Though the story of Age of Bronze is full of tragedy, the aptly named "Sacrifice" arc seems to be especially harsh on the characters. Even the finding of new love and a brief respite from war, both of which should be happy occasions, make for terrible consequences on those involved. Like many of the Age of Bronze issues, this one has a large cast, but with the help of the "Behind the Scenes" issue as well as growing familiarity of the characters, I found I had little difficulty in keeping up.
I'm constantly impressed that Shanower is managing the difficult balancing act of pacing the story for the long haul while still making sure that something happens in every issue. This series reads well in trades, but it also reads well issue-by-issue. There are plenty of developments in this issue in particular, including a big change for Achilles and some foreshadowing of the conflicts between Agamemnon and Palamedes.
Shanower has always played Achilles as one of the central characters of Age of Bronze, and in some ways he is the main character of the story, or at least the one we've spent the most time with. Despite that, he's not always the most likable of characters, as he can be very callous and selfish, and this issue is a good example of that. Given the passion of Achilles's affair when it began, earlier in the series, it's somewhat shocking to see it end so quickly and carelessly, and it changes the tone of the new relationship that he begins in this issue.
Though Age of Bronze is set in a historical time that is not easy to relate to, Shanower makes it easy enough to read with his attention to anatomy and clothing. The impressively sized cast is kept manageable by distinctive face designs and clothing, and Shanower also has incredibly strong work on anatomy, not shying away from nudity when necessary. In addition, the level of expression that his characters are capable of really makes the anger or sadness of the story clear, including during an impressive silent sequence between Deidama and Achilles in this issue.
Age of Bronze remains a unique book in the industry, both in terms of the subject matter it tackles and the way that the creator handles it. It is ideal for fans seeking a Greek history lesson as well as those seeking a good fantasy epic.
