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The
Pull-Box:
ShotgunReviews.com's Ongoing Comics Column
01.21.03
by Troy Brownfield
I'm taking my time
in this installment to cover two of the stellar "Lodoss
War" graphic novels from Central Park Media.
Loading
Up on "Lodoss":
Record
of Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight Vol. 1
Writer: Ryo Mizuno Artist: Masato Natsumoto
Record
of Lodoss War: The Lady of Pharis Vol. 1
Writer: Ryo Mizuno Artist: Akihiro Yamada
Rating
for both: 
More info: www.centralparkmedia.com
Flipping
as I did over the original "Record of Lodoss War" anime, I'm
pleased to have had the chance to review some of the manga
extensions of the original story. "Lodoss" is the cursed island,
torn by war and conflict and inhabited by knights, elves,
dwarves, wizards and monsters. Within this fantastic crucible
of fate, heroes and villains are forged. The "Lodoss" saga
was created by Ryo Mizuno, based on ideas he'd had since childhood.
Mizuno's a novelist, a writer for the screen, and a game designer,
and his vision remains the heart of "Lodoss". As the story
architect for both of these volumes, he brings cohesion to
two tales that take place, respectively, after and before
the original series.
Record
of Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight Vol. 1
If the
title sounds vaguely familiar, it's because this sequel to
the original Lodoss War has also been adapted into anime (a
DVD boxed set is available from Central Park). It picks up
some years after the events of that series, which featured
the coming of age of the knight Parn and his battles alongside
his companions and love interest Deedlit. Parn and Deedlit,
among others, make their return, but the story now focuses
to a new group of heroes. At the heart of this party is Spark,
a young fighter. 
Spark's
initial attitude is very reminiscent of Parn's from the first
series. He's the young, optimistic lad who badly wants to
be a knight. An interesting counterpoint is made by bringing
Spark together with the older, wiser Parn, and Parn's old
mentor, King Kashu. The balance of impulsive, experience,
and weary wisdom gives the story an initial shading of depth;
Parn and Kashu know that Spark will end up facing danger soon
enough, and are aware that all the admonitions in the world
won't stop him from being headstrong or prevent his need to
learn on his own. Just as Parn did, Spark finds himself surrounded
by a group of diverse companions, including the warrior Gallac
and the half-elf Leif. As the group sets out to recover a
stolen treasure, they find themselves pitted against familiar
evils from the dark island of Marmo.
All of
Mizuno's original themes are intact, and I enjoy the idea
of seeing another young knight beginning his heroic journey
in the shadow of one who has gone before. While Mizuno gives
his characters unique traits, he still lets some of their
general archetypes carry them forward. This allows a more
mythic feel.
The art
by Natsumoto, best know for "King of Fighters", is stellar,
harkening back to the look of the original as well as the
anime. The pacing is brisk, the action is furious, and the
expressions are strikingly rendered. I also like the technique
employed during the introduction of each character, allowing
a fuller image of the main figure to bleed over several panels
as the new arrival is emphasized.
"Heroic
Knight" vol. 1 gets the new series off to a great start; it's
sure to be a big hit with both fans of the original and new
readers as well.
Record
of Lodoss War: The Lady of Pharis Vol. 1
"Lady
of Pharis" takes the opposite road from "Heroic Knight" by
going back to the time prior to the original "Grey Witch"
tales. All throughout the first series, we're told that Beld,
Wort and others were great heroes of the past. This time,
we actually get to see them in action.
What makes
this different than other epics that revisit their past (like
Lucas did on "Star Wars" with mixed results), is that that
Mizuno manages to retain that special "Lodoss" feel even as
the art looks completely different. Yamada's work is outstanding,
combining traditional manga aesthetics with some American
and European influences. Certain scenes reminded me of Colon,
Frazetta, and a really great Satana story I read in an issue
of "Vampire Tales" from the '70s. The backgrounds are menacingly
dark and thick with detail, and the pacing just whips along.
It's also
fascinating to see some of these characters in their younger
incarnations. We know what happens to Beld for example, so
that makes his earlier years that much more involving. The
entire narrative seems infused with a darker edge of horror
and sexuality, and that makes it a more unique reading experience.
Taken
together, these are two fantastic pieces of work that plug
in well to the existed epic. They're accessible for new readers,
and should be welcome volumes to long-time fans. Both of these
are definitely worth your time; make sure you hit Central
Park's site to address other questions you may have about
"Lodoss". The island may be cursed, but the talents behind
them definitely are not.
Troy Brownfield is the Editor-in-Chief of Shotgun Reviews.
Ever notice that Warlands . . . nah. Email Troy here.
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