• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket

Comic Book Review – The Forgotten Queen #4

June 3, 2019 by Rachel Bellwoar

Rachel Bellwoar reviews The Forgotten Queen #4…

Readers versed in the Valiant Universe probably already know that Gilad Anni-Panna (or the Eternal Warrior) has two immortal brothers. When you don’t know, though, and Dr. Oyuunchimeg switches to “brothers,” all casual-like, it couldn’t come as more of a surprise.

One of the great things about reading The Forgotten Queen has been how welcoming the series has been to new readers. More than previous issues, there’s an awareness reading issue #4, that we’re touching on some key events, not just within this series, but within the Valiant Universe. The Boon, for instance, sounds like something that’s would’ve come up before (maybe in the Eternal Warrior’s solo series, since it explicitly involves him). Writer, Tini Howard, explains just enough so you can understand what’s going on, without straying far from Vexana’s involvement.

Howard’s control of this story has been remarkable, from the start. The classic, serial format suits this series to a tee. Save the beginning to tie up loose ends (in this case, Vexana’s alliance with Dracula), then set-up the next issue with an open ending. That’s as much true this issue. Despite technically being the last one, Howard doesn’t write it as a good-bye and the seeds are very much in place for a Vexana follow-up.

The meat of the issue is a look back at Vexana’s childhood, which is something I didn’t see coming, but would be another cool idea for a miniseries – Young Vexana. Vexana may be immortal but that doesn’t mean she remembers her childhood any better than mortals do (if anything, she has more reason to forget), so instead of Vexana confronting her brothers this issue, we have Oyuunchimeg sharing what she learned from her research into Vexana’s life.

Right away Ulises Arreola’s colors set Vexana apart from the rest of her family (one brother has black hair but that’s about it). Dressed in whites and creams, they blend in with their surroundings while Vexana stands out. She was born in Ur, too, yet the city doesn’t recognize her in the same way that it does her brothers.

That “Vexana against the world” mentality continues with Jeff Powell’s letters, where Vexana’s narration boxes are filled with a caustic red and the animosity between her and Gilad requires extra bold emphasis (and that’s before Vexana finds out he’s her brother). It’s not a vicious anger at first, but a squabble for supremacy, where bold type asserts correctness. Gilad assumes he has the moral high ground but Vexana doesn’t take that for granted. When he pulls at her cape it’s a little kid demanding attention and Vexana isn’t someone to be pushed around.

For all of the fighting, The Forgotten Queen is a personal story and that’s thanks to Amilcar Pinna’s focus on Vexana’s face. Every emotion is laid bare, and it’s why accepting this series could be over is such a bummer. Vexana can never be done but will we hear the rest of her story?

Rating: 8/10

Rachel Bellwoar

Filed Under: Comic Books, Rachel Bellwoar, Reviews Tagged With: The Forgotten Queen, Valiant Entertainment

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

How Will Quentin Tarantino Bow Out?

The Most Shocking Movies of the 1970s

13 Underrated Horror Franchise Sequels That Deserve More Love

10 Incredibly Influential Action Movies

Great Mob Movies You Might Have Missed

10 Great Tarantino-esque Movies You Need To See

10 Iconic Movie Weapons Every Millennial Kid Wanted

Ten Essential Films of the 1950s

Is Denis Villeneuve the Best Choice to Direct Bond?

7 Forgotten 2000s Comedy Movies That Are Worth Revisiting

WATCH OUR MOVIE NOW FOR FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

Top Stories:

Movie Review – The History of Sound (2025)

10 Psychological Horror Gems You Need To See

Movie Review – Christy (2025)

Movie Review – The Threesome (2025)

Movie Review – Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025)

7 Great Dystopian Thrillers of the 1970s

Movie Review – Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (2025)

Movie Review – The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)

The Essential Indiana Jones Rip Off Movies of the 1980s

6 Cabin Horror Movies You May Have Missed

STREAM FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

FEATURED POSTS:

The Most Terrifying Movie Psychopaths of the 1990s

Feel the Heat: Uncomfortably Hot and Sweaty Films

Naughty Video Games of Yesteryear

Cannon’s Avengers: What If… Cannon Films Did the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Our Partners

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket