FIRST SIGHTINGS:  Kismet

IN JOKES:
Look closely over the door and see 'The Fox' & 'The Pharoah' - page 5, frame 1
Kiss 'S' - page 7, frame 1
Elder - page 8, frame 2
Spawn logo - page 10, frame 5

BRIEF STORY SYNOPSIS (IMAGE):
A depressed Kismet ponders her troubled life and puzzles over her recurring dream. She stumbles upon references to the Four-Who-Are-One figures in an old book and recognizes their symbols as the ones from her dreams. Later, when she goes to see the traveling circus in town, Kismet is drawn to a tent where she is confronted by her bad memories of her past. She decides to face her past promises and steps towards a large doorway to another room where The Ringmaster startles her entrance.

SPACEBASS SAYS:
    Smoke and Mirrors is a three part arc (issues 4, 5, 6) that introduces the concept of the "Four-Who-Are-One" also known as The Elder, or The Old Ones. The earliest references of the "Four-Who-Are-One" are from mid-13th century Europe.
    I really like the character Kismet, and I was glad to find out that Smoke and Mirrors was going to be a three part story. A quote from this issue: "None are so blind as he who will not see" sums up the story quite well. As we learn about Kismet, we begin to suspect certain things about her, but we're not quite sure if they are true. Once again, we have to wait until the end of the story.

FIRST SIGHTINGS:
None. (But, Fortunado, Blackwell, Tiberius & Stargrave are officially named)

IN JOKES:
Kiss 'S' - page 1, frame 1
Lost in Limbo - page 13, frame 1

BRIEF STORY SYNOPSIS (IMAGE):
While Fortunado tries to help Kismet with her confusion, Blackwell becomes angry and banishes her from the secret room. As Kismet stumbles away, she finds the torn page from the library in her pocket and again sees visions of the "Four-Who-Are-One". Bewildered and dizzy, she then finds her way into a hall of mirrors that reflect her disturbing visions and lonely childhood. When the images overwhelm her, Kismet goes into a rage and shatters the tormenting mirrors and her tenuous hold on reality fragments.

SPACEBASS SAYS:
    This issue contains part one of an interview with penciller Angel Medina.
    You've gotta love the raven turning the page along with the dialogue on page one. The story continues to unravel: "Petal by petal, secret by secret. Memory by memory." I suspect this is how all of the stories will unravel, especially the larger story that advances bit by bit with each issue. The one question that comes up in my mind is: what would have happened if Kismet had chosen the eezee way out in the maze to amaze? Guess that wasn't her fate...

 

FIRST SIGHTINGS:
Lady Ravenna

IN JOKES:
Faces on box - page 1, frame 2
God of Thunder - page 8, frame 5
The Elder - page 8, frame 6
Creatures of the Night, Dark Light - page 9, frame 2
Betrayed - page 17, frame 2
Coming Home - page 20, frame 1
Welcome to the Show, Kismet in Love Gun makeup - page 22, frame 4
Otaku is on a shirt in homage to the website - page 22, frame 3 (Maybe someday Spacebass! 8')

BRIEF STORY SYNOPSIS (SPACEBASS):
    Insight into the very beginnings of the circus are revealed through Kismet's eyes. Some of Madame Raven's backstory is revealed. A new member joins the Circus, much to the dismay of Blackwell.

SPACEBASS SAYS:
    This issue contains part two of an interview with penciller Angel Medina.
    The last part of the Smoke and Mirrors story focuses on dying for a purpose. Many questions about the origin of the circus are answered.

We work long & hard on many of the pictures found on this site. Please do us a favor: don't
rationalize stealing ANYTHING. If you can't create an original web site, don't do one!
Real simple, right? Anyway, if you do, I'll let my boys Nicky & Mickey pay you a visit. I may
even go as far as getting the Nightmare King to resurrect Deuce! This could get ugly...
-KISS PSYCHO CIRCUS by SPACEBASS (hey, good idea for an issue...)