Gina, Britanny and Brianna are in Egypt this time 'round looking for the fabled Pharaoh Dragon's tower. Supposedly, it contains treasure, treasure, treasure! After reminiscing about what each has done for the past month, they go attempt to locate the tower. At that moment though, Selina the witch and pet/familiar Aja also try for the tower, looking for the fabled Dragon Orb. (Ever notice how long-lost fabled objects are never sought after for quite some time, and then all at once everyone who wants them finds them?)
The two teams go up against the myriad traps that accompanies the tower. Something rings odd though, because all of the monsters that the heroes encounter aren't as powerful as they boast to be and are easily driven back. Unfortunately, the girls are too busy avoiding Selina and Aja, as well as seeking out the Dragon Orb, to figure out why.
The Dragon Orb is a powerful and intelligent magical artifact, which has the purpose of being the tower's warden. That's right, this is a supernatural prison for the world's most powerful supernatural villains. The Dragon Orb is the object keeping everything from going to hell.
This poses a problem for our heroes when Selina manages to take the Orb from its power sink (a throne of power.) Now all of the monsters are ticked at our heroes for taking potshots at them while powerless, namely Brianna who has discovered an affection towards mayhem, violence and heavy artillery. As well, the evil Maelstrom wants the Orb under his thumb so he can rule the world once again.
All is saved, thankfully, when a frizzle-fried Britanny vents on the big baddie. The Dragon Orb is returned, Brianna potshots a few more inmates, and our adventurers leave. Selina and Aja also teleport out, leaving Aja to lament travelling via broom once again.
Note: this review brought to you courtesy of the Bubblegum Crisis anime soundtrack. Go find it, watch it, eat dry "Life" cereal, and love the rockin' tunes!
This issue is deceptively small. The synopsis above is the bones. This is really a tale of the sisters having a good time together while using their wits. Selina and Aja (from NHS) make good rivals here, and provide a comedic element that is well used. ("Make myself look bigger... make myself look bigger..." HA!!!)
The villain Maelstrom gets his first appearance here, and Bri's love of all-things-destructive also debuts. Like I said though, it's a D&D game in comic book format.
Another debut is the interior art style. The shading is dropped, and line art becomes the standard for all of the issues afterwards. Considering this has to be one of Mr. Perry's first attempts at a whole comic in line art format, it is surprisingly good. Aja, who bears a resemblance to Sailor Moon's Artemis while under Mr. Perry's pen, has his own unique personality and never reminds the reader of Artemis after introduced.
The cover also stands out as being very well done. It is the debut of Gina holding a map while the other two sisters do stuff. (The next appearance of this is in issue #37.) A good effort all 'round and a definite must-buy, if only to watch Brianna potshot the bad guys! (PAGE 14!!! Too much fun!!!!)
Number of times the word 'power' is used in this review - 7
(out of four.)
"Reach out with your feelings, Luke!" - Obi-Wan from "Star Wars"
Tender Viddles - Tender Vittles, a crappy cat food that MY cat wouldn't touch...
TIE Fighters - the bad-guy spaceships from "Star Wars"
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