Post by Crom-Cruach on Oct 30, 2010 17:16:40 GMT -5
Welcome to the second on my series on reviews 
As promised in my first review of the Magdalena mini-series: Blood Divine. My second review will be of the trade-paper back to the first necromancer trade-paper back, that is Necromancer: Book 1
So on with my ramblings ;D
What the fuck is this?
Necromancer is a series set in the Top Cow universe. Necromancer:Book 1 details the origins of Abigail Van Alstine, published in a 6 issue mini-series, who's tragic discovery of her sorcerous abilities leads to the disastrous death of all her family and friends and the subsequent events such as meeting he who would become her new master, the mage David Locke. Her slow initiation in the subtler dangers of the mystical world at her new school and her meeting of those that would become her new friends.
The story and characters were created and written by Joshua Ortega and drawn by Francis Manapul.
The Good:
Excellent narration first off. The story is told using flashbacks starting from the beginning and following the events leading up to the point where the main characters is with opening scene. Then shows what happened afterward and how she defeated the demon Berzelius.
As an introductory story, it is surprisingly well thought out with well placed detail that keep the reader wanting to see the story to the end. Also those details leave just the right hints and question that Top Cow's sorcerer world is really worth exploring more. Something that so far, I'm sorry to say was lacking in other top cow series like Witchblade, Darkness etc.
Also, I was pleasantly surprised at how dark a tone the magic was given. It was very refreshing to see a young's character's first foray into magic written in such a tragic manner. The demons really felt like demons as well, which is something that strangely enough many comics lack when they use those types of entities. I liked that the magic wasn't treated as some childish wish fulfilment fantasy for some young social reject like in other stories I didn't like *cough* Harry Potter *cough*
The Bad:
I'm not that big a fan of Manapul's art. It's by no means bad or anything close to it. But it's a manner that, to me is unsuited for more gory events and his drawing doesn't do things like wounds and blood very well, to me at least. The same can be said of the subtler aspects of drawing details in faces such as tears etc.
The Score:
I give this a solid 4 out of 5. This is a trade I recommend everyone to read and buy. Plus the book opens into interesting characters that really haven't gotten any of the screen time they deserve since this series came out. Since it came out. Abigail's only appearances have been in a short story for Top Cow Pilot season and a guest appearance in the latest Witchblade story. Top Cow's sorcerers have never received much development either. Thus both are excellent reasons why I encourage everyone to buy this.
Necromancer needs to come back in her own series. Top Cow's universe is only enhanced by richer detailing of it's foggier aspects. And sorcery is one portion of their universe that is foggy.
As promised in my first review of the Magdalena mini-series: Blood Divine. My second review will be of the trade-paper back to the first necromancer trade-paper back, that is Necromancer: Book 1
So on with my ramblings ;D
What the fuck is this?
Necromancer is a series set in the Top Cow universe. Necromancer:Book 1 details the origins of Abigail Van Alstine, published in a 6 issue mini-series, who's tragic discovery of her sorcerous abilities leads to the disastrous death of all her family and friends and the subsequent events such as meeting he who would become her new master, the mage David Locke. Her slow initiation in the subtler dangers of the mystical world at her new school and her meeting of those that would become her new friends.
The story and characters were created and written by Joshua Ortega and drawn by Francis Manapul.
The Good:
Excellent narration first off. The story is told using flashbacks starting from the beginning and following the events leading up to the point where the main characters is with opening scene. Then shows what happened afterward and how she defeated the demon Berzelius.
As an introductory story, it is surprisingly well thought out with well placed detail that keep the reader wanting to see the story to the end. Also those details leave just the right hints and question that Top Cow's sorcerer world is really worth exploring more. Something that so far, I'm sorry to say was lacking in other top cow series like Witchblade, Darkness etc.
Also, I was pleasantly surprised at how dark a tone the magic was given. It was very refreshing to see a young's character's first foray into magic written in such a tragic manner. The demons really felt like demons as well, which is something that strangely enough many comics lack when they use those types of entities. I liked that the magic wasn't treated as some childish wish fulfilment fantasy for some young social reject like in other stories I didn't like *cough* Harry Potter *cough*
The Bad:
I'm not that big a fan of Manapul's art. It's by no means bad or anything close to it. But it's a manner that, to me is unsuited for more gory events and his drawing doesn't do things like wounds and blood very well, to me at least. The same can be said of the subtler aspects of drawing details in faces such as tears etc.
The Score:
I give this a solid 4 out of 5. This is a trade I recommend everyone to read and buy. Plus the book opens into interesting characters that really haven't gotten any of the screen time they deserve since this series came out. Since it came out. Abigail's only appearances have been in a short story for Top Cow Pilot season and a guest appearance in the latest Witchblade story. Top Cow's sorcerers have never received much development either. Thus both are excellent reasons why I encourage everyone to buy this.
Necromancer needs to come back in her own series. Top Cow's universe is only enhanced by richer detailing of it's foggier aspects. And sorcery is one portion of their universe that is foggy.
