Shout It Out Loud: Psycho Circus #4 to #6: Smoke & Mirrors (Part I, II & III)

SMOKE AND MIRRORS (PART I)

Published by: Image Comics
Rating: ***1/2
Released: November 1997
Number Of Pages: 22

Plot:
A depressed Kismet ponders her troubled life and puzzles over her recurring dream. She stumbles upon references to the Four-Who-Are-One figures in an old book and recognizes their symbols as the ones from her dreams. Later when she goes to see the travelling circus in town, Kismet is drawn to a tent where she is confronted by her bad memories of the past. She decides to face her past problems and step towards a large mirror. It swings aside revealing a doorway to another room where The Ringmaster startles her entrance.

Story by Brian Holguin.
Pencils by Angel Medina.
Inks by Kevin Conrad.
Color by Brian Haberlin, Dan Kemp and Andy Troy.
Lettering by Richard Starkings and Comicraft's Kiff Scholl.
Cover by Michael Golden.

KISS REFERENCES

Entire Story: The Elder
     Reference: From the album: Music From "The Elder" (1981).

Page 5 (Frame 1): Over the door, Fox and Pharoah make-up
     Reference: Eric Carr and Vinnie Vincent make-up.

This issue explains the history of the Four-Who-Are-One, where they come from, what are they through the girl Kismet and her dreams about them (her name has certainly something to do with the name KISS). This cover is the worst of them all, I don't know why they put a picture of the band on it, maybe it's to sell more copies or to show people that this was about the rock group KISS, I don't know but it's an horrible cover.


SMOKE AND MIRRORS (PART II)

Published by: Image Comics
Rating: ***1/2
Released: December 1997
Number Of Pages: 22

Plot:
While Fortunado tries to help Kismet with her confusion, Blackwell becomes angry and banishes her from the secret room. As Kismet stumbles away, she finds the torn page from the library in her pocket and again sees visions of the "Four-Who-Are-One". Bewildered and dizzy, she then finds her way into a hall of mirrors that reflect her disturbing visions and lonely childhood. When the images overwhelm her, Kismet goes into a rage and shatters the tormenting mirrors and her tenuous hold on reality fragments.

Story by Brian Holguin.
Pencils by Angel Medina.
Inks by Kevin Conrad.
Color by Brian Haberlin, Dan Kemp and Andy Troy.
Lettering by Richard Starkings and Comicraft's Kiff Scholl.
Cover by Michael Golden.

KISS REFERENCES

No references found in this issue.

Second part of a 3-part sequel. The intrigue is told little by little. Again an horrible cover!


SMOKE AND MIRRORS (PART III)

Published by: Image Comics
Rating: ***1/2
Released: January 1998
Number Of Pages: 22

Plot:
Insight into the very beginnings of the circus are revealed through Kismet's eyes. Some of Madame Raven's backstory is revealed. A new member joins the Circus, much to the dismay of Blackwell.

Story by Brian Holguin.
Pencils by Angel Medina.
Inks by Kevin Conrad.
Color by Brian Haberlin, Dan Kemp and Andy Troy.
Lettering by Richard Starkings and Comicraft's John Roshell.

KISS REFERENCES

Page 1 (Frame 2): Make-up on the box.
     Reference: Make-up of all the four KISS caracters.

Page 8 (Frame 5): I call upon the Demon, God of thunder and fire--
     Reference: From the album: Destroyer (1976), song #4, God Of Thunder.

Page 8 (Frame 6): We call upon the dark Gods of the Elder, the Four-Who-Are-One.
     Reference:From the album: Music From "The Elder" (1981).

Page 9 (Frame 2): Creatures of the night, who walk the line between Heaven and Hell.
     Reference:From the album: Creatures Of The Night (1982).

Page 9 (Frame 2): Creatures of the night, who walk the line between Heaven and Hell.
     Reference:From the album: Hot In The Shade (1989), song #13, Somewhere Between Heaven And Hell.

Page 17 (Frame 2): He knows she betrayed them.
     Reference:From the album: Hot In The Shade (1989), song #2, Betrayed.

Page 18 (Frame 4): They must carry the legacy of this day with them forever.
     Reference:From the album: Hot In The Shade (1989), song #7, Forever.

Page 19 (Frame 2): Come Kismet. It is time to move on.
     Reference:From the album: Paul Stanley (1978), song #2, Move On.

Page 20 (Frame 1): Like coming home.
     Reference:From the album: Hotter Than Hell (1974), song #9, Comin' Home.

Page 22 (Frame 3): Otaku written on the sleeve of a shirt.
     Reference:Homage to the webpage KISS Otaku.

The last part of the Smoke and Mirrors story focuses on dying for a purpose. Many questions about the origin of the circus are answered. Finally the cover is much better.


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