Fairest #18 – Review

By: Sean E. Williams (story), Stephen Sadowski (pencils), Andrew Pepoy (inks), Andrew Dalhouse (colors)

The Story: In a country with few men, even a one-handed fellow starts looking pretty good.

The Review: It’s easy to see that the relationship between plot and character is one of mutual dependence, where if one falters, the other must compensate, and each may help with the development of the other.  A powerful plot can challenge weak characters to reveal greater dimensions to themselves, while strong characters can invigorate an otherwise insubstantial plot.  When both essential sides of a story fail, however, then the story can’t help collapsing on itself.

After four whole issues, it’s become pretty clear that Williams doesn’t have much of a plot to offer here.  If he does, he must be saving it all for one heck of a finale because what he’s given us so far has been completely inadequate.  The Dhole have been the only active antagonists thus far, and there’s no sign they’re anything more than smarter-than-average carnivores.  While we know another mastermind is at work, we learn nothing about him or his intentions here.  Kind of makes it hard to generate the necessary enthusiasm in such stake-less circumstances.