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Arthur: The Legend Continues #2

Reviewed by David O' Leary

ARTHUR: THE LEGEND CONTINUES #2
Cover Date: October 2009

Story by: Martin T. Pierro
Art by: Cristhian Zamoran
Letters by: Cosmic Times
Cover by: Atula Siriwardane
Publisher: Cosmic Times
Cover Price: $3.50
Reviewed By: David O' Leary

Book Summery: The story continues with this next chapter in the legend of King Arthur. As Arthur tries to find his place in this strange new world, he soon discovers that danger lurks around every corner and the world outside the village is more deadly and mysterious than he could possibly imagine. Mysteries are revealed and new questions are asked as the stage is set for the continuing adventures of King Arthur. The original team from issue 1 returns to craft this epic black & white adventure coming soon from Cosmic Times. The story picks up where the first issue left off and continues into a climatic battle in issue 3

"His People"

I have to admit to feeling pleasure for Martin Pierro and Cosmic Times with the reaction that the first issue from the fledgling company received upon release earlier this year. The initial book in the Arthur series was a great read and a great recommendation to anyone looking for something new. With the release of the second instalment the book continues to find its bearings and continue with the telling of the return of King Arthur.

The book continues a few days after the end of the first issue and it starts with a period of inflection from Arthur. I particularly liked how Arthur was portrayed as a character that was allowed to do so. This could easily have been a book of mindless action as you too often get with post apocalyptic tales but here we get a fleshed out world with clear parameters of where Pierro wants the story to go. Although Arthur is back to lead a people that still don't one hundred per cent believe that he is the real deal, there are people who unquestionably follow his every word but what remains to be seen is what impact this indecisiveness will have with the impending battle that is ahead. A subtle tug on the heartstrings was the final scene where it killed Reegain to leave behind Glade and Nuesha to return to Arthur after being jumped by the Slavers. And that is something that Pierro can do quite well. It is the understated telling of a story that makes his writing a critical ingredient of the product. There was an cool delicate intertwining of critical plot points here that will come to fruition in the third instalment that make this book essential reading.

I honestly feel that Zamoran upped his game here from the first issue. He gets the issue off to a beautiful start with his Russell Crowe/Gladiator style walk through the field that Arthur takes while thinking to himself. That whole scene was a magnificent meld of writing and art. I mentioned in the review for issue one that Zamoran has the kind of art that could easily accompany a musical score. The way he lays out his pages lends it an air of choreography that makes reading this book an experience rather than a chore. His grey wash has firmly established the overall look for this series and after the second issue now finished I don't see any other art style being used to portray the book. He isn't afraid either of stretching his muscles a bit with different styles. The opening scene with the aforementioned open walk with Arthur contrasted well with the claustrophobic tracking near Tree Spark with Nuesha, Glade and Reegain. He seems to be an artist that grows with each issue so it bodes well for what we will see in issue three.

This is turning out to be an epic book in the true sense of the word. There is a building tension that is palpable and issue three will tell a lot if it can be pulled off but based on what we have seen so far is a product getting better and better. This book is even more recommended than before.

Rating the Issue

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!