Valiant Entertainment 2018
Written by Peter Milligan
Illustrated by Robert Gill
Coloured by Jose Villarrubia & Diego Rodriguez
Lettered by Dave Sharpe
The Roman standard – the eagle borne at the front of each Roman legion – was more than just a symbol of the soldiers that carried it... It was a symbol of Rome itself, the ultimate embodiment of the empire's power…But now, in the mist-shrouded Germanic forest of Tottenwald, the unthinkable has happened: A rampaging barbarian horde has crushed three of Rome's most highly skilled detachments in battle… and captured their mighty Roman eagles. His authority threatened by this all-too-public shame, the mad emperor Nero has dispatched Antonius Axia, the empire's finest "detectioner" and hero of Britannia, and Achillia, the sword-wielding champion of the gladiatorial arena, to reclaim his stolen relics at any cost.
This is one of my absolute favourite franchises on stands today. I always look forward to when a new arc comes out, and they don’t come out often enough for my tastes. I remember back in the day when Batman was the world’s greatest detective and he had to use his skills to solve crime now that title should be bestowed upon Antonius. The man is learning to be the world’s first and greatest detective and the influences that he has are helping him do just that. Having his mind opened up to more avenues that simply believing in gods and instead he’s learning how the modern man thinks. It is some of the most fascinating stuff to see unfold if we’re being honest.
The way that this book is structured is fabulous. The opening here is a definite eye catcher I mean as we see the battle unfold and see how the Roman army is caught in a trap by the Germans and the bloodshed that ensues is probably one of the most violently gorgeous displays I have seen in a comic book. I mean what Robert and the guys do here ensures that it captures the mind and imagination of the reader and makes them want to see more. Yes this is a great jumping on point for new readers but then again each arc is and that’s wonderfully done.
Robert and the boys seriously produce some of the most absolutely gorgeous work I have seen from them. The imagery and what it evokes in me as a reader is beyond any kind of expectation one should have. The linework, oh my god, is used in such ways that whether it’s bold or subtle it’s been manipulated to perfection. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off such an impressive eye for storytelling through creativity and imagination. The work is so clean, crisp and full of vibrancy it ignites the page with the past and what might have been.
I am thoroughly enjoying how this story is being told and how Peter not only creates the ebb & flow but how he manages to use the characterisation, which is utterly exceptional, to also engage the story as it moves forward. Nero’s madness is played up superbly and his actions that we see fit in line with what is thought of him through history. Though ask who he was to the 15-26 yo age group and I shudder to think of the responses. Regardless the infusion of historical events melded with the historical fiction that is being created and it reminds me why I loved taking my History classes.
This is so well conceptualised and brought to life that it is one of the joys of reading, comics or books. Having the opportunity to watch the characters grow and evolve surrounded by these gorgeous interiors is why Britannia is always such a pleasurable must have read!