Marco Vito Oddo and Victor Costa ramp up the stakes in Otherkin #4, ‘Storming the Castle.’ After the ruthless Damian Sterling successfully severed and stole a piece of Alex’s shapeshifting mass, Alex is left with no choice but to strike back. Now, he must breach Sterling’s high-tech penthouse to reclaim his stolen essence and put an end to the billionaire’s dark endgame.
The Art of the Infiltration
The espionage angle is definitely my favorite part of this story. Alex’s ability to shift into golden goo is a creative touch that really makes the most of his malleable powers. It’s not something you see often as an ability for a hero, but it sure comes in handy for infiltrating and stealth. He can reform his stature and change his appearance at will, which is essential for bypassing security.
Costa’s art continues to be stellar with this moody, kind of noir energy that he brings to the series. The way the golden form glows against the deep blues and ominous blacks of the corporate fortress creates a striking visual contrast that mirrors the conflict between Alex’s supernatural nature and Sterling’s cold, industrial world.
The Chemistry of Blabber and Mr. Creep
Lorelei (Lo) remains one of my favorite characters in the series. She’s a real person with her own personality and quirks. Even while acting as Alex’s remote eyes and ears through the library’s blueprints, she’s funny, which is always a plus. It’s so funny that they’re ‘Blabber’ and ‘Mr. Creep’ to each other. That charm from Oddo’s writing keeps the story grounded. We get a moment of genuine vulnerability when Alex discusses his father’s murder and his time in a foster home. It makes the reader care about these odd couple protagonists as they navigate Damian’s unethical penthouse.
The Brutality of the Stairwell
This issue features some truly stellar visual storytelling, highlighted by that stunning double-splash stairwell sequence. You see the progression from the bottom of the stairs to the top, and you can tell Costa had a blast bringing that to life. It perfectly captures the exhausting climb of twelve flights of stairs while Alex and Lo banter over comms.
However, the story takes a dark, horrific turn when Alex reaches the upper floors. He finds the body of the library’s janitor, who was tortured to death by Damian Sterling. The discovery forces Alex to abandon subtlety. He stops trying to be a ghost in the machine and prepares for a direct confrontation. Damian is too rich to be arrested, and Alex knows the only way to stop him is to take him down personally.
Verdict?
Overall, Otherkin #4 hits all the right notes, deepening the mystery of Noah’s magic and Alex’s past in the best way possible.
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Review: ‘Otherkin’ #4 Delivers Golden Goo, Noir, and Charm
Otherkin #4 moves the needle along perfectly. There’s still a lot to unpack regarding Noah’s spells and Alex’s past, but the intrigue is definitely there.
