Age of Bronze #32

by Eric Shanower

Among some of the other recent signs that indicate that the world may indeed be ending on December 21st, we have to include the sudden appearance of a new issue of Age of Bronze, the overwhelmingly ambitious and excellent comic by Eric Shanower that tells the story of the Trojan War.  The last issue of this series came out almost exactly two years ago - I had no idea that it had been that long, and was rather surprised by how easily and quickly I was able to get back into the story.

Shanower has slowly and methodically worked his way to the point where the Achaeans, under King Agamemnon, have laid siege to the city of Troy, and have been camped a little ways outside its walls for quite a while now.  In this arc, Betrayal, Shanower has shifted much of the focus of the story to the lovers Cressida and Troilus.  In this issue, as part of a prisoner exchange and temporary truce, Cressida is returned to the custody of her father, Kalchas, among the Achaeans, causing her to leave her lover, Troilus, son of King Priam, in Troy.

Cressida is devastated by this, and finds things even worse when the Achaean kings begin pawing at her.  Scheming Kalchas, meanwhile, tries to find ways to use his daughter to improve his own lowly station, while poor Troilus wallows in his misery.

Not a lot of import happens in this issue; it's a classic 'midway through an arc' kind of book, but it does remind me why I've always loved this title so much.  Shanower's art is fantastic, as he continues to make it easy to differentiate between characters in a cast of almost a hundred.

Another thing that surprised me about this issue is how well-trained I've been by decades of reading serialized stories, to be able to pick up the threads of a plot-line after a gap of two years.  I was shocked to find out it's been so long since the last issue; if asked, I would have guessed only a year.

I can understand why Age of Bronze would be a tough sell, due to its extreme slowness of publication, but I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Age of Bronze #31

by Eric Shanower

It's such a nice surprise to get a new issue of Age of Bronze.  The book is sporadic in its publishing schedule (its been about six months since the last issue), but the quality of this series is so high, I don't mind waiting six months between issues.

For people who aren't familiar with it, Age of Bronze is Eric Shanower's comprehensive and exhaustive retelling of the Trojan War.  We're now at the point where the two sides have entered into a war of attrition.  They continue to hack away at each other daily, and both sides are suffering from a scarcity of resources, although they're doing all they can to conceal that fact from the other.

The Trojans receive aid from a new ally - the Halizonians, including the highly skilled archer riding bareback shown on the cover.  Over the course of this issue, the Trojans acquire an Achean king as their prisoner, and argue how best to take advantage of him.  Their joy is short-lived, as King Priam's advisor Antenor is also captured, and the two sides agree to make an exchange.

Of most interest is the way in which Kalchas, the priest who betrayed the Trojans, asks that his daughter Cressida, who he abandoned in Troy, also become part of the exchange.  Shanower has spent much of this story arc developing the romance of Troylus and Cressida, and this new plan of Kalchas's threatens to tear them asunder.  One of the strengths of this comic is that Shanower balances the majestic battles with lengthy sub-plots featuring minor characters, such as this affair.  It gives the comic an emotional centre, and serves to interrupt the monotony of a war that lasted for years.

Age of Bronze is and incredible comic.  The detail Shanower pours into the plot and the art make it a wonder to read.  If you like historical comics, or that time period, I suggest you check this series out.

Age of Bronze #30

by Eric Shanower

It's been about six months since the last issue of Shanower's epic masterpiece re-telling of the Trojan War appeared on a comics rack, but I have been finding it easier than ever before to dive back into the story, where before I used to find it difficult to keep track of characters.

At this point in the story, the war is raging on slowly in the background, as Shanower turns the spotlight on some of the women of Troy, especially focusing on Cressida, the abandoned daughter of Kalchas, who betrayed Troy to work for its Achaean enemies.  This is about the third issue that has been telling the 'Troilus and Cressida' story, and I have enjoyed the way that Shanower has integrated it into his larger narrative.  The cover is very appropriate, as much of this issue is taken up by Pandarus's efforts and machinations at bringing the two lovers together.

The rest of this issue is concerned with Helen's decision to leave Troy in time for the birth of her child.  There is a great scene in a temple, where we learn a little about the reactions to Helen of the other women of Troy; it's not all that positive.

While I've always found this comic to be interesting, it is the recent shift in focus to the women of Troy that has my attention now.  Women are usually secondary in any telling of this story, which is ironic when you consider Helen's primacy in the whole thing.  It is nice to see so much detail and thought being put into the lives of Trojan women, who suffered so much through that war.

I know it's a tough sell to convince a new reader to pick up a book like this, but Age of Bronze is a brilliant comic, and more people should pick up the trades and give it a try.

Age of Bronze #29

by Eric Shanower

In his text piece, Eric Shanower mentions that he receives very little feedback for the single issues of his sublime Age of Bronze, and that this format is not being read in large numbers. This is a shame. I can understand why people prefer to read a complex book like Age of Bronze in trade - the sheer number of characters and sub-plots to keep track of can be daunting, especially given the length of time between issues.

I know that I prefer to read it as each issue appears. First, I see each new issue as a treat, and a rare one at that. Secondly, I feel it's important to support the individual-issue format. It is still the way I'd rather read any comic.

As to this issue - it's a lot looser and more experimental than the usual issue of Age of Bronze. The issue opens with a couple of songs, which provide a framework to check in on a number of the different characters. He also uses dream imagery in a way that is new to the series. From there, the rest of the issue becomes a montage of battle scenes, interlaced with more domestic scenes of life in Troy and in the Achean camp. In this way, he's able to push us through many months' worth of events, while still being able to develop ancillary plots, like the growing love between Troilus and Cressida.

In all, this is a very strong issue of Age of Bronze, and a nice surprise in this week's pull file.

Age of Bronze #28

by Eric Shanower

It certainly is a treat when an issue of Age of Bronze is published. This book doesn't seem to have a release schedule, but instead appears randomly a few times a year. And whenever it does come out is a time for a small celebration.

Shanower's exhaustive and definitive telling of the Trojan War continues to astound in its attention to detail, both artistically and in terms of story and historical accuracy.

As the war actually heats up, we are treated to a battle outside the walls of Troy. What I found most interesting in this issue is how the women and elders of Troy line themselves up along the ramparts to watch the battle, cheering for their husbands or sons, and grieving openly as they are cut down.

This is a book that often requires two readings to fully absorb, but with each reading, the story can be enjoyed on more levels. The next issue is promised for summer of '09, which is something to look forward to.