PopCultHQ

PopCultHQ received a review copy of PORTAL BOUND #4 from Aspen Comics. Available this Wednesday, July 4th on New Comic Book Day, the creative team for this series features writing from Mark Roslan and Gabe Carrasco, illustrations by Alex Arizmendi and Marco Renna, with colors by Wes Hartman, Jesse Heagy, and Omi Remalante, and lettered by Zen of HCMP.

Here’s PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of the NCBD issue of…

PORTAL BOUND #4

Writers:
Mark Roslan,
Gabe Carrasco

Artists:
Alex Arizmendi,
Marco Renna

Colorists:
Wes Hartman,
Jesse Heagy,
Omi Remalante

Letterer:
Zen of HCMP

Cover Artists:
Alex Arizmendi, Adam Archer

Available: July 4th, 2018
SRP: $3.99

Their Future Depends on Each Other as
Aspen’s newest hit series continues!

Sybil has abandoned her friends! As she makes her way to face her father alone, an unexpected but familiar face lies in wait, but are they friend, or foe? Meanwhile Emperor Atilus has all but completed his plan to return Havos to the war-world it was in the glory days, and the Portal Bound crew faces it’s biggest challenge yet… Brett?

PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
PORTAL BOUND #4

The fate of the Earth and her sister world, Havos are intertwined, as the Portal Bound team must accept the responsibilities that they have inherited. The story is starting to move at a breakneck pace as ties that bond are challenged and grow tighter in the latest issue of Portal Bound.

Writing:

The story as presented in this book can be a little intimidating for a new reader. The book opens with some backstory to the mysterious and aloof princess, Sybil, but past that charges headlong into the task at hand. With high stakes and a situation most dire, the desire to know more was really what pushed me forward. There is also an energy to the pace and writing as presented though, after investing myself in the characters, I was rooting for their success.

Art:

The art is colorful and portrays this world of science fantasy well, with some imaginative beasts and curious differences between the worlds. The artists at hand display a talent for design and palette choice, giving Havos a more neon, dreamy design, where Earth takes a more familiar, but obviously sci-fi aesthetic. These worlds are both familiar, yet alien to the reader as they share ephemeral boundaries, broken only by the titular portals.

The characters are designed with care, each having a distinct silhouette from each other to better separate them from one another. Their motions and stature each have a distinct poise to them, accenting their serious design at times with a somewhat cartoonish twist to enhance their motion and flow. With that at hand, there is care in allowing each one to be as expressive as possible, helping the characters entice the reader to root for them.

If I was to raise any criticism, it would be that aside from the design work, the book is a little dry. The action in the panels is perfunctory but does not necessarily grip. There is the hints of exciting swordplay, action, and intrigue at hand here, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot of visual weight to what is on display. This may be due to the fact that the choices in color and design seem to lack the use of more contrasts of shadow and light.

PopCultHQ’s overall assessment:

While I found myself enjoying the book by the end, I admit having to re-read a few pages to make sure I grasped the concepts at hand. The art was lovely, but not entirely exciting at times. While these may be deal breakers to some, I’d advise at least picking it up off the shelf and seeing if the characters win you over. Even with those challenges at hand, I’d say this is a good read for fans of science fantasy.

PopCultHQ’s Rating:

3.5 Out of 5 Stars

PORTAL BOUND #4 can be pre-ordered on comiXology and
purchased at your local comic shop and online retailers Wednesday, July 4th!

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Colorist – Omi Remalante

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Letterer – Zen of HCMP

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Publisher: Aspen Comics

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