I'm not entirely sure what the marketing goal of the DemonWars comics are. Is it a cross-promotion thing to bring comics readers to Salvatore's books? Or a chance to do fantasy without the sigils and shared universe found in other Crossgen books? Whatever it is, it's probably working, because Scott Ciencin's exploration of Salvatore's world is making me more and more curious about the novels from which it sprung, but it is also perfectly readable as standalone fantasy, with a few of the stock stereotypes (a barbarian, a greedy dwarf, a sexy rogueish type) and a little bit of spice in the form of an Arabian flavor. Throw in some eye-popping artwork by Crossgen find Greg Tocchini, inks by veteran Andrew Pepoy and the always-impressive Crossgen colors and you've got a fine fantasy read.
Fantasy is not my favorite genre, to be honest. I've played my share (okay, more than my share) of Dungeons & Dragons and read my share of good and bad fantasy as a result, but I'd much rather delve into super-heroes, espionage, crime or science-fiction in general. However, there are aspects of fantasy I enjoy, and Ciencin has somehow landed his story on most of them. Big epic armies massing at the gates of mysterious fortresses? Check. Exotic locales? Check. Fancy swordwork? Check. And a plot that features a little bit of intrigue but doesn't lose itself in deeply complex politics? Check.
Eye for an Eye steers just the right side of complex for what I'm looking for in a fantasy book. There are shifting alliances and things going on behind the scenes, including demonic mind-control, political strife within the religious order that rules the region and the questionable loyalties of assassin Ketsuo and spy Sagara. Despite these complications, though, the story is straightforward enough to enjoy, and Ciencin wisely doesn't lose himself in the potentially dull political struggles, instead displaying them in the midst of the aforementioned massed armies, fancy swordwork and exotic locales.
It is Tocchini, Pepoy and Ehrlich who make this action so exciting to read. The double-page splash of torch- and sword-wielding warriors on horseback, ready to lay siege, is an impressive opener for the issue. The ghostly appearance of the demon djinn throwing the mighty ranger Andacanavar around like a rag doll serves notice as to the level of power he represents. And, as with the first issue, some of the best choreography goes to the acrobatic martial artist Ketsuo, whose brief fight scene in this issue carries a lot of energy and again gives Ketsuo the appearance of being nimble and lighter-than-air, in the best traditions of Hong Kong cinema.
DemonWars is one of the rare examples of a successful transition of a property from one media into another. Though I haven't read the books to make a complete quality comparison, the creative team seems to have nailed the middle-of-the-road fantasy feel that Salvatore pulled off so effectively in his Dungeons & Dragons novels, and the stories and glimpses of the world in these comics has me interested in seeing more.
