I absolutely love the direction in which this title has been headed for the past couple of months. Kesel has created an intriguing parallel between Sephie and the now-missing Ilahn, and the former's sorrow over a lost love is powerful and believable. The title has become even more political as well. Unfortunately, some one-dimensional characterization and the fill-in art made for a slightly weaker than usual issue.
Sephie's show of strength before the councillors of Cadador and its army aren't enough to bring them entirely in line. The council has found the perfect way to distract Cadador's new, inexperienced minister: they demand she name and a regent and get to work on marriage and the production of an heir. Sephie's not ready to deal with matters of the heart yet, not so soon after the loss of her one true love, Jad. But her innate sense of repsonsibility tells her she must. Meanwhile, a couple of individuals scurry through Cadador, planning to make life for Sephie difficult.
Brigman has done a solid job of filling in for regular penciller Steve McNiven. While Brigman's work here reminds of Colleen (A Distant Soil) Doran's and Mike (Fantastic Four) Wieringo's, a consistent visual tone has been maintained, though some of the credit, I would imagine, should go to Simmons, the regular inker. Mind you, Brigman's depiction of Sephie is somewhat inconsistent, and I don't care for the cartoony designs of the Cadadorian councillors.
Speaking of which, Kesel's characterization of the councillors as one-dimensional snobs and manipulative businesspeople isn't appealing either. Surely in all of Cadador, there must be a single decent person; an entire country of nasty people is too big a pill to swallow. I think it would be far more interesting if there was a moderate amid the council, someone who sees the value in a change of leadership and policy, even if s/he didn't completely agree with it.
Mind you, that political aspect is fascinating. Meridian has suddenly taken on the complexity and intelligence comparable to Priest's first 49 issues of Black Panther. Sephie has grown into much more than just a competent leader and politician. She's decisive and almost ruthelessly effective at times, but she hasn't lost her innocence and dedication to responsibility.
By far the most interesting aspect of the book at this point, though, is how Sephie has essentially done to Cadador what Ilahn did to Meridian. She has usurped power, bullied her way in. While Sephie's actions haven't been as cold-hearted as her uncle's, I find it interesting that she's blind to the hazy ethical position she's taken.
