Reading this last issue, it’s like Willingham wanted to write himself into a corner so no one would ask for another Thessaly series. He just stops the series, sort of admitting defeat (or disinterest) on the last page. I suppose he foreshadows the ending earlier, when he’s got Thessaly freeing all her minions. These are interesting characters—at least, amusing ones for a few pages—and Willingham is only showing us the end of them.

Maybe the Sandman spinoffs were winding down and they didn’t think anyone would want another series. Given the way he handles this one, it’s a fair assumption, but the McManus artwork still creates a lot of good will for the series.

And isn’t as though Willingham’s writing, on scene level, is bad. His dialogue is good, his plotting is just a disaster.

Successful limited series often have this type of disinterested sequel. It’s very unfortunate.

Okay, I clearly don’t have a clue what Willingham is going for here.

The entire story is flashback, but framed by Thessaly telling Fetch her adventures while away from him. She was gone for six years (it seemed like a week to him) researching how she might slay the monster he’s inadvertently sicced on them.

One might say it’s another opportunity for some lovely McManus art… but this issue really is just talking heads. There’s some stuff during the quest flashbacks, but it’s small and not particularly visual.

After this issue, I think it’s pretty clear Willingham wishes he was writing something else. He throws in a bunch of Sandman characters (I think). Maybe it’s not wishing he was writing something else, but nothing at all… this issue feels like a contractual obligation.

It’s competently written, but the charm’s absent.

While McManus makes it worthwhile, he can’t make it good.

Willingham and McManus do a lovely talking heads issue. It’s not entirely talking heads—McManus has a very complex two page spread, something he excels at—but it’s mostly a talking heads issue.

What’s so strange about the issue is how little Willingham cares about presenting a big narrative, or even the impression of one. A lot of it is Thessaly and Fetch (her would be paramour) in a house; she’s pulling skeletons from him and questioning him. It’s all beautiful because of the McManus art, but it’s also very difficult to discuss….

Nothing really happens. There’s a conversation setting up the next issue—maybe Willingham agreed to four issues but only had enough story for three and knew the readers wouldn’t complain so long as it looked fantastic.

There are three scenes in the entire issue. Willingham writes them well, but it’s still only three.

But the issue works.

Willingham is in very comfortable territory with this issue. It sort of resembles the first series, but with the charm factor increased. It doesn’t hurt the issue is set in Italy and McManus is fabulous at drawing scenery so the whole issue is lovely.

And Willingham does come up with a good story for the issue, though it doesn’t really explain what the next three issues will be about. It’s a somewhat direct sequel, with Thessaly’s admirer returning to her life. Willingham takes it further than just keeping the same cast as the first series, he also treats this issue as a direct continuation of small events mentioned. It’s great for the familiar reader and probably slightly confusing for anyone just picking up this issue.

There are some great lines—a lot of it is talking heads—and the tone’s welcoming.

It’s a fun first issue, but not earth-shattering.