Reviewer: Daron Kappauff
Quick Rating: Excellent as always.
Written by: Ron Marz
Pencils by: Greg Land
Inks by: Jay Leisten
Colored by: Justin Ponsor
Lettered by: Troy Peteri
Editor: N/A
Publisher: CrossGen
Well what can I say; Ron Marz and Greg Land deliver another great issue in what is quickly becoming a classic series. Even though this issue isn’t market as one of CrossGen’s “Key issues,†it is very reader friendly and is a good enough place to jump into the series as any. Besides the recap in the front cover of the book there is enough of the back-story mentioned throughout this issue to help a new reader catch up. That’s not to say that a long time reader will be at all put off by the retelling of old information. Everything in this issue helps to push the story along.
One particular detail worthy of note is a new perspective on the main baddie of the title…Lord Mordath. We’ve never before really understood him as a character. He just seemed to be the typical world conquering, raised from the dead, able to burn people with a touch or at range, type of villain. But for the first time we get to hear some of his back story as told by him to one of his soldiers…before he uses him as a giant match stick that is. I have to admit it’s not the most original back-story, although it’s more the type you see for a hero (in fact it’s not all that different from our story’s protagonist – Arwyn,) but at least we are starting to see what is driving him. I like my villains to have just as much personality and character as my heroes.
Enough about the story, what about the art? Oh, the art…where should I start? Greg Land has to be without a doubt the most underrated, and most likely, underpaid pencilers in the industry. He’s come a long way from his days on Nightwing, and I would have to say he’s probably the best penciler in the business right now. His attention to detail is amazing, his backgrounds are just as majestic as his foregrounds and characters, his understanding of anatomy (human, animal, and bestial) is right on – without over exaggeration, and his facial expressions are filled with emotion.
Don’t get me wrong the rest of the art is amazing as well. Although Drew Geraci will be missed, Jay Leisten has done a great job stepping into Drew’s very big shoes. And of course there’s Justin Ponsor, Sojourn’s colorist. Why this guy isn’t getting nominated for awards like his colleague Laura has, I’ll never know. His coloring is just as good if not even better than hers, yet it seems to go unnoticed.
This title has consistently been one of CrossGen’s best selling titles and it’s clear to me why. The only question is why aren’t more people giving it a try. If you’re a fan of classic fantasy type stories, Sojourn is for you. If you’re a fan of great story telling, Sojourn is for you. If you’re a fan of beautiful artwork, Sojourn is for you. Chances are you fit at least one of these criteria…so do yourself a favor and check out Sojourn, this month’s issue is a great jumping on point, oh and there’s a big surprise for all of you who have been following the series…
