The halfway point of a limited comic book series tends to be a test of how strong the concept is. Will it still keep readers hooked? Is there enough momentum to keep the story going? Most importantly, are the creators still firing on all cylinders? In the case of Bug Wars #3, the answer to all of these questions is a resounding “Yes.”
First up is how the story progresses. Slade Slaymaker finally learns how to harness the power of the strange amulet embedded in his chest, and he takes out some deservedly pent up frustration on the insects who’ve tried to kill him. But he soon learns that his father was also able to utilize the power of the amulet…and is unaware that most of the bug clans want the amulets for their own purposes. Jason Aaron unfurls the revelations in a way that will keep readers hooked, but also have them asking more questions.
Second is the momentum. This issue of Bug Wars moves at a reasonable pace due to Aaron’s stellar scripting, but it also has a wide variety of imagery courtesy of Mahmud Asrar. Asrar illustrates pages that are gory (mostly pages of bugs exploding under Slade’s fists), pages that are creepy (anything with the spider witches) and pages that are clever (most of Slade’s father’s belongings are stacked in a way that resembles religious worship, which is fitting given his supposedly heroic status.
But the moment that sticks out most to me comes early in Bug Wars #3. Slade, not being used to fighting in a miniature death pit, is slowly having the life drained from him by mosqiutos. In his dying moments, he flashes back to a happy moment with his father when he was younger…and manages to unlock the full power of his amulet. The juxtaposition between life and death is clear thanks to Asrar’s art, since the happy, baby Slade is a far cry from the teen teetering on death’s edge. The colors by Matthew Wilson add to this, as the shining golden light of the past provides sharp contrast to the blood-drenched, muddier hues of the present…and the glowing green light that surrounds Slade’s amulet.
The work that goes into detailing the different bug clans only serves to deepen the world of Bug Wars, as each clan has their differences. Whether it’s the Beetle Riders placing pride in their combat abilities, the Spider Witches who weave webs of prophecy, or the multitudes of the ant armies, Aaron, Asrar and Wilson have made the kind of world you want to continue exploring – especially with Becca Carey’s carefully lettered breakdowns of each clan.
Overall, Bug Wars #3 passes the “limited series test” with flying colors. It’s remained entertaining and engaging, even at the halfway point, and if the creative team has its way there’ll be much more on the horizon. And I’m defintinely looking forward to more of this world.
