Fate: The Winx Saga – Dark Destiny Delivered

Fate: The Winx Saga gets its sequel on Mad Cave Studios’ Maverick Imprint. Who? What? Don’t worry, it’s actually a decent followup.

Fate: The Winx Saga Needed A Primer

The live-action Netflix show was a based on an Italian animated series called Winx Club. It’s a fantasy series full of coming-of-age, fairies, witches, warriors, and more. The series was very successful thanks to well-rounded characters in imaginative scenarios, especially as it builds up its epic serial. My first exposure to it was the 4Kids dub.

Boo!

Yeah, yeah, Ignio Straffi hated them too. At the least, the translations keep the spirit of the show going. Enough for Nick to-

Splat!

What do you want from me; Straffi got the rights back from them! But before that happens, Straffi tries to keep control of his creation with projects like this spin-off. This show was aimed at young adults, especially Winx fans in their 20s. Despite its explosive first start and a second season, it couldn’t perform to Netflix’s high standards for another one. So the Winx franchise’s company Rainbow partners with Mad Cave to finish the series properly.

What’s This About?

This show has its strengths, but it got unfavorable comparisons to Riverdale. With no memorable campiness, it can feel like a vanilla teen angst drama. To say nothing of the mundane settings and clothes. Especially when put next together with the more fantastic world building. It doesn’t help that most of the writers for the show were ripping from their experience in The Vampire Diaries. At the very least, the second season gets around some problems. But not enough thanks to the cliffhanger ending.

A Figurehead’s Symbol

Honestly, going into this, I half-expected something like Maverick’s other followup to a TV show, Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders. But it looks like the writer Olivia Cuartero-Briggs manages to avoid what that book couldn’t. Namely, focus on the pacing, both the story’s and the characters’ motivations. Plus everything’s staged to feel like everybody’s reeling after winning a battle in an ongoing war with losses. A lot of people feel so lost that they need someone to rally behind.

The main character Bloom feels like a Joan of Arc figure both for her fire power as well as how she inspires people to act. Or at least her image and reputation does. It’s enough for Stella to stand up to her emotionally abusive mother when acting as Bloom. Wearing this mask reveals Stella’s leadership skills when their school is under attack by both monsters as well as her mother. Even the reader feels real cathartic with how Stella’s mom pushes everybody around.

Only problem is, Bloom doesn’t feel the same way about herself. She’s having a hard time dealing with the traumas around her identity. Despite Bloom’s great power, she’s overwhelmed by the responsibilities that come with it. So she isolates herself from everyone save her (basically) dead relatives.

…Can Easily Be Rescuplted

But like all symbols, there are forces that want to twist them to their benefit. Often by taking advantage of vulnerable people. One of the best ways this is seen is how this force possesses Stella. In her Bloom disguise, she acts like she’s on a liquid courage high. This allows Stella to act as though she really is Bloom including embracing their love interest. As well as deliver overblown payback on both her mother and Bloom’s foster mother. And considering the in media res, it raises a lot of tension on who is going to tragically die.

Fate: The Winx Saga Has Its Primers

So with every serious event, Christianne Gillenardo-Goudreau uses a simple but very evocative art style. The characters’ features and body language are very lively especially when backgrounds blank out. It makes some moments more memorable by focusing on how serious a character’s relationship is. All the while building up anticipation on what’s about to happen next.

Meanwhile the colorists Dearbhla Kelly and Linden Cahill give this graphic novel a few lively decorations. Like how a magic lasso in flames makes love interest Sky miss Bloom. Or in the Realm of Darkness everybody is in muted grays or blacks. It gives the feeling that everybody here is dead inside. Which makes the brighter colored Bloom stand out like she doesn’t belong, enough for a bartender to give her the eye.

Are You Ready To Face Fate?

The name Fate: The Winx Saga has a lot of baggage, but this Dark Destiny can carry the weight. It could even be someone’s first thanks to the structure. Readers can empathize with the cast trying to get through their grief and losses. As well as trying to find something to rally behind to get through it. Which leaves readers on edge that some big tragedy is on the horizon despite the magical spectacle. This gets 8/10, so it’s definitely worth preordering wherever you buy before July 30-31.

Thanks for coming to the end and as always, remember to look between the panels.