A crowdfunded exclusive fantasy comic, The Band of the Crow is a magazine sized graphic novel, it is an introduction to the original world of Brigantia! This comic book is from Crowfire Studios and will hopefully expand to print form in comic book and bookstores. It is created by Arvid Nelson who is known for the Rex Mundi series that was published by Image Comics and then Dark Horse Comics. He has also worked with other franchises with Kull for Dark Horse, Dynamite Entertainment’s Warlord of Mars, and the Legendary Pictures comic, Skull Island: The Birth of Kong. The artwork is by Oren which is the first work for the artist outside of Malaysia and it is promising. Find availability and details at: www.thebandofthecrow.com.
The main cover by Oren has a collage of characters, the red haired Therial, the Troll who looks more like an Elf with green skin and dark hair carrying a sword, Otri, and a large face of a blonde haired woman who is not yet introduced. Oren’s characters has a slight manga influence and his detail is intricate. The first pages are full page illustrations like a chapter book. It tells of the Eternal Cold, eight centuries ago, that covered the Known World. The image of a ruined city blanketed by snow with only crows occupying it with a crescent moon above it. There are steps, trees, and Romanesque buildings. Highly detailed art by Oren. Then, we are told of the Holy Daughter, Julian, who was born on the eve of the Eternal Cold. I really like that there is a religious aspect to this fantasy world.
Another page shows a red banner with three cirlces of gold with spears raised to the clouds encircling the shinging sun, birds, crows?, fly in a scattered line. Julian had warned about giants from the cold, but only a few of the faithful believed her. The tale explains that lands were taken in Her name until the arrival of “our people”, which I take to be Brigantia, the island setting. Julian, whom we see with long, dark hair raises an object that sends out rays. She had taught the followers of the Faith of the God Child, Sorcery, that defeated the giants. The last of manking is on the Island Refuge, and the Great Frost is still beyond their borders. Then, we get a full page spread of what looks like a monastery similar to Meteora in Greece, on a mountain with a single tower.
There is a gate on the side, the only entrance. All of this is under the night with a crescent moon. A prayer to the Mother of Mercy is heard. Then, we get another large panel, the statue of Julian holding the God Child with a gold laurel crown stands at an alcove. Kneeling in pryayer is Therial, who has a test the following day. Some candles illuminate the statue, stunning colors. He is about to finish his prayer asking to be delievered “from the shadows” when a clawed hand touches his shoulder! Another cinematic splash page has Therial yanked back by his cloak this has the troll, Otri in tribal armor, green skin, and wild, brown hair with braids. Several of his fellow troll warriors are behind him and I was impressed by a circular, stained glass window with Julian and the God Child along with hands.
Otri threatens Therial with his sword and instead he shouts a warning about the trolls. Funny and the spiky panel looks like the manga style! The troll leader holds his hand over Therial’s mouth and says his trolls will kill him. Otri says that they are only there for gold and don’t want to kill anyone. A closeup of Therial’s eyes as he says it is a “poor house of the goddess.” Otri turns holding his sword to Therial to see a troll hand grasping the gold crown! He says he lost his patience. Then, the trolls are surprised by black tendrils wrapping around them! Otri, in the troll language, wonders what is attacking them. The crown is dropped and one troll says it is the shadows! Another says it is magic, skraeling magic, like a curse. Skraeling is an Old Nurse word meaning “barbarian” or “shout.”
A splash page reveals the sorcerer of the shadows, Ancasta, a dark haired woman in a white dress emerging from the chapel door. Her hands out to send the shadows, Ancasta asks Therial why he is there, and he answers that he has to “walk the Knot”, his test. Interestingly, we only saw Julian from behind and in statue form, but Ancasta may resemble the goddess. The trolls semed to have shrugged off the shadows and Otri is ready to attack Ancasta! One troll rushes at her with an axe, but is thrown back by the shadows! Otri says she can’t stop all of them, he roars leaping with two blades, Ancasta sets herself. They unleashes the shafows to toss the trolls! She sends a shadow tendril to choke Otri, a closeup of her hand as she slams him into the ceiling, and then opens her hand flinging him through the door! Great use of action and perspective!
The trolls start to run to their ship and Ancasta follows them, she says, “Tell the rest of your kind - “, but can’t complete her words. She gasps, her arms are outstretched and the trees seem to lean towards her. An excellent way to show disorientation. Her husband, Morin, rushes to her side. He has a red cloak and green tunic, his face looks like a modern day administrator around middle age than a noble. Ancasta is kneeling by a tree holding her head, her necklace has the glowing pendant we find out is a Fale. It may be what contains the magic. A closeup as she holds her belly and Ancasta mentions it is their child that made her weak. Morin gives a suspicious look them as he helps his wife. Ancasta says that Therial was at the chapel when trolls entered. They seem to have some sort of plan as we see a closeup of Ancasta’s face as she says they could use the event to their advantage?
Men in brown tunics and robes see them at the chapel's entrance. Behind them, quietly, is Therial. The bearded head of these monk-like figures asks if Mael Morin took care of the trolls. We see Ancasta’s eyes as her husband hints that they won’t have trouble from the trolls. He wears a Fale, but may not be magical. The clergy leader says the students would have been inspired to see him take on the trolls before the test. He wonders why the trolls returned. Morin says they have to be ready for the test and the others bow to him. The leader holds the hand of Maleth Ancasta, but she seems distant. I like the different titles for these nobles which appear to be similar to duke and duchess. Therial looks at Ancasta as he is taken away. Morin tells his wife it is best that the people think he protected them. He has to keep his “magisterial authority.” I like the politics here, the monks are all men, the only person with any kind of power, magic, is Ancasta.
In the morning, at the chapel’s meeting hall, Therial explains he was in the chapel during the troll attack. I think Morin should have checked with Therial about the “official” account of the trolls. Therial and the other students wear white tunics. There are red banners with what looks like golden owls. Therial is asked by his dark haired friend Rollo if he is related to Ancasta. Morin the Fifth is announced at a balcony. He holds up his Fale, a locket with a ruby-like center and several gold etchings around it. Morin says he used it to defeat the trolls. The students have finished their studies after “ten winters.” Their test is to enter the Endless Knot to find a plant, a sprig of it will increase their Sorcery a “hundredfold”! It is a dangerous test that will lose them forever, make them lose interest, but the goddess may guide them to their Fales! Band of the Crow is not formed yet, but Therial’s test may prove himself as a sorceror and lead him to join a group that can save Brigantia! I’m ready for more adventures with the Band of the Crow!
Five+ Fales out of Five!
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