A.GUARDIAN #1, from Source Point Press on October 26th, 2022, opens the door to a sweeping epic about a kingdom on the verge of war with itself and an ancient wizard’s prophecy.
The Details
- Written by: Eastin DeVerna
- Art by: Kay Baird, Grim Wilkins
- Colors by: Kay Baird
- Letters by: Shawn Daley
- Cover art by: Kay Baird
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: October 26, 2022
Is It Good?
A.GUARDIAN #1 is an epic fantasy done right. Eastin DeVerna’s first chapter about an ancient kingdom on the brink of war simmers with drama, ancient prophecies, and battles. For readers looking for a classic sword & sorcery story, this comic is a solid choice.
The highlight of DeVerna’s story is the thorough yet accessible world- and character-building. Within a scant 24 pages, DeVerna lays out the three kingdoms, the nature of their distinct struggles, their leaders, and the history that’s led to the current conflict. DeVerna demonstrates a remarkable amount of efficiency in setting the stage while crafting an entertaining story at the same time.
As a word of caution, there is a lot of information to absorb in a very short time, regardless of DeVerna’s efficiency in presenting it. Thankfully, Kay Baird’s distinctive character designs help tremendously to keep all the players straight.
Speaking of Baird, the art is on-point with thoughtful character acting and surprisingly gritty action. It’s not often you get to see a character use a bow & arrow with such deadly consequences, but you’ll get that here thanks to Baird’s art.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with narration concerning the Tomb of Luvia, the final resting place of the Queen who united the three kingdoms – Suls, Thirions, and Kanocs – with Kanoc acting as the capital. Each King of Kanoc visits the Tomb for a secret purpose known only to them, and a giant Guardian watches to ensure only the King of Kanoc may enter.
Over the years, unrest has grown among the three kingdoms as Kanoc’s wealth and prosperity sometimes come at the expense of its neighbors to the South and North. Now, old wounds and fresh concerns drive the leaders of the Suls and Thirions to consider a new war against Kanoc.
Along with the legend of Luvia comes a prophecy uttered by the wizard who knew her, Gwydion. We conclude the issue with a warrior, a King, a Queen, a dagger, and a Guardian.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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A.GUARDIAN #1 is a surprisingly rich start to a sword & sorcery fantasy story about a kingdom on the brink of war. The volume of information needed to flesh out the kingdoms and characters is presented in an entertaining, well-paced manner, and the art is excellent.
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