The Steel Prince #3

Shades of Magic comics (Single Issues) #3

by V.E. Schwab, Victoria Schwab, Enrica Eren Angiolini (Colorist)

V.E. Schwab tells a new story in her bestselling gaslamp fantasy series, as Maxim’s exile brings him face to face with the Pirate Queen.

Genres: Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Adult, Magic, Comic Book

29 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 19, 2018

About the author

This author also writes under the name of Victoria Schwab.

VICTORIA “V. E.” SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the acclaimed Shades universe, the Villains series, the City of Ghosts series, Gallant, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and The Fragile Threads of Power. When not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she can usually be found in Edinburgh, Scotland, tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.

Reviews

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

A game is worth playing if you stand a chance at winning.

The pirate queen holds a tournament for someone to earn a place among her crew on the ship. Maxim and Isra both join the tournament and they have other opponents. The winner gets to challenge the pirate queen herself.

The continuation of the story is quite interesting and I am really liking it. But the rules of magic aren't explained at all. I haven't been a fan of the art since the first part but this was even worse as this part was all fighting and I didn't know what was happening. All the fighting scenes were really confusing.

3 stars

[Ashley Daviau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better and better with each instalment! The story is being fleshed out more and let me tell you, it’s one hell of a story. I’d love a full length novel version if I’m being honest, that’s how much I’m enjoying these! I’ve gained a new appreciation for Maxim and I’m loving the new characters we’ve been introduced to as well. And I love how each instalment is more and more action packed and ends on such a cliffhanger that you can’t help but pick up the next immediately!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

EPIC! Major Avatar: The Last Airbender vibes! A great example of using paneling to your full advantage.. Well done!

[Kamila · Rating 3 out of 5]

It starts to look really interesting

[Patty Zuiderwijk · Rating 5 out of 5]

story 4,5/5
characters 4,5/5
writing 5/5
audio/paper Paper.
reread? Yes.
Recommend it? Yes.


Verhaal: 4,5/5
Karakters: 4,5/5
Schrijfstijl: 5/5
Papier/audio? Papier.
Herlezen: Ja.
Aanrader? Ja.

[jessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shades of Magic #1: The Steel Prince
Shades of Magic #2: The Steel Prince
Shades of Magic #4: The Steel Prince

“Is that allowed?”

“Don’t you get it? There are no rules.”

This issue took so long to arrive, I almost went crazy wating for it.

But it was worth it! Both cover variants are gorgeous (they just keep getting better and better, don’t they?) and the art is as amazing as always.

Isra and Arisa are so fucking badass, it is unbelievable. I need more. Also, Isra constantly calling Maxim “Princeling” is the most hilarious thing ever.

The fight scenes this time were much better and more comprehensible than in the first issue (thank god, this comic is basically just fight scenes – magically fighting scenes though).

I’ve got some major Avatar: The Last Airbender vibes from this. Reading about magical powers is one thing, seeing them is another. I also kept thinking about A Gathering of Shadows and Lila and Kell. I think it’s time for a re-read.

This isn’t the Essen Tasch, Princeling.

[Filipa]

It surprises me how much I've forgot about the magic system. The Essen Tasch (that we get to learn about in A Gathering of Shadows), specially, really gave us a view on all the cool stuff people could do. To be honest, in comic format, is being way harder for me to follow up battles and magical engagements. I'm just not sure if it's harder because I'm not used to reading in this format and sometimes I get confused (I even caught myself reading backwards as if it was a manga for a few times - I know, but it did happen), or if it is indeed easier when it's all written down for you, since there's a lot of specifics about the magic that are unique. Pretty sure if I remembered things better from ADSOM I would have no problem though.

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was far too short!

The awaited meeting between Isra and the pirate queen is upon us!
So basically the pirate queen is hosting a tournament to fill a vacant spot in her crew and the winner gets to fight her, if they survive, then they win the spot.
So naturally Isra decides to compete, not to in but to kick the pirate queen's ass!
And of course, Maxim refuses to let her go on her own to he competes as well.

I just adore how badass Isra is, and can't wait for the next issue!!

[Daisy Gonzalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok this one was waaaay to short!

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

ooooooooooOOOOOOOOO damn

[Manon the Malicious · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 Stars

Things are escalating fast and this issue was very very close to perfect.
I should get #4 on the 30st, can't wait.

[m i l o u ✨ (Grumpy Hobbit)]

And more fighting.


Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | Last.fm

↠ 3 stars

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

This will be short as are the others because this is an issue from a volume. In March a full bind-up of all four issues will be released and I am sure people will have long reviews lol. But I am seriously loving this comic series. I am excited because Schwab is writing more volumes. I think three in all but anyway this is so fun. The third issue is all about the fight between potential newcomers to join Arisa's crew. But Isra and Maxim are taking part as well but not to get chummy with Arisa. They want to take her down but none more than Isra. Isra is ready to take down her aunt once and for all. To do that she has to defeat all the other contestants. Isra and Maxim are the final two and so Isra does all she can to be the remaining one. The issue ends with Isra being the final one standing and ready to face her aunt the ruthless Pirate Queen. I am so stocked to see how this volume wraps up in the fourth issue of this story. 

The color and look of the comic are so beautiful. I really love how the illustrator designed the fight scenes. I am not an avid comic reader so it was hard to get into at first but I love it a lot. It is making me interested in reading Manga. The comic is so on brand with the author as well so it is very fun. I am hoping we learn more about the magic system and how it comes back to the world since we see it in the original trilogy. If you loved the trilogy you must get into this comic series because it is a great insight into the world. 

Favorite Quotes

The winner gets a crack at Arisa. I'm simply doubling our chances.

Well, niece...you have my attention. You will regret that, when this is done. 

[Zara Arshad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one finally has a bit of story and action! I enjoyed the faux Essen Tasch - the fight using power of magic among the competitors for one to come out victorious.

Haha, I loved this little sprinkle of humor.
Maxim goes: Their form is sloppy.
Isra goes: This isn't the Essen Tasch, Princeling.

What I don't get is why is the Pirate Queen having a battle just to hire a pirate aboard her ship? And they would have to fight her too? Why is she going through all this trouble in the first place?


So Isra and Maxim both compete because Isra's got to have her revenge and princeling can't let his friend go die alone.


Funny thing: Isra beats the Prince.
Didn't know that history between them. Guess their bond will become strong this way.





Here are some cool shots from this issue:


If this doesn't look like an Avatar Korra's pro-bending match - without all the safety and rules - I don't know what does.

And this...



Yaay! We now have Isra on the cover art too!

[Amanda [darjeeling_and_jade]]

More magic! Really interested in seeing if this is going to be the "big bad" for the series or if it's only part of the lead up to it. I'm liking that we're getting a deeper look at a few of the characters instead of all of the soldiers because I think it would be hard to keep them straight or care, otherwise. There's so much packed into a few short pages that everything has to have a point.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt very quick, even for a comic. I thought the story was okay but really light. The artwork is still amazing. I think I just wish there was more with the political storyline we were first introduced to at the beginning of the series. The fighting scenes were great to look at though.

[Ashley]

There is so much action packed into such a short comic, I thoroughly enjoyed reading more of the story and I'm still highly intrigued to see where it is going to go. I can't wait to read the rest of the issues when they are published.

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noooo why did it feel so short :((

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, I'm absolutely loving it.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ughhh! It's getting sooo good!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I swear, these comics just keep getting better as the story goes along, I loved this one! I loved the action and I can't wait for the next volume!

[Marhaba Gul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want MORE!

[Meagan (FranticVampireReads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the fight scenes and getting to see more of the magic system. It’s not so different from what I had imagined when reading the Shades of Magic series, but it’s still nice to see it in action. This one is getting a solid three out of five stars.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, things are ramping up, and I can't wait to see how this story arc will wrap up!

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5)

[marti]

i'm waiting january 15th like the arrival of our lord and savior jesus christ the sentiment is the same

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5

nothing special really

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of confusing at first. I breezed through them in under an hour. I'm not used to reading comics, but I feel like depth was missing in these comics. Some scenes jumped back and forth several times with out indication and it was hard to follow in that regard.

I had expected more from this first installment. I want to know more about Maxim and what made Schwab want to tell his story. I hoping the next installment we'll get more of that.

I felt that the events wrapped up too quickly (comics are short so I'm not surprised at this). If this were a full length graphic novel there'd probably be more time to develop these characters. 

Very curious to see what arc 2 will bring. Overall, I'm not a big fan so far.

3/5

[Carl Power · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m really torn about this, the story was ok, but didn’t blow me alway like I thought it would. I understand that they only have so many pages per issue, but I felt like this needed to be longer then a 4 issue story arc as it felt rushed at times and I still after reading it don’t know much about ‘Maxim’ as a character. I get they might do more with the character in future story arcs, but as a stand-alone comic series I didn’t give me the excitement when reading the shade of magic series. The artwork didn’t work for me so maybe they made me feel disconnected to the story, but overall it was ok, but I only wish there was more flesh to it.