Calum Petrie reviews The Witcher: Fading Memories #4…
I am very much a fan of the world in which The Witcher takes place, though the reason is a strange one. I enjoy how harrowing everything can be, and when a moment of joy or happiness is found then there is more than likely a terrible event on the horizon. This example ties specifically to Geralt of Rivia, a man who is out of place and would appear in this series out of time.
The events of Fading Memories show that monsters are scarce and the need for a Witcher is even more scarce. When a job does arise and the situation caused more questions then a Witcher desperate for work sinks his teeth into the mystery. The foiur-part series has brought us to the source of the town’s joy and sorrow, and while Geralt only wants to stop people getting hurt, he is putting himself in harms way by trying to find a non violent means of ending this.
When I finished this issue I found myself sitting with an extremely uneasy feeling, and I was not sure what I had experienced. The story stayed playing over in my head time and time again, the ending never sitting right with me. The fact that a comic had this effect puts a great amount of weight behind the quality of not just writing but the way in which it is delivered. Bartosz Sztybor uses the character of Geralt to his fullest, while making us care even more for the outcast of society.
An ending to this mini series that has dark repercussions on the readers mind is an interesting take on what has been a troubling tale to read. The whole story has been ingrained with sorrow, death, despair and hope, which is an extremely dangerous thing.
The art from Amad Mir is nothing if not beautiful, capturing the powerful writing and translating that into a great many examples of the world which we are going to be inhabiting. The less detailed character designs are offset by how amazing the wide angles panels are – the stunning vistas, the woodland treks or the dilapidated buildings. All of these elements create a real believable world, as we don’t just live in built up cities where there is mystery around every corner. Instead Amad Mir takes the time to make the little details tell import parts of the story, creating a dialogue while not having to hold out a hand to tell us.
The Witcher: Fading Memories #4 deals with some incredible uncomfortable issues, which I mentioned earlier stayed with me long after I finished reading. The story that is told might not be remembered as one of the greats, yet the impact it will leave reminds me that comics and graphic novels are art; we need to spend more time to interpret and appreciate how comics blend written story with extremely talented artwork.
Rating – 9/10
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