Graphic Novelty²

The magic is disappearing from a world which cities float in the sky, populated by anthropomorphic animals. In the city of Keneil, a conclave of wizards gather in a last-ditch attempt to restore their world. They call a Champion from another world, hoping for a savior to restore order. The magic they use to call the Champion is too great, causing the city to fall crashing to the Plains below. The survivors, haunted and hunted by the creatures of the ground, try to salvage what’s left of their homes and families. And their Champion… is not at all what they imagined. Can he really save them?

I. Am in LOVE. With the art of this book. It’s colorful and richly detailed. Each issue starts with a chapter title page, each featuring a two-page spread of a painting opening the chapter, and a few introductory paragraphs. These remind me of old fantasy novels you buy on impulse at the drugstore checkout counter, except not nearly as cheesy. There are multiple animal tribes that are shown and drawn, and they’re all wonderfully expressive and emotive as humans would be. There are a few battle scenes with tons of blood and a few of nudity (not sexual), so I got a little queasy, but not too much. I’m more than interested enough in the world to keep going.

I’m mad there isn’t a second volume yet. Oh well, I suppose I can wait… for now =P

– Kathleen