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emmaprew's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I think I enjoyed this more than the first. There doesn’t appear to be a third though…
manbrarian's review
4.0
A solid second volume in a (so far) awesome fantasy series. This one follows Learoyd and Dusty in the aftermath of the events in volume one. We get a lot more world building here, and the focus on just the two characters means there is a bit more time for character development.
While this extra time getting to know the main characters is great, it also means we get almost nothing on any of the other characters from volume one. What's happening with the other survivors of the crash? What is Seven-Scars going to do now? It feels like the moved on to some completely new story arcs, without properly tying off the old ones. I'm sure these will get attention in later volumes, but it would have been nice to get a bit more of a look-in at the other factions.
That small gripe aside, I really enjoyed this volume and I am chomping at the bit for volume 3.
Tidbits: Sheep village, and Learoyd's stupid helmet.
While this extra time getting to know the main characters is great, it also means we get almost nothing on any of the other characters from volume one. What's happening with the other survivors of the crash? What is Seven-Scars going to do now? It feels like the moved on to some completely new story arcs, without properly tying off the old ones. I'm sure these will get attention in later volumes, but it would have been nice to get a bit more of a look-in at the other factions.
That small gripe aside, I really enjoyed this volume and I am chomping at the bit for volume 3.
Tidbits: Sheep village, and Learoyd's stupid helmet.
crowyhead's review
4.0
I loved this second volume even more than the first. Busiek is doing something VERY interesting here and I can't wait to see how it turns out! The humor and heroism are excellent, and the artwork is perfectly suited to the story.
michaeljohnhalseartistry's review
4.0
This volume was actually just released in February and continues the adventures of the Great Champion and the dog-wizard Dusty. Separated from the other wizards, Dusty and the champion make their way through the wilderness and come upon an ancient temple that's been inadvertently poisoning the land with dangerous magic. At this temple, they discover a number of robot-like constructs designed to look like human females who have kept the temple for generations. This, compounded with the arrival of a curious human deity only raises more questions for Dusty and the Great Champion as they search to re-spark the dying magic that has become crucial to the survival of the anthropomorphic creatures of the Autumnlands.
I read through this so fast! I fell in love with the first volume back in January, everything about the series is so beautifully done, the world building (which is set in a far off future where animals have become civilized and able to control magic, albeit a dwindling magic), the artwork, beautifully rendered by Ben Dewey and Jordie Bellaire, the story, written by comic veteran Kurt Busiek, the characters! There's just so much goodness packed into this comic. I've said in previous blogs that I was never really a big comic book fan. As a kid I read a lot of Star Wars comics, but I never really got into any others– mostly because of my dislike of superheroes. I'm also a huge fan of fantasy. Fantasy books, films, television shows, comics, and I never thought I'd find a fantasy comic that was well fleshed out and that did the genre justice. But The Autumnlands has definitely proven that the weight that comes with fantasy stories can definitely be tackled with comics.
Though for as much as I've praised The Autumnlands, I didn't like this second volume as much as the first. I was kind of confused about the plot, it left more questions than answers, and I realize the series is ongoing, but literally nothing was tied up... I was left so confused as to what happened, what was going on, and who these new human characters were. While it was nice to see more of the world of the Autumnlands, including a sheep town in the mountains, which was SO well-done, I missed all the different anthropomorphized animals of the previous volume. There was one little scene that addressed some of the characters from the first volume; a warthog wizard and her giraffe lover, and an owl wizard who served as the main antagonist of the first volume, but that was it. And I missed them! For all the characters in this series, the Great Champion is probably my least favourite. He's the human that's meant to open the well of magic to resupply the dwindling stores of magic. He's just... well, he's not an animal. And in a world populated by anthropomorphized animals, I want to know more about the different animals than a human plunked in the midst.
Still though, this series is definitely one I'll be keeping my eye on and will continue to read as they put out compiled volumes. I definitely recommend checking this one out, especially if you love fantasy and want a rich, detailed story with some of the best artwork I've seen.
