Raven: Daughter of Darkness #6 // Review
Issue number six is the halfway point in the Raven: Daughter of Darkness mini series, and from the cover art alone, this is sure to be a bombshell of an issue. The creative team of Marv Wolfman, Pop Mahn and Lovern Kindzierski have been building up to the confrontation between Raven and her father, the interdimensional demon, Trigon, since the start, and now it’s here. With such a massive conflict taking place mid series, it will be interesting to see where the creative team takes Raven next, as Trigon is no slouch when it comes to conquering and enslaving other dimensions.
Series writer and Raven co-creator Marv Wolfman has really put Raven through the ringer in these first six issues. Ending the last issue the way it did was quite clever, making sure that readers were going to be around for this issue to see what happened next. The action is fast and frantic in this issue; however, there is a nice rewind of the events that lead up to the ending of the last issue. Breaking it down by seconds heightens the tension for the reader and shows just how bad of a situation Raven is in. Wolfman is able to delve into Trigon’s plan as the villain delivers a scathing speech to Raven while he is trying breach reality. Wolfman also shines a light on many of the supporting characters throughout this issue, which is a nice change of pace. More character arc is given to the cloned daughters of Trigon, as well as Baron Winters, who will play a pivotal role going forward. Winters mentions to Raven that the Shadow Riders are still out there and will need to be dealt with, and offers Raven a position in his newly formed Night Force, a group of supernatural individuals tasked with intervening in deadly otherworldly matters. Wolfman’s teasing of this possible team will be a great and welcome addition to this series if it comes to fruition.
Pop Mahn has teased Trigon for six issues. However, now he has been fully unleashed, and Mahn makes Trigon look terrifying. Reaching through the interdimensional portal, the flesh from his arm melts away, leaving only bones that are coming for Raven. What an incredible image this is, and really helps Mahn illustrate how serious and dangerous Trigon is. Mahn also treats the reader to an incredible battle between Trigon and all of his children. Raven, along with her imprisoned siblings who were the only survivors of Trigon’s efforts to spread his seed, wage a supernatural war against dear old dad. This is a multi page battle that will not disappoint and shows that Mahn is on top of his game.
Colorist Lovern Kindzierski introduces more variety of colors into this issue than ever before, and they look incredible. Kindzierski had been working primarily with black, blue and purple as main and accent colors, with some occasional red. However, with this issue, readers are treated to an entire rainbow of supernatural beings, with all kinds of colors. The portal that Trigon is trying to breach looks very ominous, a deep black and light fuschia combination giving it a very spooky look that would make someone turn their heels and run the other way if one popped up before you. Trigon also creates energy blasts the have a sickly green color that looks like they spell instant death.
With six issues under their belt, the creative team of Wolfman, Mahn and Kindzierski have been able to keep things fresh by introducing new ideas for the next six issues. Hopefully with the possible introduction of Baron Winters’ Night Force, new and exciting characters can be introduced and help build on the excitement they have created in the first half of this mini series. In the last few panels of the issue, they make sure to remind the reader that The Shadow Riders are still out there and pose a very serious threat to the magical community.
