre-romantic dialogue drives a casual friendship in a direction that could lead to something much more. The profoundly social nature of the drama engages on a deep level that traditional sword and sorcery fantasy so often fails to properly achieve.
As a writer, Kubert knows her own strengths as an artist. She knows that so much of the strength of her art comes from emotional expression and characterization. She embraces that fully in one of the more satisfyingly well-rounded characters to emerge in the past year. Shayde is powerful AND vulnerable. The constant presence of the voice of Shayde’s inner power is such a sharp addition to the drama. Kubert brilliantly nails the mood and feel of corrupting power with the constant presence of those little red bits of text that occasionally appear deafeningly large on the page in moments of great crisis.
Kubert is a delightful storyteller. Her unique take on the sword-and-sorcery fantasy genre maintains a focus on the kind of reader-character relationship that could lead to fierce fan loyalty if the series is given enough time to gain momentum into the future. Her perspective and art style are distinctive enough that it’s not difficult to imagine her rolling with Shayde for years to come. So much of her style and pacing seems reminiscent of Pinis’ Elfquest. It all feels so warm and comfortable with just the right amount of intrepid adventure.
