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Posted on Nov 20, 2003 - 04:43 AM by Admin |
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It’s rare these days to find a comic book that you simply can’t put down. It’s even more rare to find a miniseries that you can’t put down! Castle Rain Entertainment’s Jestercrow is just such a rarity! One of The Fan Man’s greater finds, Jestercrow is an original, creative fantasy free-for-all that has all of the makings of a modern comic book epic!
For awhile now, I have been one of those Comic Fanatics who will pick apart an issue of Previews looking for something new and different. I spend most of my time searching through the “independent” section of Previews, where I came across Castle Rain Entertainment’s Jack The Lantern miniseries.
Jack The Lantern had a cool look and a story that struck me as something original and different. After picking up the first three issues of the Jack The Lantern miniseries, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the story was far better than I could have ever suspected. I was also surprised to discover that Jack The Lantern wasn’t Castle Rain Entertainment's first outing in the world of comic books. Since Jack The Lantern was so good, I had to check out what else Castle Rain Entertainment had published.
Before Jack The Lantern, Castle Rain Entertainment had published a comic book called Jestercrow. Almost immediately, with a name like that, you would expect this book to be a little different, and you wouldn’t be wrong. Jestercrow is one of the most original comic books I’ve read in ages.
Writer Michael Angelos originally introduced Jestercrow in a limited edition back in 1997. The larger printing of Jestercrow #1 saw the light of day in 2000, followed by the second and third issues. Thanks to Angelos, I was able to get my comic book loving hands on this miniseries. Once I had Jestercrow in my hands, I couldn’t put it down!
Jestercrow is set in a another dimension on a world called Zerra Mia. Jestercrow is a member of a group of protectors known as the Ves’Da’Va Order. This Order has agreed to form a secret, elite group set up by the Quindarin Heirachy, in hopes of keeping balance between the other Races and to prevent another Great War. However, as with all great epics, something doesn’t go according to plan.
As the days go by, Jestercrow begins to question why so many beings are dying for their way of life. Once Jestercrow voices his concerns, his life is changed forever. Suddenly, Jestercrow is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, branded a traitor to his own people, and his students are handed over to those who have betrayed him! To make matters worse, Jestercrow is banished without the chance to prove his innocence.
After time goes by, Jestercrow’s life takes another dramatic turn just when he has become accustomed to his solitude. Jestercrow is summoned from his banishment to return for a special mission. This special mission requires Jestercrow to work side by side with those who betrayed him and his former students who believe that their former teacher is a traitor or worse.
Jestercrow and his erstwhile allies have been called together to seek out the Zoev Staff, which supposedly will bring a new, everlasting peace. In fact, with the Zoev Staff there would be no need for Jestercrow or other members of the Ves’Da’Va Order. With the Zoev Staff, Jestercrow would finally be able to go home and live with his people in peace. However, as with many other great epics, this is not Jestercrow’s destiny.
This miniseries features some truly unique and cool looking characters, the least of which is Jestercrow himself. Characters you will immediately take to include the tiny Lahey, Orion, Nester, Lekos and my personal favorite, the checkerboard-faced Kinz. Angelos does a fantastic job of relating these characters to the reader in the matter of just a few pages in the first issue of this miniseries, making Jestercrow’s betrayal all the more shocking for the reader.
Angelos must have spent a long time setting up this particular universe. The first issue of this miniseries features a two page intro that chronicles the history of this dimension leading up to the beginning of this story. Angelos goes into great detail to explain not only the setting of this dimension, but also the Order’s role in this dimension. Read these two pages, and you are immediately sucked into the tale and begin to think “epic.” There are some history books that don’t go into this much detail!
This miniseries is filled with tons of original ideas not seen anywhere else in comics, from weapons to means of transportation. The Ves’Da’Va Crow Order is able to travel by using a device called an Opla, which channels and releases their soul energy. This allows the Order to travel long distances, with the help of an ancient, mystical energy form called the Crossing.
Jestercrow is also worth checking out for its artistic credentials. Jestercrow #1 features some of the earliest artwork of former JSA artist Stephen Sadowski. Even here, you can tell that Sadowski would soon be a big name in comics. Jestercrow #2 features the impressive artwork of Janine Johnston and Scott Lee, who also illustrates Jestercrow #3. Lee should be a familiar name. He’s the artist who kicked off Castle Rain Entertainment’s Jack The Lantern miniseries.
While I really enjoyed the black and white art of Jestercrow, it’s the story that roped me in. Angelos delivers one of the most creative comic books that I have read in decades. Angelos packs in enough story, adventure and action in three issues that many comics couldn’t pull off in 12 or more issues. And I will warn you, Jestercrow is engrossing. I picked up the first issue at 5am after a long night of writing and posting new reviews on The Comic Fanatic.Com. I thought that I would read one issue before dozing off. An hour later, I was putting down the third issue and longing for a fourth issue!
Jestercrow is an epic tale that reads like a Hollywood blockbuster. You will get into this tale, read it, finish it and immediately want more. Just as Tolkien’s The Hobbit set the stage for an even greater epic with The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, Jestercrow reads like an amazing warm up to an even bigger main event. Call it a teaser or a taste of what’s to come, the possibilities for Jestercrow are immense and endless. Ironically, one of the phrases used by the characters in this miniseries to describe an amazing event is "Epic." Coincidence? I think not!
I have to admit that writing this review is kind of a selfish act. I’m hoping that many Comic Fanatics who like deep fantasy comics will contact Michael Angelos at Castle Rain Entertainment wanting to read this miniseries. After reading this miniseries, I hope these same fans will once again contact Angelos and want to know when the Jestercrow saga will continue, because I’m dying to see how this saga plays out!! Angelos has already stated that for the time being he will be focusing on Jack The Lantern. So come on, folks! Buy this miniseries, read it and pester Angelos until we get more Jestercrow! No jest! You won’t be disappointed! This one will leave you crowing!
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You can find back issues of Jestercrow, as well as Jack The Lantern at Castle Rain Entertainment's website.
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