(I-Box Publishing)
by Mark Oakley (M'Oak)
I feel another time headache coming on, I know I do.
I was wondering what M'Oak's "backup story" of the so-called magician Quinton and his friends in Millbrook had to do with the main tale, and this time he finally weaves the two together. Seems the key has something to do with young Heath, who may or may not have a crush on Quinton but believes, despite being made fun of, that he is indeed a wizard. Even when the neighbor boys point out to her that nobody has ever actually *seen* Quinton perform any wizardry.
This 10-page scene of childhood taunts and rivalries rings very, very true, and I think M'Oak captures these kids's personalities perfectly, as well as establishing that Heath is orphaned and has been taken in by the woman she calls "Mom." In magical stories this sort of fact is very significant, as it often indicates the orphan has hidden powers presumably acquired from her/his parents.
And indeed, as the book then shifts back to M'Oak's illustrated text pages and focuses in on poor, rejected Heath, sitting under a tree and thinking about what has happened to her. Naturally she falls asleep, and here's where things get weird, because she finds herself in the same dream realm through which, 1000 years later, Rubel and Lady Soracia wander. What is Heath's connection to Rubel? To the Shadow Lady? To the visions she conjures up (or which are conjured *for* her?) of kings and queens and knights and heroes and magical creatures throughout time?
I haven't a clue, but I was enthralled. Lots of very dense stuff happens here in these 8+ pages, and I'm sure I only caught a part of it. I feel about as clueless as Rubel, whose continual querying of the Shadow Lady supplies him with no more answers than M'Oak concedes to us, just more questions and confusion as he and Soracia run for shelter at King's Crossing. Of course, the guards won't let them in-- dragon's orders, no thieves. Meanwhile, the Gorgon's head has awoken... uh oh...
I can't say as I haven't had dreams like this, but I don't expect dreams to be as coherent as comics. I'm thoroughly perplexed, but also thoroughly enchanted. A somewhat maddening combination. This book's often a tough but rewarding read. I wouldn't recommend this issue as the first one to pick up, but fortunately M'Oak is releasing a trade compiling the first six issues this coming September. Do enter and be overwhelmed.
So, what did y'all think?
- Elayne
--
This review is copyright 1996 Elayne Wechsler-Chaput.
Reprinted here by permission.