Broken Frontier

If J.R.R. Tolkien reinvented modern fantasy, a throne that has since been claimed by the likes of George R.R. Martin, Robert Jordan, David and Leigh Eddings and Tad Williams, among others, then Joe Madureira redefined fantasy comics.

Battle Chasers proved that it was possible to release an amazing tale set in a fantasy realm, a story that would be devoured by fans.

Since the fall of the Battle Chasers juggernaut, others have come and gone, seeking to claim the prize. Most spectacular of all those that fell into a fiery cataclysm was the range of CrossGen titles, from Scion to Crux to Sojourn.

But don’t be fooled by the demise of books like Battle Chasers, Scion and Crux; the flame of fantasy is burning brightly in the world of comics!

Devil’s Due and Dabel Brothers Production have been leading the way in recent years.

I have to be upfront and tell you that I work for Dabel Brothers Production, so I feel a little uncomfortable about writing about the company, given that I could be accused of being biased... But, what the heck! I’ll throw caution to the wind.

DB Pro, as it is affectionately known, launched with a fantasy/manga title, Legacy. It was a creator-owned book that ran for four issues and has lain dormant for a few years (I will be bringing the title back with my first work-for-hire project, the Legacy: Rebellion webcomic... plug over!).

Books like The Hedge Knight, The Wood Boy/The Burning Man and The Seventh Shrine, all adaptations of top-selling authors’ works, have given the company a strong reputation among fantasy fans.

Another company that deserves a huge shout out, or a big “Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!” is Australia’s very own Phosphorescent Comics.

Phosphorescent Comics is Australia’s premiere comic book publisher. In the last few years, two major fantasy titles have served to distinguish this publisher that exists somewhere over the edge.

I just recently read the Azerath and Witch King – Autobiography of a Dark Lord TPBs, and I only have one thing to say... Australia’s big boys of comics deserve a big “onya” for creating high quality fantasy works that stand up to the best USA comics of the genre.

Azerath is a fun, creator-owned title written by Daniel Lawson, with art by Ryan Wilton. The two creators are publishing under Phosphorescent’s Creator Line imprint for creator-owned titles. They have delivered nine issues to date, and the book’s first collected edition, a trade of issues 1 through 8, has just been released.

I am barely halfway through reading the TPB, yet I have discovered why Azerath is one of Australia’s premiere comics. The story of a drunk, a half demon, a priest and possibly the most innocent girl in existence as they seek to reach the mountain of Azerath is a lot of fun.

The Witch King is an entirely different beast, the autobiography of a darkly devilish antagonist named Gavriel, who was once exiled from his homeland for his pursuit of the dark arts and has now returned to claim the throne. This is a dark fantasy, told from the point of view of evil, and I couldn’t put it down.

The Imperial homeland is also offering up its own take on the fantasy phenomenon. Markosia Comics is publishing a few titles that would fit into the fantasy genre, but the one with which I am most familiar is The Lexian Chronicles – Full Circle. I recently picked up the first trade.

It is a sweeping story chronicling conflicts within the tribes of Alemar, a struggle that could be solved by the betrothal of Reena, of the Pheonix Tribe, to the heir of the Leopards. In the background lurks a whole new world, waiting to be discovered by the inquisitive young girl. All the while, Reena waits with trepidation for the coming of possible war and the doom spelled by her betrothal.

The story is based on a novel Harry Gallan. I so enjoyed the trade that I intend to pick up the comic, and the book!

Last week, I reviewed Alias Enterprises’ latest entry into the uncharted realms of fantasy, the wonderful Twin Blades, and the company also offers up books like Armor Quest, Lullaby, and Valkyries.

Devil’s Due is following in DB Pro’s footsteps, taking up the licenses for classic fantasy titles like Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms.

Even DC’s Wildstorm imprint is in on the act with the upcoming title Skye Runner, which looks set to give Cannon Busters a run for its money on the claim to be the direct heir of Madureira’s work.

Fantasy is my favourite storytelling genre, and one that is well suited to four-color funny books. The best thing is that with fantasy comics becoming more and more popular, there is a whole range of books to choose from, everything from Elsinore to Witchblade and all the other realms of existence inbetween.