by Don MacPherson

AGE OF BRONZE #13 & AGE OF BRONZE--BEHIND THE SCENES #1 Recommended (8/10) Image Comics Writer/Artist: Eric Shanower Price: $3.50 US/$5.50 CAN each Shanower impresses once again, and he does so on a number of levels. His soft, realistic artwork, meticulous research and remarkable level of accessibility make for a thoroughly satisfying read. History and myth collide in this unique series. Shanower has chosen some challenging subject matter. This book could easily have been a stilted, yawn-inducing series, but there's a sense of fun, adventure and intelligence to it instead. The Achaean forces find themselves on the shores of Mysia, having mistaken it for Troy. They've decimated hundreds of one another's soldiers, and now, their mistake revealed, the Achaeans are at a loss as to what to do to prevent a war. A familial connection with the king of the Mysians offers the chance at peace, though, and a handful of representatives approach the wounded and widowed king, hoping the common blood they share can overcome the blood they've spilled -- however inadvertent -- on the battlefield. There are more beards, tunics, sandals and headbands than you shake a stick at in Age of Bronze #13, but somehow, Shanower manages to maintain a clarity in the visuals with seeming ease. The artist captures a common style among these warriors, but he also manages to differentiate among them just enough so that it's easy to follow the characters. He brings their humanity -- and therefore, the reality of this story -- to life with his realistic approach, and his gentle linework is thoroughly pleasing to the eye. Shanower's script is a wordy one, but somehow, the plentiful dialogue never seems to intrude too much into the art. An accidental war is an awfully far-fetched idea, but based on the characters' reactions here, it works. And it's not the original source material that does it... Shanower makes it work. The dialogue captures the classic tone of the circumstances and characters, but it flows smoothly and plausibly. The varied reactions brings a sense of reality to this almost surreal material. A lot of publishers release profile handbooks, from DC's Secret Files line to Devil's Due's G.I.Joe Battle Files. The editors and creators helming those books should take heedof Shanower's example here. He not only fills us in on the players in this little drama, but he takes us into his head, into the process involved in crafting the book. Instead of spotlighting the characters, he spotlights the creative act itself. It makes for a far more interesting read. Note: These comic books were not among this week's new releases. Email Don MacPherson comments about this review, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board.