The Autumnlands, Vol. 1: Tooth and Claw

Busiek (Astro City) and Dewey (I Was the Cat) bring together high fantasy and brutal science fiction in this lush new series. When a world of anthropomorphic animals is drained of the magic that sustains it, its ruling wizards seek help from the past. The Great Champion—who, according to their legends, first loosed magic into the world—is called forth, only to be revealed as a fur-less, shell-less, scale-less human being from a violent, technologically advanced world. Between bison attacks, savage bats, and shifty trade partners, the Champion and the wizards must put aside their differences if they are to save, or even survive, their crumbling civilization. Dewey’s art is absolutely marvelous, bringing light and life to every exquisitely rendered panel. Busiek’s writing is similarly detailed: despite a hefty cast, plenty of fantasy conceits, and quite a bit of jargon, the world of the Autumnlands never feels overwhelming. The comic’s greatest strength is its characters, and the success of further volumes depends upon Busiek and Dewey’s willingness to invest as much time into their development as possible. A solid fantasy romp for adult readers interested in swords, sorcery, and struggle. [em](July) [/em]