A wild and original samurai fantasy epic rolled into an action adventure. This 7-part graphic novel series takes place on the planet Tyr, a world reeling from a series of global wars. While everyone tries to resurrect themselves from the ashes of war, civilization is again threatened by the terrifying expansion of the Horde, an army of hive-minded, cybernetic soldiers. Their lightening quick attacks have left Tyr on the verge of another global war.The main focus of their entire military complex is to capture a young Elf named Ardan, who lives tucked away in the secluded forest of Naaspeth. Ardan's peaceful life is interrupted one day when a stranger delivers a message to his Grandparents. That night, Ardan learns that he is the last of the Elves and narrowly escapes an ambush by the Horde. Under the cover of darkness he is taken to the Temple of Ithra, where the great Master Dwarf trains him in the ancient ways of the Samurai. Horde assassins manage to track Ardan down and launch a full-scale assault on the Temple. He fights for his life and is separated from his sensei when an explosion rips through the Temple. He is saved by Keegan Wulfston, an innkeeper's daughter. The two begin their epic journey of discovery as the world around them teeters between hope and annihilation.Step into a world of misunderstood Elves, Rasta cyborg Dwarfs, bounty hunters, alluring heroines, troubled heroes, pirates, and non-stop action. A place inhabited by strange machines and fantastic creatures, where magic and technology live side by side. Welcome to the world of Samurai Elf.
Miguel Guerra is an illustrator and writer, best known for his graphic novel series, Samurai Elf. He has also published short stories in major publications such as Heavy Metal Magazine. His writing skills extend to translating Spanish books and short stories for both Heavy Metal Magazine and NBM Publishing. In November 2007, his new all ages manga series, Alric the Wild!, will be available in stores. Miguel born in Madrid to a Spanish Mother and an American father. He grew up in Spain and later in Canada. He currently resides in New York City with his wife and co-writer Suzy Dias.
Ardan is an elf, the last of his kind, who's being hunted by some bad guys named the Horde. Narrowly escaping an assassination attempt, Ardan seeks refuge at the Temple of Ithra, where he is trained in the way of the samurai by the grumpy, enigmatic master dwarf. When Horde robot ninjas attack the Temple, Ardan runs away, teams up with a sympathetic innkeeper's daughter and sets off to find his destiny. For a fannish mishmash of Star Wars , Lord of the Rings and kung fu movies, this graphic novel feels oddly inert. Guerra's art is carefully rendered, resulting in a clean line and showing a nice command of gray scale and shadow. But he seems more comfortable in the realm of still life and concept art than dynamic motion: his slavish rendering of action scenes robs them of some necessary chaos and life. (Also, a choice to render word balloons as semitransparent is odd and distracting.) Guerra and Dias have clearly taken great pains to develop an alien world, but those pains weigh down the story with exposition exactly when the pedal ought to be pressing to the floor. Guerra and Dias should loosen up and enjoy the playfulness of their premise. (Aug.)
[Page 41]. Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
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