Sorry for the wait, everyone!  College applications and magazine interviews can really get in the way.  Just today, I finally had the chance to read one of my favorite comics, Madame Xanadu, hope you enjoy!

Previously in Madame Xanadu: Fast-forward to France’s late 1700s.  Heirs to the throne are young Marie Antoinette and her husband Louis XVI.  Having befriended Nimue, now known as Le Madame de Xanadu, Marie Antoinette relies on Xanadu for her divinations.  Shortly after befriending Marie, Xanadu vows to never again interfere in matters of state, and leaves her court.  But before leaving, Xanadu warns Marie of the coming French Revolution.  Although saddened by her departure, Marie expresses her thanks, but pays no heed to her warnings: a vital mistake.

Upon leaving, Xanadu reunites with Phantom Stranger during the brink of the revolution. Stranger makes clear that nothing can be done to alter the fate of the monarchy.  Instead, he suggests that, perhaps, a time of peace and unity will come after times of hardships have passed – a time that will not come for another ten years.  With that, Stranger departs and leaves Xanadu alone again.

Freeing herself from the pain and guilt, Xanadu moves to Provence, in the southeastern part of France. But after finding out that the royal family have been arrested and tried for treason, Xanadu finds her guilt overwhelming.  Four years pass when Xanadu finally leaves the peaceful countryside for Paris.

With the help of her witchcraft, Xanadu makes her way through the chambers until she finds Marie, a woman strained of her youth after four years of torment.  Phantom Stranger soon reappears and explains to Xanadu that she should have paid heed to his words and not involved herself in these affairs.  Marie, unable to see Stranger, suspects Xanadu of necromancy and calls for the guards to take her away.  They attack her, take away all of her belongings and imprison her within the chambers.

**Spoilers after the break**

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Madame Xanadu #5 Cover

Previously in Madame Xanadu:

After saving Kublai Khan’s favored consort from assassins, Marco Polo and Nimue are awarded for their bravery. Marco Polo accepts an emerald lantern from the Khan’s grand chest, a descendent of the Green Lantern lamps. Upon receiving the artifact, Phantom Stranger escapes the prison. He reunites with Nimue and they share an emotional moment together, until Khan’s guards find him. Aware that she is now as much a criminal, Nimue and Phantom Stranger flee to the outskirts of town. However, as an agent of fate, Phantom Stranger abandons Nimue in the desert to fend for herself.

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