Zawa is reunited with the other guardians! What will the kids do to protect the mountain in Zawa + the Belly of the Beast #4 by BOOM! Studios!

ZAWA + THE BELLY OF THE BEAST #4

Writer: Michael Dialynas
Artist: Michael Dialynas
Colorist: Michael Dialynas
Letterer: Michael Dialynas
Editor: Eric Harburn
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: February 14th, 2024

Previously in Zawa: Bandit and Thatcher live on a mountain and have rescued the childlike guardian Zawa. However, the Mayor has another Zawa head trapped in a container and in the possession of Bandit and Thatcher’s Mom, Mrs. Blackbird. The kids take Zawa to a meeting filled with Zawa sympathizers but run before it starts.

REBEL!

Zawa + the Belly of the Beast #4 starts with Zawa running into Mrs. Blackbird and the other Zawa. Zawa rescues the headless Zawa and runs off. Mrs. Blackbird reveals that Zawa is evil and that the Mayor was trapping Zawa to allow the people to live peacefully. Yaya and the kids disagree and lead a protest to ask the Mayor directly for answers. After getting to the Mayor, Zawa, and the kids learn that the Mayor’s ancestors were at war with the Zawas because they wanted to build more and more on the mountain and take away the natural resources. The kids also learn that the Mayor killed Bandit and Thatcher’s father to help preserve their secrets. Meanwhile, Zawa reaches the other Zawas and prepares to attack the town.

AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION

As I was sitting down to read this, I recalled the numerous comics that play on the same theme. Art imitates life, and Zawa + The Belly of the Beast #4 addresses important climate issues and concerns. The parallel between the Mayor and the government is very on the nose. Perhaps too much on the nose for me. I often teach my students that writers write to subtly spread a message or big idea. But it is a tricky balance between telling a good story and emphasizing your message. This issue didn’t have enough character development to get me attached to the theme, considering it has been a few weeks since I read the previous issue. This means that this issue might work well in a trade, but as a single issue, it feels oddly paced.

The art, however, in this issue was spectacular. The colors brought out the emotions on the page and created a unique atmosphere for everything here. Each page was a delight to read and look at. Excellent artistic linework and coloring in this comic.

BOTTOM LINE: GREAT IDEAS

Zawa + the Belly of the Beast #4 is a solid story but is complicated as a single issue. The issue focused a lot on the plot and conflict, but the characterization was pushed aside for certain reveals and an emphasis on the overarching themes. This issue is vital but would work much better in a trade. Still, this comic gets 4 out of 5 stars.

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