It’s been 35 long years, but Jim Henson and Frank Oz’s dark fantasy masterpiece, The Dark Crystal, has finally gotten a sequel. From the creative minds of Simon Spurrier, Kelly Matthews and Nichole Matthews, “The Power Of The Dark Crystal” #1 is more than just the follow up I’ve been waiting for since I was four: it’s damn good comic in it’s own right.
Read on below for our full spoiler free review of “The Power Of The Dark Crystal” #1 to find out why you can’t miss this.
Written by Simon Spurrier
Illustrated by Kelly & Nichole Matthews
In celebration of the 35th anniversary of Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal, return to the world of Thra in an official sequel to the beloved fantasy film. Discover an all-new race of creatures called Firelings that live in a realm near the planet’s core, based on official character designs by Brian Froud. Years have passed since the events of the original film, and though Jen and Kira have ruled Thra as King and Queen, bringing Gelfling back to the land, they have become distracted by power and can no longer feel or see the needs of the world the way they once did. Thurma is a young Fireling tasked with stealing a shard of the Dark Crystal to restore power to her realm. Along the way she’ll befriend the young Gelfling Kensho, bring back the Skeksis and Mystics, and embark on one incredible adventure.
While it may be less openly loved that it’s older sibling, Labyrinth, Jim Henson and Frank Oz’s The Dark Crystal was a film that pushed the limits of puppeteering in cinema. A live action fantasy film without a single human character. A fantasy that dared to be dark, dramatic and emotional with a cast that was entirely puppets. It was a huge gamble, but it has become an iconic staple of fantasy, inspiring the look of fantasy, especially in video games, from the likes of Morrowind through to Dark Souls. Now, 35 years later, the world of Thra has returned thanks to Simon Spurrier, Kelly Matthews and Nichole Matthews adapting the proposed screenplays for a sequel into a comic book as “The Power Of The Dark Crystal” #1.
Right from the off, the reverence for the original film is on full display and a lot of that comes down to the artwork of Kelly and Nichole Matthews. Going into this issue, there was a question of how the art would capture the world for the film and unique designs of the characters by original concept artists Brian Fourd. Thankfully, the Matthews sisters were able to knock it out of the park by staying true to the look and the design of the original film while blending that with their own visual style. The world of Thra is much brighter and more full of life than we last saw it and the artwork reflects that with a vibrant colour palette full of blues, purples and reds.
Right from the very beginning of the comic, that opens with the familiar landscape with a pitch perfect recreation of the crystal castle surrounded by lush vegetation. It’s an image that evokes the final frames of The Dark Crystal, but the use of bright oranges and deep purples to contrast against the blue sky brings a new tonality to the world. This is seen throughout the issue as it takes place primarily in the castle. No longer is it of cracked sandstone, awash in sepia and brown. Instead, it is of the deepest blues and brightest oranges. Needless to say, this issue is just as gorgeous as The Dark Crystal was in it’s own way. It captures the look and feel of the world, but the Matthews sisters make it their own.
The Matthews sisters bring a delicate life to the world of Thra. The linework is of simple shapes that are built and given life through the colours. I get the feeling that this is an issue that simply would not be effective without colour as so much of the feel and texture of the panels is shown through the colour. Especially for the character of Thurma, a young Fireling. Surrounded by and partial consisting of flame, the Matthews sisters use layers of colour to evoke a sharp contrast between Thurma and his environment. Literally, Thurma is the fire of new life running through the old and tired environment of the crystal castle.
Continued belowThis blending of old and new extends even to the writing. Simon Spurrier does a fantastic job of evoking the tone and structure of The Dark Crystal‘s narrative in the opening pages through the use of narration, even echoing specific lines. That then makes way for the new story of Thurma, which still thematically echoes the journey on Jen in the original movie. What is perhaps most impressive of Spurrier’s writing is how he manages to capture the voices and mannerisms of the world. The Dark Crystal‘s dialogue had such a particular cadence that to capture it is no easy feat, but Spurrier definitely managed it.
Spurrier’s writing in this issue serves to introduce the reader to the world of The Dark Crystal. Even those who have never seen the original film shouldn’t find themselves lost as Spurrier plainly connects this story to the events of the original. Mostly, the issue serves to introduce the reader to Thurma and his quest, introducing a new side to the world of Thra in the process, and ending on a mic drop of a last page. A last page that, for fans of the film, should guarantee their interest for the rest of the series to come.
All in all, this issue shows that “The Power Of The Dark Crystal” is shaping up to be a more than worthy follow up to the classic film. Sure, it’s a shame it took 35 years, but the creative collaboration between the Matthews sisters’ gorgeous artwork and Simon Spurrier’s pitch perfect writing was well worth the wait. Where the series’ story will go from here is really anyone’s guess, but this issue was proof that the story is in safe hands.
Final Verdict: 9.0 – A fantastic first issue that had a daunting legacy to live up to and managed to both honour a classic film and use it as a launchpad to tell a new story.
