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SLEEPING DRAGONS #4
Recommended (8/10)
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Amaze Ink/Slave Labor Graphics
Writer: Kevin Mason
Artist: Alex Szewczuk
Inks: Craig Taillefer
Price: $2.95 US |
While I'm looking forward to the Lord of the Rings and I grew up on a steady diet of Dungeons & Dragons and fantasy novels, I don't consider myself much of a fantasy fan these days, and that extends to comics as well. However, there are exceptions to this general rule, and Sleeping Dragons is one of them. It sits alongside Castle Waiting, Bone and Amy Unbounded as fantasy titles that overcome my general
disinterest in the genre and make me eagerly await each next issue.
The past three issues have been largely an
introduction to our cast and setting, introducing not only the notion of the
Crough (read: vampire) invaders who were driven back, the noble Meggido knights
who watch for their return, and the city of Gan which sits on the border of
Crough territory. Mason and Szewczuk told the tale through a play, which
transformed into a flashback, and let the readers in on the whole story in fine
epic fashion. In addition, the story has contained a more human story, that of a
romance between nomadic knight Philip and Becca, an archer and daughter of the
ruler of Gan. This issue, both stories move forward considerably, and though I'm
more interested in the story of Becca and Philip, I must admit that the battle
that closes out the issue has me intrigued to see more of the Crough and their
leader.
Just as with crime or horror comics, fantasy comics require a certain style from the artist, the ability to depict a place that is primitive and yet somehow magical, and Szewczuk has that. He actually depicts the world of Sleeping Dragons as fairly
modern in terms of hairstyles and keeps the clothing simple, making it easy to
relate to these characters. And a lot of the strength of his artwork is to be
found in expressive body languages and facial expressions, which is important
given that so much of the story hinges on Philip or Becca and how they react to
situations. However, Szewczuk's modern touches fall away when you look at the
simple but effective design of the city of Gan or his depiction of a medieval
fair, or especially the exciting action scene that finds archers and a lone
knight defending the city from otherworldly invaders.
In terms of the story itself, my favorite
moments are those that explore Philip or Becca. Philip is not your typical
knight, seeming more casual and friendly than the honorable or haughty knights
of most fantasy fiction, until he is forced into action, at which time his
profession reveals itself. Still, Philip is a young knight, and his youth makes
for some excellent scenes between him and Becca, as the two consider a future
that leaves plenty of time for both of them. The speed of their courtship could
easily have seemed unbelievable, but Mason established an attraction right from
the start and has built their relationship out of nice moments and slow growth.
My only complaint would be when the story
switches toward the end into the same vocal style of the play, complete with
rhyming and omniscient narration. While it was obvious that Mason was continuing
the style of storytelling we were used to when the Crough were involved and sort
of moving the story back into epic mode, I would have been more interested to
see Philip's human side as he revealed his knightly professionalism. Of course,
it's possible that I just react badly to one of the few signs of standard
fantasy in this book, that of flowery language where more standard language
would have sufficed. At any rate, it's a minor blemish on an excellent
book.
Email Randy Lander comments about this review. |