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FOR MORE BOOK REVIEWS, PHOTOS, AND MY OWN NOVEL SERIES, CHECK OUT:
www.michaeljohnhalse.wix.com/michaeljohnhalse
I read through this so fast! I fell in love with the first volume back in January, everything about the series is so beautifully done, the world building (which is set in a far off future where animals have become civilized and able to control magic, albeit a dwindling magic), the artwork, beautifully rendered by Ben Dewey and Jordie Bellaire, the story, written by comic veteran Kurt Busiek, the characters! There's just so much goodness packed into this comic. I've said in previous blogs that I was never really a big comic book fan. As a kid I read a lot of Star Wars comics, but I never really got into any others– mostly because of my dislike of superheroes. I'm also a huge fan of fantasy. Fantasy books, films, television shows, comics, and I never thought I'd find a fantasy comic that was well fleshed out and that did the genre justice. But The Autumnlands has definitely proven that the weight that comes with fantasy stories can definitely be tackled with comics.
Though for as much as I've praised The Autumnlands, I didn't like this second volume as much as the first. I was kind of confused about the plot, it left more questions than answers, and I realize the series is ongoing, but literally nothing was tied up... I was left so confused as to what happened, what was going on, and who these new human characters were. While it was nice to see more of the world of the Autumnlands, including a sheep town in the mountains, which was SO well-done, I missed all the different anthropomorphized animals of the previous volume. There was one little scene that addressed some of the characters from the first volume; a warthog wizard and her giraffe lover, and an owl wizard who served as the main antagonist of the first volume, but that was it. And I missed them! For all the characters in this series, the Great Champion is probably my least favourite. He's the human that's meant to open the well of magic to resupply the dwindling stores of magic. He's just... well, he's not an animal. And in a world populated by anthropomorphized animals, I want to know more about the different animals than a human plunked in the midst.
Still though, this series is definitely one I'll be keeping my eye on and will continue to read as they put out compiled volumes. I definitely recommend checking this one out, especially if you love fantasy and want a rich, detailed story with some of the best artwork I've seen.
-----
FOR MORE BOOK REVIEWS, PHOTOS, AND MY OWN NOVEL SERIES, CHECK OUT:
www.michaeljohnhalse.wix.com/michaeljohnhalse
a_h_haga's review
4.0
This album explored the world in much deeper detail. I found I liked what little we got to know, and the new questions were also interesting — now I just need vol 3...
Compared to book 1, this wasn't as action packed, but I liked that. There was a lot to learn.
The art is still up to speed and awesome.
Compared to book 1, this wasn't as action packed, but I liked that. There was a lot to learn.
The art is still up to speed and awesome.
cloud_cassle's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ethancf's review
5.0
4.5? Not as strong as the first volume, but that's only apparent in the last two sections where the scope of the series widens exponentially. This isn't the series it seemed to be at first, and while I'm on board with the wildly different new direction for now, it isn't exactly what I wanted it to be.
But the art is incredible and there's so much imagination on display here I have to love it. It's well written and paced, good characters, good story. It's a shame it takes so long for the trades to be released, though.
But the art is incredible and there's so much imagination on display here I have to love it. It's well written and paced, good characters, good story. It's a shame it takes so long for the trades to be released, though.
fishmeal's review
3.0
It's refreshing to read a comic where the story progresses quickly and logically, the world-building is laid out clearly, and the characters have believable relationships with each other. To have beautiful artwork on top of all of that is a huge bonus.
The Autumnlands does not have my favorite plot, is not a hugely appealing world to me, and features character designs which are not my style. Still, it does everything enough, all put together, to make a really great book.
If The Autumnlands appealed more to my personal taste I know it would be a favorite. As it is, I highly recommend the first two volumes and am really looking forward to the third.
The Autumnlands does not have my favorite plot, is not a hugely appealing world to me, and features character designs which are not my style. Still, it does everything enough, all put together, to make a really great book.
If The Autumnlands appealed more to my personal taste I know it would be a favorite. As it is, I highly recommend the first two volumes and am really looking forward to the third.