Farlight Saga Ethos #2

From the Random Stack of Unread Comics.

Title: Farlight Saga Ethos
Issue: 2
Publisher: Nemonet Studios / Tears Under Starlight
Date: July, 2006
Writer: Jared Koon
Artist: Sarah Hebblethwaite
Colorist: Sarah Hebblethwaite
Letterer: Jared Koon
Cover: Sarah Hebblethwaite, Jean-Francois Beaulieu

I read the third issue of this series almost two years ago (review here), and only just managed to dig this issue out of the Random Stack of Unread Comics. Not sure if I have any more around.

The story in this issue mainly focuses on the human messenger Quinn and his soranae (a mysterious species of reptilian humanoids) companion Nemesio. They have encountered the remains of a series of battles fought on the edge of the forest home of the ra'th (a mammalian humanoid species with tails). There are human and ra'th casualties at several sights, but an investigation deeper into the woods finally turns up a ra'th survivor.

When the survivor panics and tries to run, even more destruction is revealed.

This issue did a nice job of focusing (aside from one scene) on the relationship between Quinn and Nemesio as they investigate the deepening mystery only to uncover further signs of carnage and destruction. There is a bit of background given that provides some necessary worldbuilding without detracting from the progress of the story.

Overall, this had excellent pacing, good character design, and provided some needed setup for the continuing story.

Rating: 7.5/10

Farlight Saga Ethos #3

From the random stack of unread comics. No idea where I got this one. We had an internet outage for part of the weekend, so I missed doing a review yesterday. So as far as the goal of finishing the stack before we leave for the US, I have (after reviewing this comic) 25 days, and 23 comics to go, plus two graphic novels I've checked out of the school library that will need to be returned by next Friday.

Title: Farlight Saga Ethos
Issue: 3
Publisher: Nemonet Studios / Tears Under Starlight
Date: July, 2006
Writer: Jared Koon
Artist: Sarah Hebblethwaite
Colorist: Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Letterer: Jared Koon
Editor: Kris Simon
Cover: Sarah Hebblethwaite

A pair of wilderness messengers encounter the remnants a ra'th (a tribal, woodland species with tails) village that has been burned by raiders. They attempt to comfort the one survivor, but her hatred of all humans has left her unwilling to accept their offer of aid.

This had a classic fantasy feel to it. The events of this issue focused on the aftermath of the devastating raid, and the story did a nice job of taking its time to explore the feelings of the characters as they respond to the tragic situation. Some flashbacks helped to develop the characters, and a very emotional confrontation set the stage for the continuation of the story.

The setting for this story uses a lot of familiar fantasy tropes, but it is developed in a nice level of detail, and it makes good use of familiar themes to set up a story with plenty of internal as well as external conflict.

Rating: 7.5/10