The journey of Bettie Page and her fellow investigators have all led to a final clue in Bettie Page: The Alien Agenda #3! Issue three is written by Ani-Mia, also variant cover cosplayer, and has art by Celor. Bettie Page and her fellow investigators have traveled the world from Egypt to Greece and now Veracuz, Mexico all to find the location of an alien stockpile! The trio, Bettie, Sofia, and Young-Ja, are relaxing on beach chairs. A much needed rest after their adventures. Bettie brings up the clue, “Can you listen and follow to find what you seek”, a quest left to trust? There is a brilliant panel as the women face the setting sun with their beach chairs and umbrellas in shadow. They start off the next day, through the jungle, the map shows a path west to the Pyramid of the Sun. Bettie cuts a path with her machete while wearing a jacket, oh, tough work. Sofia notes that there is an unusual plant.
Young-Ja takes over machete duties. They reach a clearing and have to cross a fallen tree over a river. Sofia finds a stone that Bettie translates as “Continue on and trust.” It is Young-Ja who is the code breaker and knows languages. In a splash page, we see the three explorers who have reached a waterfall, very serene. They take a break, Young-Ja has the only pack and takes out drinks and snacks. Sofia thinks that the aliens are peaceful. Bettie says her dream in Egypt is leading them. Young-Ja brings out some tres leches, a cake made with evaporated milk, condensed milk, and cream, for dessert. They have been on the jungle trek for hours, need boots, when they reach a chasm. It is crossed with boards that are suspended without any rope! I’m getting Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade vibes, “only a leap from the lion’s head, shall he prove his worth.”
Together, they walk across this “bridge”, it is shown in close-up, but it would have nice to see the feet on the planks. They reach the half-way point, but the planks suddenly head downwards! Bettie says they should jump and they leap together. It turns black and then we have the iris of a sky. Bettie has wakened on some grass and finds the others. They are unharmed and somehow survived a fall down a bottomless chasm. The opening to another world like Land of the Lost? Bettie sees overhead, they see a giant eagle, a creature of legend like the Thunderbird?, see a lizard that is unusual to Sofia, and also a flower that has the smell of chocolate. Sofia says it is the extinct Chocolate Cosmos, native to Mexico. Then, they are startled by eyes in the foliage!
There is a trio of Aztec(?) warriors, one with a jaguar outfit and two others with headdresses and spears. They protect the temple and are somehow understood by Bettie and friends. The leader in an eagle headdress gives them the choice to fight or “go back in peace.” Bettie knows this is another test and they end with an escort to the temple. Through the trees, they finally reach the Pyramid of the Sun, shaped like a mound with several stepped platforms with stairs. The leader says they will have a feast and at night, all of the people are on tables having a meal. Sofia wonders where they are and the leader answers that their city is separate from the rest of the world. This was done by their “friends from the stars.” The Aztecs had 25 million people in the 15th century and then suddenly there was just one million. This gives an interesting explanation to their “disappearance.”
The leader goes back to the pledge they made and they have lived in peace, but have to protect the temple. He says that it, the stockpile, was moved somewhere safe. The Aztec leader leads them to the temple and lights torches to an interior room. This illuminates a stunning, red tapestry of an Aztec man next to an alien, figures of animals, and crops. In the center is is a pillar with branches spreading out like a tree. The leader says that is the only clue they need. Young-Ja has the answer, breaks the fourth wall, and poses to the reader if you have figured it out. Not yet for me! It seems that trios play into the story. The pillar must be the stockpile. I keep thinking though somehow that this will lead back to the beginning and there are circular images. The flying saucer at Area 51? Dimensional transcendentalism like the TARDIS?, unlocked by Bettie and friends? An adventure filled with mystery, ancient secrets, and Bettie Page!
Five Flying Saucers out of Five!
#BettiePageTheAlienAgenda, #AniMia, #Celor, #BettiePage, #Sofia, #YoungJa, #PyramidOfTheSun, #VeracruzMexico
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