Broken Frontier

In an age of magic, a city is threatened by an invading horde. Their only hope is a powerful Gryphon but what must they pay to save their home?

Writer and artist Rachel Nabors took a stab at 24 Hour Comic Book Day back in 2005 but failed to meet the deadline. Not willing to waste a good idea she completed the comic here. The result is a magical and uplifting tale of love and community.

In a far-flung future, in a world perhaps or perhaps not our own, humanity has moved back into a feudal state and real magic has replaced technology. In this world the city state of Demitrite finds itself threatened by a coming army of "barbarians." Brothers William and Thomas volunteer to go and beg the Gryphon for help. The female Gryphon agrees but exacts a price from William. The bargain may be struck but some bargains change… you see, the Gryphon is both more and less than she appears and William finds a way to transform his life…

Nabors has shown a consistent talent at telling witty tales that ring true to life. Although A Brief History of Grifonton carries the trappings of fantasy, its humor and emotions are timeless. While Nabors does not go light on the social commentary, the story is geared in such a way that the subtext reads more like a knowing wink than a club to the head or a clumsy attempt at disguise. There are also plenty of signs of Nabors’ trademark satirical humor and visual puns (the most notable being the appearance of the invading "Goths") to keep the story moving at a well measured pace.

Pencils and inks are also supplied by Nabors and while she apologizes in the introduction for some of the art looking rushed due to 24 Hour Comic Book Day, she really has nothing to apologize for. Her Manga influenced style adapts well to the story and even in panels where the background details are light, the focus is cannily kept on the main characters. There is a grace of motion to the characters, particularly the Gryphon that is appealing to the eye as well and does not falter.

A Brief History of Grifonton is a fun little comic designed to make you think and feel. There are lessons to be learned about the nature of communities, what makes them work and why, as well as what makes a family, and what makes a person whole.

# # #

Copies of this book, along with Nabors’ online web comics are available at www.SubcultureOfOne.com