Arthur: The Legend Continues #1
Reviewed by David O' Leary
ARTHUR: THE LEGEND CONTINUES #1
Cover Date: May 2009
Story by: Martin T. Pierro
Art by: Cristhian Zamoran
Letters by: Percival Constantine
Cover by: Atula Siriwardane
Publisher: Cosmic Times
Cover Price: $3.50
Reviewed By: David O' Leary
Book Summery: In a time before ours his story ended and the legend was born. In a time after ours, his story begins again.
"Dawn"
I felt an air of almost childish excitement at the thought of this book. When I was younger I was a big fan of the old English fables of King Arthur, Camelot, et al and I was really looking forward to the prospect of enjoying this book. After putting it down when I finished it, my immediate thought was that it was a bloody impressive debut from Cosmic Times and Martin T. Pierro and Cristhian Zamoran.
Martin Pierro writes a very interesting take on the Arthurian legend. He opens the tale at the end of Arthur's life and that in itself was a good thing as the story of Arthur has been written and interpreted in many forms and through many devises but Pierro shows us what happens at the end of the story and what will happen in the future. His story revolves around a city that was built up around the fabled sword Excalibur while the denizens await the revival of the legendary King when they need him most. When the city's way of life is threatened Excalibur is released from its mythical holding and Arthur returns to a post apocalyptic world to assist his followers.
I found the book structured quite well and really it isn't a book that you will breeze through in ten minutes. At a page count of about 50 pages, the story is quite text heavy but with the story as enjoyable as it is, this wasn't something to detract the reader but only an enhancement of the enjoyment of a great tale. Certain aspects of the story were almost cinematic in style. There were certain scenes where, and I don't know if was the writers instruction or the artists initiative, but a few pages were lain out particularly well. Two scenes that highlight this were the scenes where we see Arthur being taken away on the boat on the lake. I found the presentation of the scene particularly remarkable with the overhead shot of Arthur laying in the boat flanked by the three women. All aspects of this scene brought together a myriad of emotional and palpable feelings at that early stage of the story that really set the tone the reader would have to live with for the rest of the book.
The second scene that stood out was the return of Arthur himself. The panel I have in mind is the panel where we see Arthur in silhouette with Excalibur in hand ready to re-enter the fray. It was a celebration type moment where you can almost hear the boom of the heroic music of a soundtrack as the hero returns. I was heavily invested in the story at this stage and found myself turning page after page with reckless abandon almost. It was one of those days where you read a book and just become engrossed in it from start to finish. I put it down and yeah, that was an impressive piece of writing.
On a book where you have a most epic story you almost expect a most epic presentation of the art. There were certain scenes where a colour background would have enhanced the experience but in the main, a black, grey and white book was exactly fitting with the story's tone. I very much enjoyed Cristhian Zamoran's art. I was unaware of him before this title but his art was crisp with tight lines and distinctive likenesses on all characters and that is half the job done. The grey tones of the book really gave a medieval stark gloomy look to the story and was a great choice on the production side as it only added to the experience..
Martin Pierro says this is just the start so this is a great opportunity for you to get in on the ground floor and enjoy yourself. Loose yourself in a book that will take you to a place where you can get away from the real world for a while and enjoy some great storytelling. You won't regret it. It is just that good.
Rating the Issue
Story: Overall 8.33 |
Storytelling - 8 out of 10 |
Reviewer Bio
Name: David O' Leary
email: idwfan@yahoo.co.uk
Been reading comics: for about 12 years now.
Review Bio: I am a 26-year-old Hotel Manager from the west coast of the Republic of Ireland and think this is a great way to talk to others about this cool medium. I am a husband to one wife and father to one girl (so far).
Favorites: ONI's Whiteout, Vertigo's Scalped and Garth Ennis Preacher and Punisher in Trades. In comic form I am reading a lot of Marvel and a bit of IDW, Dark Horse & WildStorm among others.
Website: Sorry, I don't have one!
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