QUEST KIDS AND THE MYSTERY OF THE GOBLIN GAZEBO

The Quest Kids square off against megalomaniacal arena rocker Doug in a climactic battle of the bands.

The creative sparks that animated the previous episodes are thin on the ground in this trilogy closer. Ned suddenly wakes up after spending a year in a coma, just as Doug is about to assault the last unconquered kingdom on his Dark Prophecy World Domination Tour with a shape-shifting subdemon and a legion of undead-head music fans. After bringing Ned (and readers) up to speed with a prologue that’s part prose and part comics plus a review chapter, Leiknes sends his motley quintet on their way. They’re in search of a weapon, a counter-prophecy, or maybe an Elvish spell, hidden behind a wall of ensorcelled slime in Dunglemire, a land of laid-back Humavians, or chicken people. Several gooey misadventures and much hand-wringing later, Ned and friends at last disarm the dastardly guitar shredder with major help from a wizard and two friendly monsters who appeared in previous episodes (though even careful readers may overlook the crucial but inconspicuous trio of wordless panels that record the actual deed). The plotlines then resolve like items on a checklist, neatly wrapping up loose ends, reintroducing absent characters for glad reunions, and splitting up the diversely hued (and speciated) Quest Kids in a tearful adieu.

A frisky frolic that closes out running on fumes.