(I Box Publishing)
Writer/Artist: Mark Oakley (moak@interlog.com)
WHAT GOES ON: Young would-be sorceress Heath Wingwit settles into her new home, as her friend, the thief Rubel, recovers from his recent injuries.
Here's what I thought...
One of M'Oak's strongest issues yet, as our two protagonists both settle into their surroundings-- Rubel in the sorcerer Quinton's castle (with unexpected help from Soracia, the Shadow Lady), and Heath many years removed from her proper time, in the care of a woman who may be the reincarnation of her Aunt Jay. Meanwhile, Varkias the imp and the mysterious Soracia watch over them both, as we read a couple pages of word balloons whose speaker is never identified (Quinton?).
This is a wonderful transition into the next chapter of the story, which concerns Rubel wanting to take Heath to find a wishing key deep in the nearby woods (which should lead them to Quinton), and as he leaves her to ponder Soracia's words about Jurid being in the city (alas, I've forgotten who that character is), M'Oak goes into a nice prose story about Rubel's adventures as a boy.
M'Oak's timing is spot-on here, the transition from graphic storytelling to prose-with-illustrations is nicely done (on the first page the illos even have word balloons as well), and I feel like things are really moving forward as well as back story being filled out. I was quite riveted and taken with the story of the trickster monster Chead, although a bit maddened that M'Oak chose to tease us by leaving off in the middle of the flashback, and I look forward to Heath encountering him with her magic.
A good issue to try out if you've been curious about this series, and a very worthwhile read. Recommended.
So, what did y'all think?
- Elayne
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This review is copyright 1998 by Elayne Wechsler-Chaput, reprinted here by
permission.