Sai: Dimensional Rivals #4: Cosmic Donuts, Symbiote Waters, and Celestial Dreams

Sai’s multi-dimensional journey is nearing it’s end, but there are plenty of worlds left for her to search for the seventh stone. Worlds governed by a cosmic donut, worlds flooded with symbiote rivers, and worlds controlled by a reality-warping witch. It’s going to be a long day.

The thing about anthology books is that they are only as good as the sum of their individual parts. Sections can stand out, but if things are too lopsided on one end then the entire ship collapses. Thankfully Dimensional Rivals has managed to sidestep that pitfall thus far, even if Sai’s characterization at times is a bit lacking.

Starting things off, Jim Mahfood and Mike Spicer tell a more comedic tale of Sai encountering the physical manifestation of doubt, but her battle is derailed and she must endure a trial given by the mysterious, yet delicious “Sacred Space Donut” where her determination and focus wins the day instead of her battle prowess. This first section is the best of the three with Mahfoods whimsically chaotic pencils being highlighted by Spicer’s soft colors. I felt I was seeing something from a Genndy Tarkosky cartoon, most notably Samurai Jack, or even like his limited CAGE comic series for Marvel some time ago.

After a brief check in on Galackto, courtesy of Peach Momoko, Giuseppe Camuncoli and Morry Hollowell step in and transport Sai to a version of Venice that has been overrun by symbiotes, this is the lightest in terms of overall narrative importance, but pencils from Camuncoli are always welcome and Hollowell’s colors help brighten the the brief jaunt into a fun one.

Finally, Phil Noto adds his legendary flair for the last section, placing Sai in the middle of a fight against a highly cunning witch. Like the previous section it’s fairly light on narrative complexity, but it’s Phil Noto so that can more than be forgiven when he is giving his all in the little page time he has.