Brath #11by Katherine KellerReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 8 I first picked up Brath out of my love for fantasy. I found the first few issues good, but not great, fantasy stories, but the interesting mix of Conan meets I, Claudius with a pinch of Gladiator kept me pleasantly entertained."It's Chuck Dixon," I said to myself, "a good, but not great writer." But something strange happened over the last half-year. Brath has moved into the top of my reading pile. What I once dismissed as little more than obvious pastiche has become of the most looked for comics in my pull box each month. Perhaps it's the fact that Dixon, writing on a low print comic that not many people read, a comic that doesn't have acres and acres of continuity for him to wade through, and, other than having to throw the obligatory sigil reference in to the kind of story where being marked by the gods actually works, having a fair amount of creative freedom, is quietly telling what's quickly turning into a great story. What's making this story arc so effective is that Dixon is taking the time to show all of the pieces on the playing field and how they interact with each other. We've had issues that focus largely on Brath's captivity and the I, Claudius style intrigues of the imperial family, issues that focus mainly on Brath's wife as she tries to survive now that her husband is far away and she's being hunted by the clan that betrayed hers. Issue #10 focused on Brath's life as a gladiator (and was a great character study of the lengths he will go to protect those who serve under his leadership.) Issue #11 makes no mention of Brath, his wife, or the imperial family. It takes place in Ureland and focuses on the fate of the Mac Dools, the clan that betrayed Brath's Mac Garens. Divide and conquer. Vinn Mac Dool and his clan are now allied to the empire and are the most powerful clan in Ureland, but this power comes with a price. They're now pikers (aka "cannon-fodder") for the empire. The empire wants to subjugate yet another tribe called the Hain, a people even less "civilized" than the Urelanders — the "barbarian" Urelander tribes consider the Hain "barbarians". On a certain level it mirrors the narrative of the first issue, in which a legionaire talked about the trouncing his troops received at the hands of the Mac Garens. This issue focuses on Vinn Mac Dool and the trouncings the Mac Dools take at the hands of the Hain. There are no "good guys"; there are no "bad guys", just a many threaded tale and an author who respects his audience's intelligence enough to take time in exploring all the aspects of it. The art and coloring on Brath have always been superb. This issue is the second one done by guest artist Alcatena and it is beautiful to look at. Alcatena's first issue took place in the imperial capital and every line was crisp and clear and several panels looked like beautiful woodblock carvings. This issue takes place out in the back forty of the empire and ever the master artist, Alcatena has adjusted his style to suit — the inks are muddier and bolder. Colorist Jason Keith has also colored the issue delightfully. Gone are the colors one finds in the imperial capital. Out in the woods we have earth tones and greens. He also keeps his style minimalistic for this issue, which suits both the story and the art perfectly. At the end of the day, Brath is one of the better fantasy comics on the market. Dixon is proving himself adept at the first rule of great drama: start small and build. Written: January 12, 2004
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