DC’s New 52 is all the edge! It’s dark, its grim, having abilities is a burden, and there’s no room for friends! In a world of darkness, Amethyst was a much-needed change in pace, and is quite refreshing.Amethyst, is a world of wonder, joy, sadness, and fun. Did I mention fun? I keep repeating this, because it is what appeals to me so much about this series, that it is fun. There are titles like the New 52’s Suicide Squad that are fun as well, stuff blowing up, guns, trust issues, good stuff; but this is different. I can get emotionally invested in the characters of Amethyst, and I look forward to what’s happening next. Let’s start with a brief overview of the plot, I’ll try to keep spoilers to a minimum, but you really should read this anyway.

The plot is about 16-year-old Amy, who just wants to be her own person. She’s tired of not fitting in, and having to move around a lot with her mom. She has to do strange things like take sword lessons, and isn’t good at making friends. On her birthday, her mother reveals a whole new world to her! Literally! Enter Gemworld; a mystical fantasy world ruled by magic and, you guessed it, gems. Here, Amy’s mother is the rightful ruler of House Amethyst, but her aunt, has been plotting for the throne.

There’s a lot that gets thrown back to royalty, and the different houses that make up Gemworld, which all interested me. Earth and some of Space has been covered in the pages of other series in the New 52, but Gemworld? It’s a completely new world, and the story does what you’d want it to, explore the new world. Spoilers get heavier here.

In its 10 issues, Amy has to learn all she can about Gemworld, effectively having the reader learn along with her. Amy learns of the mystical animals, the history of Gemworld, the mystery of her father, the other Houses that make up Gemworld, the plot of her aunt, and finally, learning how to use the magical power of the Amethyst. These powers are actually pretty creative, as they can do things such as create Amethyst constructs of a sword, or something like claws. The other gems also have powers. During all this, Amy has time to make friends, and refine her combat skills. She’s even pulled away by John Constantine to help out! Although a short-lived series, these 10 issues tell an arc that is a wonderful story to slowly read.

Once more, what I enjoyed about the story, is how upbeat, and bright it is. Not only in the plot, but in the dialogue, and artwork. The artwork is always beautiful and colorful, something that perhaps would turn readers away, but it works really well. I’m also a big fan of Amy being the central character, and a female, as well as how they handled it, with respect. Amy isn’t dress provocatively, or anything, she’s dressed like royalty, and for me, that adds a lot of respect for the character. She’s strong, and she can take care of herself. Strong enough Constantine asked for her help, but even with all the power (and more she obtains near the end of the story), she still has a panic attack when she kills someone for the first time. It’s moments like these that help me see the character as more of a person, than just a character to get the plot moving.

It’s not just Amy that has this, all the characters have a certain, flair to them, that make them pop, and are likeable. Even Amy’s “evil” aunt, isn’t so evil. The way their power works is, it’s shared amongst the three girls: Amy, her mother, and her aunt, so all three are at around 33% of their power. By killing, or willingly transferring one’s power, the other can obtain it. Amy’s aunt could just kill Amy, and then have more than have of the power to kill her sister, but she isn’t that evil, and would rather have Amy relinquish her powers to her. She doesn’t just try this once, she constantly is trying to get Amy to give up her powers, rather than to kill her. It’s not only interesting to see a character with emotion, but it adds to that refreshing change in pace we see all too often.

It does seem a bit strange that about halfway through the story, Constantine whisks Amy away. The next issue shows Amy in the House of Mystery, in a filler issue before the story can continue. The filler issue isn’t actually too bad, and although it doesn’t add to much to the center story overall, it does add two important factors to it: First, Amy is up against a new challenge, and unlike before, she’s all on her own, and she has to use what she has learned so far to make it through the situation, ultimately leading to a character development, and Amy as a stronger warrior, and wiser leader, while still being upbeat, mind you. And Second, we see a little more of what Constantine is really up to, finding, and trying to get rid of the Black Diamond. The story arc slowly breaks off from Amy and her aunt, and becomes more about the Black Diamond, a diamond that’s a prison to Eclipso, who will bring the fall of Gemworld.

Aside from Amy and company, there’s the interesting part of Constantine. At first, I thought he was just being a scumbag, tricking Amy, and then sending the Black Diamond off with her to Gemworld, destroying the last portal gem from Earth to Gemworld, and leaving Eclipso so take over Gemworld. However, after a closer look, I can kind of see more of Constantine’s reasoning: The Black Diamond did originate from Gemworld, and as seen in other series of the New 52 (All-Star Western, Catwoman) it has some nasty effects on humans, so Constantine was trying to rid the world of it, sadly he also has to make sure it never comes back, by cutting the final ties to Earth and Gemworld. Having fought side by side with Amy, he also can trust that she, and her friends, have what it takes to handle the threat in Gemworld. This is all my assumption however, and it could all just be Constantine being a scumbag.

What else makes this story refreshing, is that Amy enjoys all of this. That’s right, she isn’t gloomy or depressed she isn’t on Earth, and has all these powers and responsibilities, she’s happy and excited. How often do you see a teenager with powers in comics, not be angsty and sad at the situation? The only thing Amy really misses, is pizza (and t be fair…well, that speaks for itself). Amy is a fun character to follow, and I cannot express how much of a shame it is the series was canceled. In the climax, Amy and her friends are able to push Ecpliso out, and prepare for the next battle, and that’s the final issue. So if this story is as good as I make it, why didn’t it stick around?

Actually, it was part of an anthology book titled “Sword of Sorcery”, and Amethyst was to be the center stage, and the back issues included Beowulf and The Stalker. I didn’t care too much for The Stalker, (while it was tragic and quite dark)but Beowulf was interesting. It’s a strange retelling of the classic tale of Beowulf, and we later find it takes place in the far future. There really is a story here, and with the title Future’s End coming up, it makes me wonder if Beowulf will be making a return at any time. Even with this interesting tale, at the end of the day, Sword of Sorcery was too big of a risk on newer characters to spend an extra dollar on each month, and sales make the shelves.

At least Amethyst was able to finish the arc it had, and leaves it open for the future, if it ever does come. There’s also a lot of things that are hinted, and I’m guessing were being planned for the future of the series, such as House Topaz, and perhaps a new take on Dark Opal, now that would’ve been amazing. From cover to cover, this is one of my favorite series in the New 52, and if it would’ve lasted longer, I’d say one of my favorite comics, period. Not too many people are aware of this series, but hear me now: it’s amazing. If you have a chance, pick up the trade paperback, and who knows, maybe it will come back, as there have been some tiny hints here and there lately.

Spoilers for Trinity War and on Follow.

In The Trinity War event, there’s a part where Shazam touches Pandora’s Box, and magical beings everywhere can feel it, including Amy. At first, I thought this was just a tease, and that DC remembered they had it, and could use Amy. However, in the final issues of Vibe, there’s mention of Amy and Gemworld again. In the Villains Month issue of Eclipso, there’s more on Eclipso, hinting that perhaps, he’ll be back soon, and maybe Amy too. Add this to the popularity to the DC Nation’s Amethyst adaptation, and I’d say there is an audience for this series, but perhaps it’s being tested out first, as it’s been tease that Amy will be appearing in the upcoming “Into the Dark” story arc.

Spread the word of Amethyst, and if you haven’t, give it a chance, it’s quite amazing, and deserves more attention, for it’s wonderfully written dialogue, characters, and plot, done by Christy Marx (JEM and the Holograms), and beautiful artwork done by Aaron Lopresti. Check out Amethyst, as seen on Snesknight’s Spotlight.