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© 2001 CrossGen Comics
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Sojourn
Prequel
From:
CrossGen
Advance
Review by: Troy
Brownfield
By:
Ron
Marz and Greg Land
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On
Sale June 20, 2001
Special Thanks to Ian Feller at CrossGen
One of
the truly beautiful things about reviewing comic books is
that you quite often get to see certain titles before they
hit the stands. In this case, I’ve been lucky enough to receive
a look at the Prequel edition of CrossGen’s new ongoing title,
Sojourn. If this book is any indication of the series
that will follow, then CrossGen has just birthed another smashing
success and a powerful new entry into the realm of fantasy
comics.
Ace
CrossGen scribe Ron Marz (Mystic, Scion, the
upcoming The Path) is at the helm, and he’s writing
with epic on his mind and Tolkien in his heart. Marz opens
the issue with series antagonist Mordath conducting a sadistic
interrogation, leaving little doubt that he plans to make
this man a potent and implacable adversary. In fact, most
of the issue revolves around Mordath, and I would thoroughly
enjoy a series with a really nasty villain as its centerpiece.
We
segue from the introduction of Mordath into an enormous battle
(worthy of the classic CrossGen clash between the Ravens and
Herons from Scion #6) that Marz writes with sound strategy,
intelligence, and an intuitive awareness of the ins and outs
of medieval warfare. The confrontation therein and the clever
final pages bring everything together, neatly setting up the
ongoing action that will occur 300 years in the future. (So
how does Mordath live to that? Ah ha...).
While
the story on its own is thoughtful and involving, the purely
explosive pencils of Greg Land deliver it all with staggering
force. Land (having made a name for himself in the Bat-titles),
along with inker Drew Geraci, firmly throws down the graphite
gauntlet with what is easily the best art of his career. (And
trust me, I’ve seen a lot of Greg’s art; he used to go to
the same comic shop that I did, New Concept in Terre Haute,
IN, and they had his stunning work on the walls years
ago.) I was prepared for Land and Geraci to bring quality
work; I had no idea that it would arrive with such jaw-dropping
power. This is amazing stuff, kids.
Sadly,
the disadvantage of a black and white preview is that you
can’t see the colors. However, I take heart that the palette
will be manned by Caesar Rodriguez, who has elevated Scion
into the multi-hued stratosphere. This guy can hang with Laura
DePuy, and I’m positive that he’ll take this Prequel to an
even higher plateau.
A
special bonus is that I got to see a few unlettered pages
of issue #1. For fans of Greg Land’s take on Black Canary,
you won’t be disappointed by the stunning blonde archer protagonist
of the ongoing series. Land has just gone insane. This is
high, high quality work.
I
must say that CrossGen appears to have done it again. I like
the fact that Sojourn is arriving in a year where interest
in the Fantasy genre will be at a fever-pitch (Lord of
the Rings, anyone?). It may allow this already fine work
to garner a larger audience more immediately. Whatever the
case, fans of fantasy, CrossGen, and comics in general will
want to grab this when it arrives in a few short weeks. You
have been served notice; don’t be left out.
Troy Brownfield is the Editor-in-Chief of Shotgun Reviews. He’d like to
thank Ian Feller for providing the preview. Check out our
Big Question section for a chat with Ron Marz, and visit CrossGen.com
for more on their books.
Email Troy at psikotyk@aol.com.
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