FANTASY QUEST #1, from Monkey/Wolf Productions on Kickstarter, mixes every classic fantasy of literature for a wild tale about a mysterious stranger lost in a strange land.
The Details
- Written by: George Michail, Andrew Buckley
- Art by: Rags Morales, Hailey Renee
- Colors by: Rags Morales, Hailey Renee
- Letters by: Nikki Powers
- Cover art by: Rags Morales, Hailey Renee
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $8.00
- Release date: October 24, 2023
Is FANTASY QUEST #1 Good?
FANTASY QUEST #1 is a super-fast, Easter Egg-laden fantasy adventure fit for readers who like twists and stories they thought they knew and enjoy a crossover or two to keep the narrative interesting. The issue reads super-quick and has more cameos than an antique jewelry shop, so if you like literary mash-ups, you’re in for some fun.
George Michail and Andrew Buckley’s script centers on a naked stranger who wakes up in Munchkin Land. When the stranger recovers his senses (and some clothes), he begins a quest with the help of the locals to traverse one land after another to find a special object to save his people.
The description above calls this comic a mashup, but it’s really multiple mashups happening all at the same time. You get bits of characters and lands from everything from the Wizard of Oz to Winnie the Pooh to Arthurian Legend and more. If it’s public domain, chances are you’ll find it.
On a side note, the description may sound like this comic is for kids. It’s not. The Mature rating is applied for some surprisingly gory violence.
What’s great about FANTASY QUEST #1? Although it takes a few pages to get grounded in what’s happening, the absolute highlight of this issue is the plethora of literary Easter Eggs. Who knew seeing the Lion from Oz in a fight with Tweedle Dee could be so surprising (or violent)?
What’s not so great about FANTASY QUEST #1? For most readers, the down point will be the lack of setup for the main character. He doesn’t introduce himself or offer his name until well past the halfway mark. Once he makes the introduction, he spews a wall of text about his background and mission, which makes little sense coming so late in the issue. The issue doesn’t take on meaning until the main character introduces himself, so you lose half the issue with surreal vagueries.
How’s the art? Fantastic. Rags Morales and Hailey Renee present a cartoonish, storybook style that’s surprisingly detailed and fits the story perfectly. The art plays up the bright, fantastical elements of the world to give the script a lift.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s FANTASY QUEST #1 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a naked man waking up in Munchkin Land. After Boq, a helpful Munchkin, provides some ill-fitting clothes, the stranger explains he’s desperately searching for something called the Fire Gem. Boq has never heard of it, but he offers to take the stranger to see the Wizard of Oz for guidance.
When the duo reaches the Emerald City, the Scarecrow greets them and explains he’s not a real wizard, but he knows where to find one. While the stranger and the Scarecrow discuss the next steps, they’re attacked by Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum at the behest of the Red Queen, who wants to expand her territory into Oz. The Lion and the Tin Man arrive to fight off the attackers with the help of the stranger.
We conclude the issue with flying monkeys, silly old bears, and an argument by a Lake.
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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FANTASY QUEST #1 mashes up a surprising number of literary classics into a story about a mysterious stranger on a quest to find a powerful gem. The art is fantastic, and the number of cameos is entertaining, but the stranger’s identity and quest take too long to get introduced.
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