This is second graphic novel released in cooperation between Chris Claremont and John Bolton (first one being Marada, The She-Wolf).

Story wise this is rather mature story - don't get me wrong, there are mythical beings here, magic, evil sorcerers, good sorcerers but the very way story develops, decisions made by our heroes and the very end [all evil deeds need to be punished in this or that way] are something that you would not find commonly today in epic fantasy stories. Either there would be a happy ending through and through or everyone would be killed off.

I wont go into story details much to avoid spoilers but in short we follow the exiled knight as he travels home [after years and years spent all over the world, from Europe to Japan] only to enter the strange and weird world of magic and find out he is to play pivotal role in preserving the very soul of his country - in both our physical plane and in the world of magical beings. In terms of the story this novel precedes the Hellboy instead Hell and the Lovecraftian horrors that meddle with the affairs of the mortal's world, here main protagonists [and antagonists] are men and women with physical-world (as we know it) and magical world heritage - and readers will find lots of common elements between these two universes (after all they are both based on folk stories).

Art is beautiful. As one reviewer already said it is reminiscent of Hal Foster's works (Prince Valiant, The Medieval Castle). Just look at the sword-fighting panels or details of the panorama shots of castles and great halls. Pure joy for the eyes.

Together with the Marada this is one of the most beautiful graphical novels I came across in a while (I think last book that left impression on me like these two was Blacksad couple of years back).

Highly recommended to all fans of fantasy, mythology, hero tragedies and extremely beautiful art. ( )

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