The Golden Age, Book 1

This sumptuous, epic fantasy from Moreil and Pedrosa (Portugal) unfurls its detailed European-style feudal world drenched in glowing, jewel-like colors; each setting has its own palette of royal purples, misty greens, or autumnal red and gold. The death of a king leaves his kingdom up for grabs, and Princess Tilda, the chosen heir, is forced to flee from a coup with a handful of loyalists. Wandering in exile, she explores the far corners of the kingdom, meeting monastic nuns and bickering peasants, experiencing prophetic visions, and learning of a lost talisman of power and a legendary book about, yes, a golden age. Though constructed from familiar fantasy and fairy tale elements, Moreil’s approach uses the battle between royal heirs to develop a large cast of characters from all walks of life, building a world layered enough to feel real, yet magical enough to transcend reality. The flowing, subtly abstracted art suggests a combination of medieval tapestries, illuminated manuscripts, and Chinese scroll paintings. Every page is gem-studded: ancient forests, bustling city squares, lavish castle interiors, sweeping landscapes. Previously published online in four languages, this ambitious series is poised to join Jeff Smith’s Bone and Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet as an exemplar of high fantasy in graphic form. [em](Feb.) [/em]