The End Of The Story Arc Is Just The Beginning Of Vivian’s Story: ‘Misfortune’s Eyes’ #3 Advance Review

Anger. Surprise. Disappointment. Excitement. Suffice it to say, reading Misfortune’s Eyes #3 triggered a lot of emotions. It’s a rollercoaster of an issue. Within the first three pages alone I went from being irritated to impressed in quick succession. Not all creators are willing to make tough decisions. You could point to something as mainstream as Stranger Things, which backtracked on killing off one of its main characters in season four – sure, it’s a choice that’s hard to be upset with as a fan but it wasn’t necessarily the right creative move. Writer Brooklynn Prince and artist Aliz Fernández take some big swings in this issue that are going to elicit reactions out of readers, but that’s what artists are supposed to do and it’s what makes a series worth reading – the fact that it’s not obvious what’s going to happen next.

In my review of the second issue, for example, I thought for sure issue #3 was going to open with Vivian finally sitting down with her Nana to get some much needed answers about her new home in Hemlock Hallows. When it instead began with Vivian going to her friends, Alma and Cybil (who were conspicuously absent and missed last issue), for answers about her Nana’s mysterious aura it seemed like a cop out, especially considering the stakes, to wait to talk them to instead of asking Nana directly. Technically how much time passed in-between is never mentioned but issue #2 ended at night and issue #3 begins with sunshine, so too much time.

Granted, Vivian doesn’t know her Nana well but the same is true of her friends. Other than Alma and Cybil being the same age as her, there’s no reason she should feel more comfortable going to them with her worries than to Nana but, as quick as I was to criticize Vivian, she does something mature after that and that’s the thing to keep in mind, reading this issue. It’s never wise to doubt Vivian’s capacity for making smart choices.

Without getting too deep into spoiler territory, I love that the series makes the most of some of the seeds it planted in earlier issues, like Alma’s medium powers which come into play at a crucial moment in this issue. It makes for a solid payoff, especially since her powers haven’t been harped on too much, so it’s possible readers might have forgotten about them.

Visual-wise, there’s a panel in this issue where two characters are subjected to a lot of stares and gossip. They handle the situation differently but it’s a panel where, yes, there are people whispering in the background, but it’s the characters’ body language and facial expressions that are allowed to carry the scene. Nothing has to be said – it’s all in how Fernández draws their eyes and the direction they’re facing.

For those who’ve been wondering what the title Misfortune’s Eyes is about, that answer comes in this issue. It’s also the issue where Alma and her family decide to face Hemlock Hallows and make the townspeople see that they’re not the enemy they’ve been conflated into being these last 15 years.

This issue might be the end of this arc but it better not be the end of this series, because Vivian’s story is just getting started. It’ll do as an ending for this arc but it’s clearly not meant to be permanent.

Misfortune’s Eyes #3 goes on sale May 22nd from Sumerian Comics.