This fourth limited series in the seven that make up the Seven Soldiers event is rather different from those that came before in that the title character is actually a villain, not a hero... at least, he used to be a villain. Morrison reinterprets the character's defiant nature to cast him in the role of rebellious protagonist. This story isn't about an otherdimensional world of magic. It's not about the origin of one of Etrigan the Demon's arch-nemeses. It's about the importance of independent thought, about non-conformity, about governing our leaders rather than blindly following them. The supernatural elements are icing on the cake, and they're reinforced incredibly well by the dark, moody art that employs a restrained color palette to great effect.
Klarion, a young witch boy studying to grow up to become a witch man like others in his family, dreams of what lies beyond the boundaries of his home, Limbo Town. The religious zealots government the community forbid travel beyond the town to the High Market, a place that connects with other worlds, and there is even talk of permanently closing and barring the gate. Klarion's questioning nature and curiosity lead him to make an incredible discovery, and he rushes to save his adopted father and others from certain doom.
I haven't sampled a lot of Frazer Irving's work in the past, but what I've seen, I've really liked. One effort that stands out in my memory is Fort: Prophet of the Unexplained!. Irving, like some other artists such as Tom Mandrake, for example, has a style that lends itself to the supernatural quite easily, and that made him an excellent choice for Klarion. His work here reminds me a little of Peter (Batman: Detective No. 27) Snejbjerg's work. Irving conveys a precociousness and perceptiveness through Klarion's eyes. I love the dark, glowing blue-green tones the artist uses to reinforce the supernatural quality of Limbo Town and its citizens.
Morrison will grab longtime DC fans' attention right off the bat with a novel new take on the true nature of the Solomon Grundy creature. I also enjoyed how the writer misdirects with the colonial, Puritan look of the setting and garb for the characters. Morrison also makes it easier to relate to this unusual boy with elements such as an obnoxious sibling. That and the rebelliousness of a pre-teen child are things we've all experienced.
The ultimate message here is a simple but important one: question authority. It's easy to see the leaders of Limbo Town as right-wing, Bible-thumping conservative politicians plotting out a corrupt agenda while a blind and apathetic public stands idly by. Klarion questions things he's supposed to take for granted. He acts when he's told to do nothing. I did appreciate that he's not completely alone, that his mentor actually has had a taste for different ideas and cultures. 9/10
