Broken Frontier

A refugee soldier from a decimated kingdom is drawn into a struggle for an item of great power. What has Fate in store for this young woman?

Greykell Ir’ryc was once a captain in the army of Cyre, one of the mightiest nations on the world of Eberron. When an unexplained mystical cataclysm struck her world, Greykell lost her kingdom, her home, her loved ones, and her purpose. Now a wandering refugee, Greykell tells her story to a fellow traveler—a tale of Cyre’s last great battle and the circumstances that drew her into a world of dark magic, undead, monstrous creatures, three Fate-like sorceresses, and a power hidden behind "The Eye of the Wolf."

In the last few years, Devil’s Due Publishing has built up a reputation for producing some of the best fantasy comics on the market. As in their Legend of Drizzt and Dragonlance series, I knew nothing about the world of Eberron or the role-playing game that serves as the source material for this latest addition. Despite this, I was instantly drawn in by the quality of the writing and art and the creative ideas on display within its pages.

There’s an old joke that in fantasy, J.R.R. Tolkien is like Mount Fuji in Japanese art—always visible in the background. And indeed, as much as I love Drizzt and the others, the comics wear their Tolkien influence on their sleeve. Not so with Eberron. While a few creatures seem familiar, the setting of this comic is unlike any that I’ve seen before in fantasy. It is a hodge-podge of classic sword-and-sorcery, 1930s pulp adventure, and cultural influences from the Middle East and other locales not often used in the genre. Magic and swordplay co-exist with art deco airships and Victorian-style technology. Rather than the lush green fields of a fairy tale kingdom, Eberron’s landscape is a harsh, barren desert of warring tribes.

The setting alone would make for a fascinating read but thankfully, writer Keith Baker also gives us a compelling lead character in Greykell, a strong, independent, somewhat cynical woman seeking purpose after losing all that is dear to her. Baker also introduces some surprising characterization for Mace, a "warforged" (mystical automaton animated to defend his fellow battalion members) whose loyalty to Greykell is rather touching. The plot, with its journey through a labyrinth and search for a magical item, is a bit more traditional but the writing remains strong and engaging throughout.

Chris Lie was an ideal choice to illustrate Greykell’s story. While his work is undeniably detailed and conveys the grandeur of the unique fantasy setting, there is a harder edge to the pencils. It’s a rough but assured style that befits the locale and the cold, unforgiving world of Eberron. Lie’s designs for the characters’ armor, technology, and architecture are all spikes and spires and jagged lines. Other than the people themselves, there are few organic shapes on display and this goes a long way toward setting the tone of the comic. Rob Ruffolo’s dusty, almost sepia-tone color palette is a vital part of that atmosphere as well.

With a creative world, solid comics craftsmanship, and a full 48 pages of story, Eberron: Eye of the Wolf is sure to be a treat for fantasy fans.