What do you get when you meld the talent of a superb writer with the skill of an exceptional artist? A vibrant tapestry of creativity. Sword and Soul Adventures, featuring Shange, is one of the most aesthetically pleasing graphic novels that I have had the pleasure of reading. And I'm not just referring to the female protagonist, whom the artist, Kristopher Mosby, renders with immaculate skill. Every illustration in this novel is worthy of being blown up, framed and displayed in an art museum. The colors are vibrant and crisp, imbuing scenes with life. People and animals jump from the pages with full dimensionality. The backgrounds blossom with grandeur.
As for the writing. Those who have read Milton Davis' work will not be surprised at the magnificence of his prose. This is a literate and literary comic book.
The story. Shange is a fallen goddess, exiled from the heavens for the infraction of falling in love with a mortal. The spirits also punished Shange's lover, Mijorga, by imprisoning his soul in the body of a lion. In human form, the sword-wielding Shange and her feline companion, wanders the land. Shange pines for her former existence as a celestial being while Mijorga struggles to retain his humanity, lest it be subsumed by the wild nature of the body he inhabits.
When Shange is summoned by the spirits to assist villagers besieged by a malevolent force, she springs into action.
Part One is an introduction to this powerful and deadly heroine. I fully expect Part Two to deliver a higher dosage of superlative storytelling combined with stunning visual excitement. Sword and Soul Adventures is a great read and Shange is a worthy addition to the ever growing pantheon of sword and sorcery heroes and heroines. I urge everyone to grab this title. You may have a problem ordering from IndyPlanet...or maybe it was just me. Anyway, order this!!
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