Forget the Forgotten One, how about the Unbinding Stone?
THE GOOD
I really enjoyed the art. The colors are especially appealing. The writing seems to be more on track now. Maybe the second issue was just a hiccup?
The "battle" scenes were well drawn, the dialog made sense, and the background story for Ghaur was a nice touch.
As the pieces of this story start to fall in line, things are starting to make sense. I hope the creative team can balance the momentum with a decent conclusion in the remaining two issues.
THE BAD
The battle between Thor and Tutinax gets a reboot, but with similar results. Why is Thor being manhandled by this deviant? A full blow with Mjolnr isn't what it used to be, I guess.
Why was Gilgamesh, The Forgotten One introduced? This part feels like last issue... gratuitous introduction to non-important characters.
Ghaur seems extremely formidable, the deviants have to do what he desires, how does this add up to a ruined and chaotic society? Sure, it wouldn't be fun, but it sure should be organized and well managed. Either way, it is a good thing that Ereshkigal was able to grab something so powerful, because it looks like she is going to need it in her opposition to Ghaur - which, by all accounts, feels like a spell of teenage rebellion against a overbearing parent. I certainly hope this story ends up being more than an abstract lesson in parenting.
Finally, we see in the preview for the next issue: GOD vs. Eternal! -- did we really need another sub-battle? Has everyone forgotten about the little device that can destroy all realities?
THE VERDICT
Recommended if you have been reading the arc so far. It is certainly not a new reader jumping on point, as it is part three of a five-part mini, but it does do its job as part of that arc. In fact, it has started to redeem my confidence in this mini-series, which started strong and then faded in the second issue.
The various pieces are starting to be tied up, which makes for a better story. I do fear that the seemingly all important Unbinding Stone of Oshemar is being downplayed - possibly because the creative team doesn't quite know what to do with it (much like Ereshkigal)? The worst part is, they only have two issues left before the series is complete -- it may not be enough pages to get this part and the rest of the story completed -- at least not up to reader satisfaction.
As always, I am holding out hope, and am in it for the "long haul", well at least until the end of these five issues. :)