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It’s time for a new adventure for Xena and Gabrielle, but when they attempt to rescue a child in danger they find a group of kids playing at heroes and villains. Upon noticing that some are dressed as Xena and Gabby the heroic ladies learn an even more amusing truth – the kids are attending Xena Fest!

This issue by Erica Schultz is like a Renaissance Faire combined with a comic convention focused on Xena. There are dozens of cosplayers, and booths with food, apparel, weapons, even knickknacks all about the Warrior Princess. Xena searches for whoever is running the event, which she does not approve of, and finds a familiar face from her past.

Artist Vicente Cifuentes and colorist Periya Pillai made this a fun issue. Their detail on the Xena Fest surroundings and the variety of ladies dressed as Xena and Gabby, along with the ladies’ reactions to the fest are quite amusing.

The new arc begins with an funny tale, but fear not, there’s action, magic, and villainy in the future!

-Amanda Sheriff