Reviews

Artesia Volume 1 by Mark Smylie

blerdgirlromance's review

adventurous dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

If you can ignore the fact that Artesia can never seem to wear a pair of pants (it was the 90's after all, LOL!) this was an engrossing work of epic fantasy storytelling blending various European, North African, and Near Eastern mythologies into a tale of war, magic, treachery, and honor. I crushed the first four issues in one day and finished the next two in another and even found myself going back over scenes to take in little elements I missed.

If you love warriors AND witches, why not meld the two? And Mark Smylie did a fantastic job. I can't wait to plunge into the battle for the Highlands again and am anxious to see Artesia evolve in her strength as she comes to accept the divine power given to her. 

Onto Volume 2!

ethanjpollard's review

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

thiagodevecque's review

Não curti. A história é densa demais e nos é apresentada de modo vago. Fiquei perdido com a menção de dezenas de deuses e lugares logo no começo, enquanto a protagonista luta, conversa com espíritos e arma intrigas das quais eu não faço a menor ideia de que se tratam. Não sei quais são seus objetivos ou suas motivações.

Esse é o mal de histórias com glossário -- é quase certo ser bombardeado com um monte de termos desconhecidos e precisar interromper a leitura para checar esse apêndice. Não funciona pra mim.

greymalkin's review

3.0

Very enjoyable and cool to see women in positions of power without entirely doing away with gender roles and the attitudes that come from that. I wish the main heroine was not *quite* so all-powerful but perhaps that is addressed in future installments. Art and world building are excellent so far. It would have really helped to have a bit more history/context before plunging into the thick of things. I found the descriptions of the pantheon at the back of the graphic novel to be helpful but the use of multiple names made even that only somewhat useful. I imagine I'll get into the swing of all the names soon, it just feels compressed due to the limited word space in a comic vs regular book.

It feels like what Game of Thrones should have been but wasn't because George RR Martin can't write a female character. Looking forward to reading the next ones!

nightxade's review

4.0

Artesia is an epic, Eisner-award nominated masterpiece of story and art. The world, its people and its pantheon are so richly detailed, but as the title says, this story is about Artesia. What an incredible character she is, embodying all aspects of the female, from priestess to warrior to daughter to sister to concubine and eventually, reluctantly, queen. As both concubine, priestess and captain to the king, Artesia begins the story obviously wielding a lot of power and influence. Even the gods have touched her and those that follow her do so out of the purest respect. She may seem too perfect, which is exactly why certain people want to see her brought down. But the conflict they bring is only part of her struggle. The inner journey that she takes as she struggles to accept all that is thrown at her, and more importantly, all that is expected of her, whether she wants it or not, is beautifully depicted in word and images.