The Band of the Crow Book One graphic novel starts off the adventures of Therial with a detailed fantasy world created by Arvid Nelson with fantastic visuals by Oren! First part, that was in Welcome to Brigantia comic book is the first chapter here, “Wolves in the Chapel.” It was reviewered here: https://geektruth.blogspot.com/search?q=band+of+the+crow. The prologue is like an illuminated storybook which had the Great Winter when the Holy Daughter, Julian, was born. She taught Sorcery which was used to drive back the giants. The island of Brigantia has to be defended. The comic has 32 pages with the Brigantia designs. It has alternate cover art by Zid. Young Therial prays in front of a statue of Julian for his trials the next day.
He finds himself caught by the leader of trolls, Otri, who are raiding the temple. They are stopped by shadowy tendrils sent by Ancasta. She is weakened by her unborn child. and given little help by Morin, the baron-like Mael, but they both wear Fale, amulets that amplify their magic. The next day, Morin announces to the young men who are studying to be sorcerors. Their test is in the Endless Knot, a dangerous labyrinth, to cut a sprig from a magical plant. Some bullies taunt Therial about his father and he gets into a fight with them. Before they enter the Endless Knot, Ancasta has the men drink from a cup. Therial stares in the reflection of the cup and ends up splashing Ancasta! He continues to the opening of the Endless Knot!
Chapter Two: The Endless Knot picks up the story by Arvid Nelson. It is a 64 page graphic novel that was able as a Kickstarter project. It has the same cover as the regular cover of Welcome to Brigantia. This looks ready for comic and book stores with ISBN number and $17.95 price. We see a frontpiece like a circular stained glass window with “the Taming of the Wolves, the Fifth Year of the Goddess.” Three wolves are around the Goddess in red dress with the halo around her, stunning art by artist, Oren. Therial has entered the labyrinth and discovers a skeleton, a mop of brown hair, on top of mossy rocks with roots twisting in the bones! Therial turns away and walks up stones stairs with walls tangled with the roots. Closeup, something startles him and Therial reaches for his dagger. He finds that it is alcove with a statue of Julian before a pool.
He kneels and takes a drink from the water, interesting that he drinks not from Ancasta’s cup, but from the Holy Daughter. Therial says to his father that he is on his way and then hears a spectral voice! Laughter comes from a stairway, there is mist that shrouds a female figure. Fascinating image since we saw Ancasta in white send out shadows, here is a dark woman in white mist. She tells Therial that she is a friend and he is startled that this woman knows his name. Therial says she is a Darkling from the Dark Lands and draws his curved knife, like a karambit. He does call for her to leave in the name of Julian, but this Darkling might be part of the Endless Knot!
Five Fales out of Five!
#TheBandOfTheCrow, #AridNelson, #Zid, #Oren, #Therial, #Julian, #Eidgar, #Mumkin
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