WYNONNA EARP SEASON ZERO #5 BY BEAU SMITH, TIM ROZON, ANGEL HERNANDEZ, AND JAY FOTOS Characterization Art Plot Summary Beau Smith and Tim Rozon tie up a few loose ends with some satisfying reveals we've been waiting for the entire series, while raising a whole new slew of questions. Angel Hernandez and Jay Fotos deliver some out of this world artwork and coloring to frame new characters in the most compelling light. Beau Smith and Tim Rozon tie up a few loose ends with some satisfying reveals we've been waiting for the entire series, while raising a whole new slew of questions. Angel Hernandez and Jay Fotos deliver some out of this world artwork and coloring to frame new characters in the most compelling light. 100 % Satisfying and Intriguing

WYNONNA EARP SEASON ZERO has been a wild ride. The last few issues have been a non-stop whirlwind of explosions, bullets, and fists galore. Beau Smith and Tim Rozon slow things down a bit in the concluding issue, WYNONNA EARP SEASON ZERO #5.

However, what the issue lacks in gore it more than makes up for in mystery and revelations. At last, we get to see what Wynonna’s key unlocks — what everyone has been dying for. We learn a few more scraps of information about the next big bad, The Immortalus Consortium. We also meet a brand new handful of a character, Dead Mary, too.

Two Sides of the Same Crazy, Cursed Coin

In WYNONNA EARP SEASON ZERO #5, Wynonna and Heiwa make their way to a bus station to use Wynonna’s mysterious key on one of the lockers. Inside is an old satchel, but before we can learn more, the women run into trouble in the form of an over the top, out of her mind blonde. She goes by the name Dead Mary (satire, she assures us), and not only does she give Wynonna a run for her money in a fight, but she gives her a lot to think about, too.

Dead Mary claims she’s just like Wynonna — despite being immortal and carrying out every famous assassination in history on behalf of The Immortalus Consortium. When our heroine draws Peacemaker, Dead Mary has her own glowing magic gun, Blissmaker, to prove that she’s special, too. Dead Mary wants Wynonna to team up with her because she believes that together they could be unstoppable. Where Wynonna views her power as a curse, Dead Mary only sees it as a gift.

The two-part and Dead Mary implies that there’s more to Wynonna than she knows about herself. Is Dead Mary ultimately a friend or a foe? It’s hard to say at this point, but she’s certainly interesting.

Unexpected Alliances

There are a lot of surprises in WYNONNA EARP SEASON ZERO #5. Some of them are fun, some of them are shocking, and some of them are just intriguing. I’ve already touched on the alliance between Dead Mary and the mysterious Immortalus Consortium. It’s probably safe to expect that particular alliance has crumbled with Dead Mary going off task to recruit Wynonna. Seeing how that betrayal will play out in the future should be interesting.

On the fun side, Doc and Valdez get to take a moment post-battle to bond over their bloodlust. Of course, the lust for a good fight turns in to passion for each other. A conversation between Valdez and Smitty implies that Valdez isn’t out for significant attachments, but who knows? Weirder things have happened to the Black Badge crew than casual sex turning into a genuine emotional connection.

I don’t want to give too much away, but Heiwa is undoubtedly a character to keep your eye on this issue. Her character fleshes out more, and the plot around her thickens. I’m hoping to see more from her in future series.

Artwork Out of this World

I found Angel Hernandez’ artwork and Jay Fotos’ coloring in WYNONNA EARP SEASON ZERO #5 to be especially interesting in regards to the depiction of Dead Mary. First of all, she looks cool as hell in that jacket. Second, Hernandez and Fotos do a wonderful job of making her unusual power palpable. I get a strong sense of her speed and movement. In everything she does, you can see that she’s both badass and a little off.

I like the use of shadows and silhouettes, as well as the green palette surrounding Dead Mary. At some point, she and Wynonna are transported to a little pocket-like void outside of time or the universe. It isn’t evident where precisely the women end up, but the sense of isolation and stillness is incredibly strong.

Final Thoughts on WYNONNA EARP SEASON ZERO #5

This final issue is a complete tease in every appropriate way possible. It ties up loose ends pretty well and gives me the satisfaction of finding out what’s in that secret locker. It also manages to raise a million more questions. I was so completely immersed in the new story that’s building that my heart broke when I got to the final page. Whatever series comes next in the WYNONNA EARP franchise, I’m ready for it.