Writer: Joe Pruett
Artist: Goran Sudzuka
Company: Image (Desperado)
Synopsis
Megan, daughter of Arthur, firstborn of the eternal Isle of Avalon, is experiencing the restlessness that accompanies young adulthood. Though born upon a paradise island, she finds her home to be stifling in its comforts. It is a life of soothing stagnation. It's boring. A dreamer seeking adventure, she hasn't any interest in the consoling routine of the timeless island.
Beyond the safety of Avalon, there are mists through which a traveler may come across myriad fantastic worlds. It is out there that Megan's destiny lies. As she contemplates her situation, a sign is given to her. A sword rises from the sea, radiant with mystical potency. It is a sword that she is fated to wield; it was made for her. And the mists beckon, though storm clouds darken the horizon. In "Wanderlust," Megan begins her quest to fulfill her destiny.
Critique
"You've brought change to a place where change was thought impossible."
This is a splendid beginning to a series that holds limitless potential. It carries a flavor of Arthurian lore, but also holds promise of fantasy realms that transcend the restrictions of this particular milieu. Beyond the mists, countless worlds await our protagonist, each one filled with adventure. That's the premise. It is an exploration of the fantasy genre through the "worlds without end" traveler motif. The emphasis is definitely on setting; as the protagonist searches for her destiny by journeying across countless realms, the reader is a vicarious tourist. With each sojourn along the hero's quest, the reader discovers a new and fantastic domain.
But what of our traveling companion, the protagonist, Megan? For this type of story to succeed, the reader needs to interested in her character. Fortunately, Pruett knows how to establish our protagonist. It's a finesse act. For this type of story, we need an accessible character but not an obtrusive one. She needs to be strong, but not overbearing. At this point in the narrative, she's a supporting character to the premise, exploration of setting. Pruett has wisely given her sufficient delineation so that the reader can understand and relate to her, but leaves her vague enough so that she may be developed over the course of her adventures.
To illustrate this point, consider traveling with friendly acquaintances. When you begin the journey, you've got only a sketchy feel for them, what they look like and what they do. But as you accumulate shared experiences over the course of the journey, your understanding of them grows deeper; nuances of their character come to light. Most writers don't understand this. They have a beloved protagonist that they immediately thrust onto the reader, expecting their enthusiasm to be shared. But the effect is like being on the long flight from Los Angeles to Hawaii while the person sitting next to you relates how her aunt had to soak a bunion in Epson salts or how she needs to avoid dairy products because of her lactose intolerance or how her pet chihuahua has psychic insights about the weather. By the time the plane lands, all you want to do is get away from this outrageous chatterbox; that's not the type of writing that'll make a reader buy a second issue.
However, Pruett avoids this pitfall. What do we know of Megan? She is a spirited young woman who is trained in both magic and swordplay. She is the daughter of King Arthur, and has apparently inherited his heroic potential. An agent of dynamism, her very existence brought change to the unchangeable Isle. Finally, armed with a magical sword and ready to find her destiny, Megan journeys forth into the vast unknown. That's all we know about her, but that's all that we need to know. Anything more is irrelevant, a distraction from the premise. Over the course of events, we'll learn more about Megan; we'll see her develop her from an impulsive young woman to the specific heroic figure that she is destined to become.
The art is a perfect complement to the writing. Sudzuka brings a subtle beauty to the title, with gorgeous scenery and an attractive protagonist. A distinctly European feel, it avoids the disproportions found in both Japanese and American sequential art; there's neither "big eyes/small mouth" nor "big breasts/small waist" here. The art is elegant and refined. Moreover, page and panel composition deftly handles a great deal of dramatic weight, subtly conveying elements of character, pacing, and mood.
For instance, on page 15, as wise old Joseph tells Megan of her unique status on the island, the art uses techniques of panel transition to signify the passing of time, to reflect the inner conflict within the protagonist, and to give both a sense of foreboding and exhilaration. It is only a single page with seven panels, but it conveys more story than the typical comic does in seven pages. Furthermore, it is beautiful, a joy to the eye!
Appraisal
"I hope I don't regret this."
I'm certain that I won't. The writing and art have already earned my trust. Unlike the typical comic that needs a "try out" period of at least the first three issues, this title shows its strengths right at the get-go. The writer has a solid understanding of the specific fantasy subgenre, the "traveler's tale" across "worlds without end." The artist is an astute visual narrator. Together they are authoring a classic story of a young adult facing the challenges of life on the road to achieving her potential.
Fans of CrossGen comics, such as Meridian, Mystic, or Sojourn, should definitely check out this title. It shares many thematic elements of these titles, but without the whole Sigil back story complications. It has a strong female protagonist, fantastic settings, and a destiny to fulfill, along with gorgeous artwork. Fans of intelligent storytelling in sequential art should also take note. There is quality in this title. I highly recommend it.
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