Comics Review: Steven Universe #13

Is this unlucky #13?

Overview (Possible Spoilers Below)

The comic begins as Peridot wants to spend quality time with Lapis, much to her apprehension as she just wants to be left alone, but out of happenstance, Steven walks in as Lapis flies away from leaving Peridot out of frustration. After hearing Peridot’s side of the story, Steven assures her that he’ll find out what’s bothering Lapis this time. Later after finding Lapis, she confides to him that she the earth’s fragility and fearing the possibility of it being Violated by Gem Homeworld, but Steven, of course, believes as long as the Gems are around, he doesn’t think that could ever happen and offers to take Lapis to “Funland” to help her unwind.

While a good portion of this issue is devoted to Steven’s well-intentioned attempt at helping Lapis have fun, Lapis is only left more terrified at the thought of losing everything as for once, she feels right at home on earth and doesn’t believe that earth will be safe for long as she’s too fixated on the idea of a possible doomed future. While pressing the matter of how terrified she feels to Steven on a Ferris Wheel, Steven falls over trying to reach Lapis but ends up being caught by Garnet who was briefly shown earlier in the story. Garnet gets the point across to Lapis that while she may have the Precog powers of a Sapphire, it doesn’t mean she can fully see the future, but only possible outcomes she can act upon with her best judgment and that what you do in the present (thoughts, actions or otherwise) can affect the future as well. The comic ends when Steven tells Peridot that Lapis is sitting on the roof and they rationally talk things out with the promise to be “better roommates” to one another.

Our Take

While the writing remains consistent with Grace Kraft, we get a new artist expertly replicating the show’s art style this time with Kat Hayashida. Compared to the previous issues I’ve covered, Hayashida’s art style in this one feels even closer to the show. Given that Lapis is a PTSD-addled individual, the story feels thematically relevant to what Lapis is going through as we all fear a bad future for the people in our lives, and even ourselves.

It’s good to be aware of possible dangers, but we can’t let the mere thoughts of said dangers make us so paranoid to the point that we miss out on the beauty & joys of the present. To quote one of my mentors, “be prepared for the worst, but hope for the best”.