Now that Zawa is free, can she help the people on the Mountain? Find out if Zawa and her friends can stop the mayor in Zawa + the Belly of the Beast #3 by BOOM! Studios!

ZAWA + THE BELLY OF THE BEAST #3 (OF 5)

Writer: Michael Dialynas
Artist: Michael Dialynas
Colorist: Michael Dialynas
Letterer: Michael Dialynas
Editor: Eric Harburn
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: January 24, 2024

Previously in Zawa: Bandit and Thatcher lived on the Mountain and suffered from bad-quality food and a low standard of living. They decide to rob a factory and find better ingredients, but when they try to escape, they free Zawa, the Mountain’s Guardian. Zawa is often hungry and doesn’t know life outside the factory, but her presence shows that the mayor doesn’t have the people’s best interests at heart.

FIGURING OUT WHO TO SAVE

Zawa + the Belly of the Beast #3 starts with Thatcher and Bandit’s mom, Mrs. Blackbird, being awoken to come to work immediately. Meanwhile, Thatcher and Bandit began to make food for the community and are a positive presence. Thatcher decides to take Zawa for a drive to see the people that need her help. Meanwhile, the mayor gave a speech about the explosion and tried to push a new energy drink called “Mesa’s Dew.” Elsewhere, Mrs. Blackbird is working on this Dew that drains the magic from the Mountain. We also see a different Zawa in a jar, but Mrs. Blackbird is interrupted when she is informed that whatever drilling operation the mayor is doing has stopped, but they might have found what they are looking for.

Thatcher, Bandit, and Leo take Zawa to meet Leo’s Yaya, but she freaks out. She sneezes, and a tree suddenly appears, but she runs off in the chaos.

WHO TO HELP?

I really enjoy this story at a high concept level. The undertones of climate issues and what they represent through Zawa are highly engaging, and the art style is fascinating. Nothing happened when I stopped to look at Zawa + the Belly of the Beast #3. We get some characterization of Zawa’s personality and powers, learn more about Mrs. Blackbird, and learn more about the mayor and the town. But that is about it. Issues like these read better in a trade rather than as a single issue, but even then, knowing this is only five issues, I crave more development. Even if it is something as simple as them saying, “Now let’s do the thing,” it would connect me from this issue to the next. Instead, Zawa runs away, and in a comic where we are just learning about her, it doesn’t feel like the best decision.

At the very least, we learn that Bandit and Thatcher are really good people. The promise that the mother may not be as honest as her children is an intelligent choice to create more conflict. I’ll be waiting to see how that plays out.

BOTTOM LINE: STANDARD MIDDLE ISSUE PROBLEMS

Zawa + the Belly of the Beast #3 falls into the trap of a long and dull Act II. The narrative arc has solid ideas, but sometimes, that middle section loses its way. But the ideas are great, and the art is fascinating and unique, so there will be an excellent reason to pick up this book if you liked the previous issues. Still, this issue gets 3.5 out of 5 stars, and I look forward to the mystery of the mayor and his schemes.

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