After a long chase sequence issue, The Seasons #8 puts Spring on the offense against an army of imp clowns. The time for cowering and fleeing is over, especially with Spring sporting a sword and what appears to be Viking armor. It’s an issue that progresses the plot while delivering fun and fancy-free art by Paul Azaceta.
The Seasons #8 opens where we left off, as Spring must fight her way through the imps or being captured, and likely brainwashed like her sisters, Autumn and Summer. Once again, writer Rick Remender uses captions written from some distant future in Spring’s voice as she recounts the adventure we’re experiencing on the page. There are twists and turns in the battle, with Spring stabbing imps through, and an imp duo in a car driving around the interior of her house, upping the ante.
The first half of this issue is all about Spring fighting and then discovering that she has a valuable weapon that could turn the tide. There’s also a nice bit of Summer, who is still brainwashed at the start of the story. Azaceta will blow you away with the exciting action, the chaotic nature of so many clowns in one space, and the loud and expressive facial expressions of Spring.
Time to cut up some clowns.
Credit: Image
The second half takes a decidedly different turn as the story shifts to Winter, who is trapped in the clown world of lies and deceit. Similar to Spring, Winter sees what the imps think he wants, luring her into believing she can have everything she ever wanted. The scenes are drawn with blacks and blues, conveying the darker tone of Winter and focusing on an audience of folks who seem to think they understand art, and thus don’t understand Winter – until they do, and Winter is elated for it.
While the second half ends in a surprising and satisfying turn, with Winter leaning into her deepest desires, the laborious chatter about art from the patrons of the gallery runs on too long. I kept wondering why we needed so much back and forth when the point was clearly expressed. It takes about seven pages before Winter goes from sullenly chatting to getting whatever she wants. It feels long, even when the payoff is entertaining in the final few pages.
Speaking of the ending, Remender and Azaceta pull off a turn nobody will see coming. Given how stretched the series has felt with the imps being somewhat one-note, it’s nice to see the stakes raised for the Seasons family.
The Seasons #8 blends high-energy action and surreal introspection, with Spring’s sword-swinging clash against imp clowns standing out as a highlight, while Winter’s lengthy art gallery sequence bogs things down despite a powerful final twist. Remender and Azaceta still find ways to surprise, keeping this series unpredictable and engaging.
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