The Mercenary : the voyage

The Voyage takes readers back to earlier volumes of The Mercenary, comprising two short pieces connected by a thin thread. Vicente Segrelles’ serene painted art maintains throughout, but the reading experience feels sparse due to some odd plot choices. In the title story, the Mercenary encounters giant spiders on an island, but instead faces humanoid insect creatures in armor after a detour involving exploitative depictions of naked women. While the art remains impressive, the plot disappoints. In ‘The Flight,’ the Mercenary tests gliding wings in a dream sequence, showcasing Segrelles’ skill in depicting aerial scenes. However, the dream element feels cliché. ‘The Lighthouse,’ the longest story at twenty pages, sees the Mercenary collapsing upon reaching an island with a lighthouse. The ensuing narrative is a jumble of improbable events, leaving readers questioning its coherence. Despite the beautiful art, the story falls short, lacking cohesion. Fortunately, Claust’s forced appearance and unlikely escapes are absent this time. Here’s hoping for improvement in Year 1000: The End of the World.