SWORDS OF SORROW MASQUERADE KATO SPECIAL
Written by G. Willow Wilson, Erica Schultz
Art by Noah Salonga
Colored by Dinei Ribiero
Published by Dynamite Entertainment
Release date: May 27, 2015

This is a one-shot special featuring two of the leading ladies who gain a special Sword of Sorrow from a mysterious stranger named The Traveler. In this case we are witnessing how Kato and Masquerade meet.

Noah Salonga uses great visuals to sell a covert meeting gone wrong at the beginning of this issue. The gritty warehouse and dock setting sells the pulp aspect of this crossover event from the very beginning. Ribiero’s dark color palette is punched up with highlighting reds and clear skin tones. Instead of fighting Salonga’s lines when Masquerade uses her mind reading abilities, via possession, Ribiero finds common areas that blend and work together. The result throughout the book is a classic superhero style that functions.

Wilson and Schultz do not weigh the story down with any extraneous exposition. There are brief references to Masquerade and Kato’s histories. This gives the novice reader an idea of what these women have faced in the past. Since there isn’t a large page count being devoted to their backstory. Instead the whole issue focuses on the danger and action at hand. Between Masquerade gaining her Sword of Sorrow (Kato received her sword during the first main crossover issue,) and fighting a possessed Black Beauty there is plenty to keep the long time Dynamite fan thrilled, as well.

The one moment that might throw readers off is when the story cuts away to the villains of the entire crossover, plotting on how to thwart our two leading ladies. For those who have not read the Chaos preview or are not familiar with Purgatori’s m.o. might be put off by the interaction she has with The Prince.

Overall, there is a lot of fast paced action, clever resolutions and just a taste of a cliffhanger to get you to want to read more of the Swords of Sorrow crossover.

The Verdict: 9.0/10