The Whisper Queen #1 is written by Chip Zdarsky and published by Image Comics. Line art is by Kris Anka, colours by Matt Wilson and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.
The Whisper Queen #1 is available now, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
The royal guard has sent their most capable bounty hunters after the accomplices in the king’s murder! Javro, once the king’s most skilled assassin, must find the killers before they and the bounty hunters—including her son—are wiped out by the kingdom’s most feared specter: The Dark Whisper!
Review
The long-awaited follow-up to The White Trees: A Blacksand Tale” has finally been released, promising a captivating journey worth checking out. The issue begins with a bold declaration that immediately immerses readers into a vivid and tumultuous universe: “The king is dead.” This stark revelation propels the story into a whirlwind of fast pacing and unpredictability, setting the stage and tone for the series.
In the wake of the King’s demise, the realm’s elite bounty hunters, formerly part of the royal guard, are mobilised to track down the assassins responsible. With no defined heir to the Throne and amid the turmoil and chaos, we’re introduced to Javro, the King’s former chief assassin. Now labelled a prisoner for her past crimes, Javro’s world is flipped upside down when she hears the news of the King’s death, and she sees no choice but to break free from her confines and delve into the mystery of the late King’s assassination. Determined to bring the culprits to justice before they can strike again or before the relentless bounty hunters – including her estranged son – catch up to her, Javro embarks on a perilous journey. Her quest becomes all the more desperate as she seeks to outmanoeuvre the realm’s most fearsome foe: The Dark Whisper.
This issue has a lot of cool stuff going for it, lore, exciting characters, an engaging plot, and a solid premise, but one thing bugs me: how quickly we jump from scene to scene. As I flipped each page, it felt like we rushed through the story without getting the chance to dig into what was happening or who the characters were. Slowing things down would make everything feel more connected and give us a chance to really get into the story and care about the characters. Even though the issue is hitting all the main points the story wants to cover, but it feels like we’re just skimming through different scenes and moments without having enough time to let them sink in. Setting aside that minor issue, the story evidently lays out an intriguing and twisty journey. As the captivating prison break unfolds and the past alliances are rekindled, the narrative skillfully incorporates flashbacks to unveil the darker aspects of Javro’s past, adding depth and mystery to her character.
With all the characters, plot developments, and moving pieces at play, I wish the pacing would’ve slowed down a bit to let me digest what was happening, but hey, that’s just a minor note. Overall, there’s plenty to get hooked on and enjoy in this issue, as it kicks off a story that you will want to stick with. The foundational elements are all being laid, and from what I have seen so far, it’s setting up something promising.
Verdict
If you’re into tales filled with shadowy figures, mysteries, and a quest for redemption, you must check out The Whisper Queen: A Blacksand Tale. It’s a blast to read, whether you’ve been following the story for ages or just jumping in now, and it’ll leave you hanging on for what comes next.
⭐⭐⭐
