Shoto Press is back, and this time they delve into the epic alternate history of the son of Alexander the Great.
Randy:
A couple weeks back, Don and I reviewed some unusual new graphic novella offerings from Shoto Press, stories of ghosts and ghouls with an Indonesian flavor. I think we were both taken by them, but I'm even more impressed with their full-color (and enormous) production The Golden Vine, which puts me in mind of such epics as Age of Bronze and 300.
Don:
To be honest, we meant to share our thoughts on this book earlier, but this is a remarkably dense and ambitious project. Epic and mythical storytelling unfolds in this unique vision of ancient history. The creators are to be commended for their dedication in bringing challenging material to life with some truly inventive and remarkable artwork.
The Golden Vine
written by Jai Sen
illustrated by Seijuro Mizu, Umeka Asayuki & Shino Yotsumoto
Don:
Alexander IV, the son of Alexander the Great, is summoned to the side of the dying father he never knew. The time has come for the young man to take over as ruler of the empire built by his legendary father, but before he can do that, he must first come to know the great man through his writings and the recollections of the emperor's most trusted -- and beloved -- friend.
Randy:
Though Golden Vine is hyped on the back cover as a daring "alternate" history, it's clear that these creators haven't skimped on the research. Either that, or they've got me totally snowed, because the attention to the cultures of the world during Alexander's time are absolutely detailed and fascinating, with each place he visits being given its own flavor. One really gets the sense that Alexander the Great, at least in this timeline, had a monumental task in uniting all of these disparate cultures into one empire without losing their backing because of cultural insensitivity.
Don:
The back cover also proclaims the publisher's tagline to be "Read deeper. Read Shoto Press." It couldn't be more fitting. On the surface, the subject material might seem far too lofty, the prose too purple. It's difficult to relate to the structure of this ancient and warring society. But Alexander the Great's relationship with Hephaestion brings humanity to the storytelling. Alexander's confidence is admirable, but it's easy to relate to Hephaestion's fear and awe.
Randy:
What really struck me about The Golden Vine is how ambitious the story is, and how well Sen manages to live up to that ambitious story. While the central tale centers around three main characters (Alexander, Hephaestion and Alexander's son), it has a scope that is literally worldwide, and which spans three dynasties: one that was, one that we see shaped, and one that we're left to imagine the future of. Sen's story can become a little confusing when he shifts into the past narration mode, showing Alexander as a child, and then back to the modern day, where he has just died, but considering the size of the cast and the story, he does an admirable job of keeping the reader grounded.
Don:
I've used the term, and now, so has Randy. "Ambitious." It's The Golden Vine's greatest strength, but there are moments when it's something of a liability (though honestly, that's too strong a term). There are a lot of characters at play here, and it's not just the physical setting that's diverse. The story elapses over a lifetime, and occasionally, it can get a bit dizzying. But for the most part, the sheer size and depth of this piece of historical fiction is fascinating. In other words, the strength of the creators' ambition more than outweighs the overwhelming aspects.
Randy:
I was absolutely enthralled by this story, and though I can't say I couldn't put it down (it's a lot of book to read in one sitting), I can say that I ploughed through it pretty fast, each page compelling me to flip to the next one. Palace intrigue, cultural snobbery, political difficulties, battles and family interaction, not to mention plenty of historical detail, are all to be found in the pages of The Golden Vine. Jai Sen presents Alexander as an almost idealized ruler, understanding of cultural differences and almost free of his own prejudices, rising above even such notable intellectuals as Aristotle in his anachronistic goal to present a free, equal society for everyone on the planet. At times, it's a little utopian, too good to be true, but because this is a story of Alexander's legacy, it's easy to overlook his general lack of human flaws and accept him as a divine hero, one who rises above the rest of us.
Don:
Make no mistake... this is no light read. Sen challenges his readers with his deliberate pacing and abundance of historical and cultural detail. Sen makes Alan Moore -- notorious for his lengthy and meticulous scripts -- seem lazy.
Randy:
The artwork on The Golden Vine is created by a handful of artists, and they all do spectacular work. Beautiful attention to detail in clothing and backgrounds is to be found here, and though the work is not as detailed and meticulous as other artists in this vein, such as Eric Shanower or Frank Miller, it's certainly beautiful to look at. I'm reminded of the work of Udon Studios, as the book definitely has a manga/anime influence, and the color work is also of top-notch quality. As with Shoto Press's previous efforts, this one uses metallic ink, and the shiny appearance of some of it is a highlight that makes the artwork pop off the page.
Don:
The three artists hail from Tokyo, so it's no surprise -- but a bit unusual -- that this tale of Greek history and legend is rendered in a manga style. Manga doesn't often sit well with me. It's often busy, relying on speed lines and exaggeration to keep the eye occupied. Such is not hte case here. The artwork is clean and clear, with an eye for detail and a rejection of shortcuts. The manga style captures the youth of the characters quite well, and that's important, given that this is really an unconventional and multifaceted coming-of-age story.
What really grabs the reader's attention, though, are the vibrant colors. They bring texture and life to the visuals. Furthermore, as was the case with the other Shoto books we've read, a metallic ink -- a golden-bronze hue, this time, as opposed to silver -- adds energy and magic to the visuals. It's something one doesn't normally see in comics aside from occasional use for cover logos.
Randy:
The Golden Vine is an epic, amazing journey that speaks to a great deal of commitment and talent from the folks at Shoto Press. Set aside $25 and a few hours and lose yourself in a well-considered, beautiful alternate take on history.
For more information on Shoto Press, visit the website at
