Two months down!
The Autumnlands takes place in a world populated by anthropomorphic animals. Merchants and magicians live in floating cities that sail over the plains, relying on the poorer, stronger animals below for resources. In exchange, they pay them in just enough magic to get by. But magic is failing (and with it, their purchasing power), so a group of magicians performs a ritual to summon a legendary champion and set the world right.
The same hubris that leads to the conclusion that this is a logical way to approach a problem ends up being the greatest threat to the animals’ city. They succeed in summoning their champion, but the magical cost is so high that their city crashes, leaving them at the mercy of those whom they have taken advantage of. Even despite this, their sense of superiority threatens their survival. They don’t even trust their champion, because he is a hairless primate.
Oh, yeah, there’s some Kamandi DNA in this book.
Dewey and Bellaire’s art is detailed and opulent. Even in the wreckage of the floating city, the sense of ostentation pervades. And natural vistas are gorgeous—if often dark and dangerous.
If you’ve been reading Kamandi Challenge and are looking for a similar book with a more nuanced approach to storytelling, Busiek’s got your back with The Autumnlands. I went into it without knowing much about it, but I’m sure I’ll be picking up the second trade, which just came out, soon.
Collected in
- The Autumnlands, Vol. 1: Tooth and Claw (#1-6)
Credits
Writer: Kurt Busiek | Artist: Benjamin Dewey | Colorist: Jordie Bellaire | Letterer/Designer: John Roshell of Comicraft