Skybound/Image Comics 2016
Created & Written by Max Landis
Penciled by Giuseppe Camuncoli
Inked by Cliff Rathburn
Coloured by Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Lettered by Pat Brosseau
It’s been a year since the events of last issue. The Knights are living together alone separated from the rest of the world and we see how this isolation has been affecting them. Max does some great characterisation here as proof that sometimes time doesn’t heal all wounds especially those of the heart. Bertwald was ready to leave the Knights and live with the woman he loved when fate came and changed things now we see him lost and confused. While they’ve been isolated like this they haven’t time to heal instead things have been able to fester and i’m really impressed with how Max is able to demonstrate this.
Actually you can see how this has been affecting all of them and it surprises me on some level that they’ve managed to stay together for the year. Thankfully along comes a boy and he’s in need of their services. There’s no denying of this is perfect since they’ve gone stir crazy and are at each other’s throats. He comes for help because a Wizard has been tormenting his home in Green Valley after taking up residency in their woods.
This request comes at a perfect time and while they are divided in their thoughts they four Knights agree to come to Green Valley and face that which is wrong. Though the boys tales don’t exactly ring true in their ears if people are in trouble and they’ve been beseeched for help what else is there for them to do but assist as they can.
Giuseppe’s page layouts here are fantastic. I love the look of the men as individual as their personalities and his attention to detail in their faces giving us that weathered and pained expressions. The flow here is strong and his use of angles, perspective and bleakness of the area really make a stunning impact. Along with Cliff and Jean-Francois the interiors here are so powerful and evoke so much emotion that you can identify with. Then seeing Green Valley and what happens after well let’s just say it’s stunning work.
From devastation, heartache and tragedy a new tale of the Knight lives will arise in Green Valley. Last issue showed us the Knights at their most complacent and comfortable this one shows them at their lowest after that and next we move again to almost a redemption of them and their skills. Rarely do we see so much characterisation such as this in two issues and have the stage set for even more evolution. The four of them are like the Phoenix rising from the ashes to greatness once again, or at least that’s the hope.
Swords and sorcery are about to take on new meaning for the Knights of Kelodia and the stage is set for their most epic adventure yet. As life continues to change and evolve for the men we’ll join them on this journey as the rediscover who they are and their place in this world.