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Aurora mistress of Light, comics, Image Comics, Kel Symons, Nate Stockman, Pat Brosseau, Paul Little, Reyn, Reyn #10, Reyn #10 review, Reyn Vol 1 Warden of Fate, Reyn Vol 2, Seph, The Followers of Teck, The Land of Fate, The Venn
Reyn #10
Review by Paul Bowler
The sublime blend of sci-fi action and magical fantasy adventure continues in Reyn #10, where following a furious battle against his enemies, Reyn has now been fatally wounded after his mission to rescue Seph from the Venn stronghold. Seph brings the last Warden of Fate to his spirit guide Aurora mistress of light – the invisible entity that normally only Reyn can see and hear – who begins to tell Seph of Reyn’s origins…
Reyn #10 delves into the mysteries and secrets of Reyn’s past, as the Image Comics sci-fi fantasy series, written by Kel Symons (The Mercenary Sea), with art by Nate Stockman, colors by Paul Little, and lettering and Design by Pat Brosseau, explores the uncanny mythical and technological legacy of his creation and role in the Land of Fate!
Writer Kel Symons has crafted an intricately detailed world with this series. After the shock revelations that the Land of Fate was really an artificial environment on one of three huge space arks used to evacuate the world before a catastrophe overtook the sun, along with how the Venn’s involvement caused the Great Cataclysm and influenced events on board, Reyn risked life and limb – quite literally – to rescue Seph from the Venn stronghold in the Rift, but the price was catastrophically high for Reyn! Now, as Seph struggles to cope with the full extent of Reyn’s injuries, Aurora finally reveals the shocking truth of who Reyn really is.
This final issue follows Seph’s arduous journey to help her fallen comrade. It’s a voyage that takes her across the Land of Fate, with only Aurora to guide her, and once their final destination is reached he pieces of the puzzle slowly begin to fall into place. Kel Symons brings all the threads of this magical fable together with assured skill, mixing high drama, adventure, and humour as the history of the Land of Fate gradually unfolds. Aurora’s character has been one of the most delightfully quirky highlights of this series, for the most part Reyn has been the only one who could speak to her, but now that Aurora and Seph must work together to save Reyn, this issue finally reveals just how crucial Aurora’s role has been to ensuring the legacy of The Wardens of Fate continues. Seph’s relationship with Reyn is also a key factor to some pretty major events here as well, especially when she is faced with a heartrending choice that will ultimately decide Reyn’s fate.
Reyn #10 is without doubt the pinnacle of Nate Stockman’s excellent work on this Image Comics series. Stockman’s incredible visuals have made every issue of Symons’ sci-fi / fantasy saga a joy to read, now the culmination of that epic adventure plays out in Reyn #10 as the storylines converge with Reyn’s, Seph’s, and Aurora’s destinies in the most sublime way imaginable. Nate Stockman brilliantly conveys Seph’s lonely journey across the Land of Fate, past events and the arrival of the Venn are relayed in vivid detail, and Reyn’s true beginnings gradually become clear in via striking blend of fantasy, monsters, and advanced technology. Paul Little’s colors are as lavish and vibrant as ever, and the lettering and Design by Pat Brosseau is exquisite.
Everything is resolved in a way that is both completely indicative and as bold as we’ve come to expect from this outstanding sci-fi / fantasy series. Kel Symons concludes the story arc with a wondrous, perfectly staged coda, and Nate Stockman rounds everything off with a beautiful final page is simply breathtaking.
Reyn was one of the most enjoyable new titles I had the pleasure of reviewing in 2015. Yes, I’m a bit late with this review of the final issue, but now that the trade collections of Reyn Vol 1: Warden of Fate and Reyn Vol 2 are both available, I though it would be a good time remind you all just how great this series was. Reyn was envisioned as a 10 issue storyline, but who knows, if the trades do well, maybe we will see more adventures featuring Reyn and Seph in the Land of Fate one day? Either way, the story ends on a high note, Kel Symons, Nate Stockman, Paul Little, and Pat Brosseau did some amazing work on this series, and I’d certainly recommend checking out the Reyn trade collections if you can – you won’t regret it.
Publisher: Image / Writer: Kel Symons / Art: Nate Stockman
Colors: Paul Little / Lettering and Design: Pat Brosseau
Sci-Fi Jubilee 