By Alex Ness
October 6, 2023
GENRE: FANTASY
MEDIUM: COMIC BOOKS
OPINION: MINE
From a reader
"I read all your poetry, your popular media blog too. I can't afford to buy the works you have done, but I can't afford to buy anything. When things turn around, I'll be writing you again.
BUT, I want to ask something, and it isn't meant to insult anyone, but I am confused. I don't understand how such a sensitive voice and mind could write such beautiful love poems, that never approach erotic or pornographic works, you write about battle, but never delve into cruel, violent fantasy. I've read many of your reviews of comics, and offerings, and you seem to like Fantasy comics.
When I think fantasy comics, I think Conan the Barbarian, or in prose I read Wagner's Kane or in movies or television the sexually graphic and violent Game of Thrones. They are either vile, guy with muscles killing the weak, or nearly porn violent anti hero fantasies. What is the attraction for you? And, BTW I am well aware Conan by RE Howard writes far more nuanced, even intelligent stories than the CONAN comics I've had the misfortune to read."
I can't disagree that the writing of RE Howard is far better prose than the comics ever approached. I love the work of Roy Thomas, but not so much his Conan work, nor that of those writers who followed him. Also I think Roy Thomas as writer of Conan isn't actually accurate, since it seems from many sides of the conversation, Barry Windsor Smith, early artist on Conan was more than the artist but the writer too, as the overall teller of the story. By the time the art reached Thomas, he'd see how BWS fashioned the bare plot suggestions, and would dialogue when BWS was finished with the art and story. The art is rather perfect. Thomas received many accolades, but was it his true work, or was it the work of BWS edited and given dialogue by Thomas?
And taking one more step back, I do honestly think that Chuck Dixon at Marvel and Timothy Truman at Dark Horse wrote very good stories, but even they never approached the excellence of RE Howard. But I am not certain the term nuance explains it. Perhaps the mastery of economy REH understood the character and setting so well that he could tell stories that rarely had flaws. In comic books, there is a more complex work at play, the balance of writer and artist. If Timothy Truman was to illustrate his own Conan, I'd probably be more moved. Joe Lansdale and Tim Truman did a mini series that was beyond good, yet it never received the accolades deserved.
And beyond specifics, we do not all agree in taste, I can't explain my love for, nor apologize for my love of fantasy comics, or any comics. If someone dislikes them over a matter of taste, that's the way it goes. But, I can safely say your concept of what passes for Fantasy in comics, is limited, or misdirected, or ill informed. The place of a warrior in a tale, is a form of story that works for me. But trust me, there are far more and different comics in fantasy than in most other genres. Fantasy is where there are no rules, and if all you come up with is a heavily muscled character killing people, it would surprise no one that it would be dull, and likely end up a violent orgy and boring concepts.
A couple quotes about fantasy that might enlighten many people
ARTESIA
For the person looking for a lead character who inspires, is not a trope or stereotype, and within a world of complexity and depth, Artesia is your place to look. It takes a leader, and shows her in all her awe, and all her flaws. The work goes well beyond a leader who is powerful, it explains in detail why, how, and leads to your wanting to know every fact available. Mark Smylie did this work, and it is great.
ELFQUEST
During my sophmore year of college, (from UMDuluth) I went home and had a summer job, and bought a few comics, in supermarkets, due to the lack of comic stores in that area. There I found ElfQuest on the spinner rack and when I first read it, I became quite a fan. It told a story of a variety of different but interesting and each unique, elves, on a planet where human tribes are no where nearly so advanced or intelligent. I do have some affection for it still, it was always a fun read. The depth of characterization was not constantly well done, and I found that the further one goes in the reading, the less impact is felt. Yes it is good, actually, even great, just with lessened impact by the end. Wendy Pini and her husband Richard Pini are quality story tellers.
MICE TEMPLAR
At first, upon beginning this article, I'd thought Fantasy doesn't describe Mice Templar, because I saw it as an allegory for the spiritual quest, and how one finds obstacles, both inside and outside the seeker, that is, not fantasy since fantasy relies upon certain factors that this went far beyond. Then I realized that it uses the form of fantasy, and the storytelling ideas of it, but tells both a cosmic and mythical tale, through the lens of metaphor and depth. Bryan Glass, Mike Oeming and Victor Santos moved me, and others, while showing how a moral being faces many hurdles in discovering and practicing the truth. I also appreciated it for the fact that I've read more than a couple dozen books about the Knight Templars, and this has some appreciation of that history too. The choices one makes in life, or upon a quest, good or bad, have consequences, and living a life of honor, good or bad, has a cost as well, and consequences well beyond the mortal plane.
POISON ELVES
This selection involves more fantasy oriented elves, and quite honestly I didn't enjoy it. However, I did think it was well done, and understand those who did like it did so sincerely. It is a different kind of fantasy, utilizing both technology, magic, and fantasy oriented races and characterizations. For me, it was playing without rules, because in addition to using tech, his weapon was a gun with endless ammo. That is, even when using tech, it doesn't use it the way we would. I know people who loved this series so, I am not saying it is without quality, appreciation or sales. It was actually, for an independent comic, from small publishers, quite successful. If you like your elves dark, in nature and in what they want from life, this is your guy. I think the writing is better than art, but it has quality in both realms. Drew Hayes, the creator of it, died very young at 37 years old, so it is possible that in addition to the quality of story, art and writing, that some folks remember it fondly because it was created by a person who sadly left this earth before his time should have come.
THE PORTENT
I think that Michael Moorcock, writer of Elric and many more characters and stories, is a great writer. But he writes characters I do not like at all. Almost the opposite of Mice Templar or Artesia, his stories are dark, to the extent that his characters, the archetype main character are not heroic, but instead are selfish and occasionally villainous. I realize there are people who adore such writing. They find morality tales or moral considerations to be the arguments of small minds, but I find the lack of such in his characters to be rather disturbing. Your mileage may vary.
Elric is the final prince of a dying empire of elves, or some similar race. His aims are to gain power, and to dominate the world before him. The younger human race is aggressive and pose trouble to the ancient kingdoms, such as Melnibone, they live short lives but are growing in number, and in their aims for power and control. So, you'd forgive Elric for not being happy and shiny, and light of spirit. He turns to dark magic, serves a god of Evil, and bears a sword that sucks souls from those it strikes. He is an albino, weak, and uses herbs and tonics to become strong beyond his natural limits, and he wears armor and such that is enchanted by magic to be better than otherwise. This is, however, another proof that fantasy is not only large men who use a giant sword. Elric is a weak man, not heroic, and he lives to destroy other kingdoms and people. The comic writers who interpret Moorcock's books are not wavering in the telling, and are true to Moorcock's writing, but what drew me to these works is the fantastic artwork within.
SOJOURN
Ron Marz and Greg Land were given the job of fleshing out a concept by publisher Mark Alessi and Gina Villa from CrossGen. The main character is an archer named Arwyn, a woman who lost her family due to violence caused by the armies of the arch villain Mordath. Unlike other CrossGen comics, the bearer of the sigil, a mark of power, wasn't born by Arwyn or her companion Gareth. It was born by the villain Mordath. This isn't important to know, for you to enjoy the works, which is surely why the book was CrossGen's best selling comic. The lead character is a courageous warrior seeking to kill Mordath, his minions, and any of the dangerous creatures of the land. It is a pleasant story, with likable and hateable characters. It doesn't cross any boundaries previous left not walked, but, it also doesn't rely upon a muscular man or sex or anti heroes. I liked it, didn't love it, and found it a nice addition to any pile of comics I was reading.
REVIEWS AND STUFF
FINALLY... I
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