Otherkin #4 review: Storming the Castle

We were treated to an early preview of Otherkin #4 last week and have been itching to find out what happens to shapeshifting Alex in the rest of the issue. At the end of Otherkin #3, Alex had been about to enter Sterling Tower, owned by millionaire Damian Sterling. Damian had attacked Alex and stolen part of his body. Alex was determined to get that piece back.

An action-packed issue

Writer Marco Vito Oddo and artist Victor Costa went all out to make this an action-packed issue. As seen in the preview, the first act of the issue is a heist-style entrance of the Tower by Alex, before making his way up the 12 floors. It was great to see Alex demonstrate the versatility of his magical and shapeshifting abilities. He could not have done it however without the remote support of Lorelei, who was feeding him information about the building.

The climax of the issue has Alex find the vault with his missing part secured inside. This was trap however, which saw him lasered into sludge. In this weakened form Damian was able to attack Alex before the shapeshifter was forced to flee out of a window.

Marco Vito Oddo paced this issue incredibly well. There is the tense build-up of Alex getting passed security. This is followed by Lorelei opening up to Alex about her father, offering a respite to the action. A breathless, and speechless, entry to the vault leads to the climax – the showdown with Damian.

Otherkin comic 4 page 1 — *Alex gets entry to Sterling Tower*

Art & design

Visually, the Otherkin #4 is as strong as ever. Victor Costa’s style, which is reminiscent of Mike Mignola, continues to impress. While the style is simplified, compared with the predominant styles in superhero comics for example, it never feels simple.

With more action and less dialogue, the illustrations are the key storytelling method for large chunks of the issue. Costa uses space and framing confidently, demonstrating dynamic ways to present scenes. The stairwell scene is an excellent example of this but there are more intimate moments, like Alex hunched over the laptop, that speak volumes.

We are treated to some unused character designs and lore, including imagery of sigils. These pages show how effectively Marco Vito Oddo and Victor Costa are at working together. The older designs, while fine, do not fit the world they are creating. Instead they have kept going at it to get a visual style that works.

Damian Sterling is a monster

Although the end boss will no doubt be the Wizard, Alex was got to again pit himself against Damian Sterling. It was a genuine surprise that Alex did not best him at this point. In more mainstream comics, this would feel like the natural end to the first arc, establishing Alex’s growing powers against a lower-ranking villain.

Instead, Sterling did not even break a sweat beating Alex. He had meticulously planned a trap to destabilise Alex’s form, even using the experience to test a theory. Prior to this, Sterling had tortured and murdered the poor cleaner from the National Archives in Otherkin #1. In a world where there are actual monsters, Marco Vito Oddo reminds us that the scariest thing is other people.

Sterling is clearly going to be around a bit longer, even promising Alex to “see you soon“. Alex will have to rethink his approach if he is to beat Sterling.

Where is Noah?

The issue did not end with Alex’s escape from Sterling Tower, as there was one last scene to wrap up. The formless Alex retreats to Lorelei, who helps him create a sigil. Once made, Alex utters two words.

“Noah. Help.” – Alex

We have only had snippets about Noah’s background so far. We know only that Alex believes that he had put his friend Noah in harm’s way and is trying to track the Wizard because of this.

The notebook at the end of the issues suggests that Noah is teaching Alex how to cast spells. They are also learning how to communicate better, seemingly as there seems to be a limit on how many words they can send each other.

What we do not know is where Alex’s former friend from foster care is. It is likely that he is now trapped in whatever power Alex draws his magic from. Does that mean he is there forever though?