Belle: Beast Hunter #5by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 7 Belle traverses the underground area and fights her way past the local monsters in order to rescue her friend Mel. Belle defeats the beast in one-on-one combat, but just as she's striking the killing blow, an impossible person intervenes.This penultimate issue has quite a surprising double-reveal twist at the end. It's shocking and makes me want to read that last issue right now. There's a small flashback in this issue that provides a bit of necessary backstory for part of this cliffhanger, but it definitely doesn't prepare us for it. It's really well done. I also like the flashback of Belle and Mel in high school, which is interesting and insightful. However, both of these flashbacks seem to be at odds with the rich life Belle had at the beginning of this issue. The bulk of this issue is narrated through Belle's mental thoughts and internal reactions with things spoken aloud. It has good pacing that makes it enjoyable to read and works well with her travelling and fighting. My favorite part is how this works in a humorous way when paired with her getting her butt kicked during the fights. It's a little meta and a little sarcastic, and playfully at odds with the serious life-or-death situation. The main thing that irked me is how Belle has suddenly become ambidextrous, switching her axe from one hand to the other for no apparent reason. It's super annoying, especially since it's most likely just the artist wanting to draw her from a certain side with no concern for continuity. Even if you can use both hands, fighters don't switch hands that much, and certainly not without reason. Then, there's the panel that defies physics. Belle has cut the head off one monster (behind her, with one hand, but that's neither here nor there). Looking at the neck and the blood spray, it appears she cut left to right. However, looking at her ax, the wrong side is bloody and gives the illusion of it heading in for a right to left cut. Also, those are some crazy-high heels she's wearing to go spelunking and monster hunting / fighting in. I do like that Belle actually used something from inside one of the pouches strapped to her (even if I wonder why she didn't use her throwing knives), and it's revealed that her wrist-cuffs hide a secret weapon that comes in quite handy! As far as story and plot go, this issue is a winner. If you like action scenes, this is more to enjoy, though there are continuity issues and more with the art. Written: October 13, 2018
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