Throughout the first two issues of Arcana Royale, the pair gambled with a rather strategic approach to this supernatural poker tournament. As much as we got a rich and robust world full of haunted divers, huge socked monkeys and essentially biblically accurate angels, it was all about immersing ourselves in this strange world and her personal and family struggles. With skill and grace, the strange and terrifying person was always in balance. And there was a bigger story about rewriting your own destiny and changing your personal fortunes.
Now, as the penultimate issue outweighs the strange factors (and the horror vibe), the Arcana Royale remains as powerful and human as ever.
Courtesy of Dark Horse Comics.
Last time, Hudson was shaking after making a big reveal. Arcanos Mysterinos is basically played in human life, and every flip on the card causes death and disaster. When faced with that obvious fallout in this issue, Hudson responds as you would expect before ultimately decide to continue playing. And to be fair, it’s a really solid editing choice. It reflects the way we handle our own experiences in the world. There’s not much you can do about the big picture. Instead, we often choose to control chaos at our front door. It will continue to focus on Hudson, and how she tackles this much bigger than her, perhaps to correct the mistakes in her life.
And speaking of those mistakes, her relationship with her mother became more clear and more unsettling in several important ways. That dynamic and how Hudson is so emphasised and controlled at the very core of how the book is great makes sense for her to respond to how she reacts to this insanity, as she reveals such a essential question. Hudson has always fought monsters/devils. She is willing to put it all in danger in order to win some kind of peace or a new lease.
Courtesy of Dark Horse Comics.
And as Hudson doubles in the game, it inevitably means she won’t play in the creepy aquarium. No, Issue #3 of Arcana Royale saw progression move into this strange hub world. There (along with Zamudio, joined by colorist Bill Crabtree and letter Josh Reed), art had the opportunity to boast even more opportunities. In question #3, we get a lot of weirdness and dark magic. And if it’s combined in some way with casino royals, the whole thing is basically an American god.
But in the creepy masked patrons and the physics that defies reality, this place still has something familiar and familiar to you. It’s a twisted, fun house mirror at a Las Vegas casino, and it further connects with the book’s mantra of playing with our expectations and keeping it “normal” enough to remind us of the real story here. And it is a reminder that we may think we may see the universe, not just human stories.
Courtesy of Dark Horse Comics.
If anything, the moments I liked most visually had little to do with the creepy vibe and nothing to do with what this place has to offer. For example, there was a great section that used the game as a montage and essentially as a montage. Not only did it save time, it also focused on the juicy moments before and after the game, but it felt strange and magical to help the character work and build the world.
Some stories may have been chosen to use real games to tell stories, but in Arcana Royale there may be just as much bluffing and emotional strength outside of the game. Games are just a framework or device, and actual play is actually a way for people to respond between their hands.
Courtesy of Dark Horse Comics.
In fact, I got some of this issue at a more effective moment outside the game. There’s a neat little twist after the first “round” and I can’t ruin it, but it focuses on the emotional tone of this book and the real bloody odds for many players. Hudson also gives time to have two major interactions. One is with another character who reminds Hudson that, like the nasty Corvin in question #1, she may still have a lot to learn. The other, along with the dreamy Reese, helps Hudson once more in control of this game. Or what about him? ! As you would expect, this is a question that you may wonder about the real intentions of your lover boy and why he is so helpful.
It’s not so obvious what I like, but it reflects the average poker game and continues to test Hudson and his ability to reach the heights/depth needed to win this game. It makes Reese someone with real texture and nuances, and as much as he could be a proper, semi-invalid bad guy. There seems to be a tremendous amount of things to know, and Arcana Royale is another way to delve into the magic of relationships in all this flash and horror.
Courtesy of Dark Horse Comics.
This issue ends with something like a very simple, yet very emotionally resonating/taxing cliffhanger. We don’t think that’s what we think it is, but we don’t let Arcana Royale pass to throw a last minute joker in our hands. Aside from all the monsters, gimmicks and premises, Arcana Royale bets that we all want a story about what we do to bring back time with our loved ones. Or how life is a game, and it’s what you do to others that predict winners and losers.
Either way, it’s a stake that’s been paid off so far, and the game isn’t over yet.
“Arcana Royale” #3 makes a big bet (and wins one or two hands) on bloody interpersonal dynamics.
Arcana Royale #3
As the game is drawn to the finale, “Arcana Royale” lifts ante into strange vibes, human drama and all that is dark and fascinating.
More story experiences include even more strange ghouls and supernatural pleasures.
Human drama remains a key element, always outperforming gimmicks and monsters.
Hudson will have the opportunity to interact with others in a new and exciting composition.
The slow burn pace (particularly the drama of Hudson’s mother) may not be ideal for those who are hoping for higher stakes strength.
