Published by Image Comics. Written and illustrated by James Stokoe.
The Deal: It’s the first issue of writer/artist James Stokoe’s new fantasy series about a cunning orc (you know, those creatures from sword-and-sorcery-type works of fiction?) who’s better at stealing than fighting, trying to survive in a violent, blood-stained world. I think.
The Verdict: This comic works from the first page, which quickly dives right into the action (ala the first Lord of the Rings film). The lead character is interesting and morally complex; and the world Stokoe has built for the series is rich and expansive. On top of that, the art — although highly stylized — is amazing; detailed and cinematic … kind of like Geoff Darrow mixed with Ariel Schrag. I’ve been raving about Image lately … and here’s yet another reason to rave.
Reviewed materials provided by Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find: www.heroesonline.com.
This article appears in Jan 19-25, 2010.
