Elric: The Balance Lost #1

http://ismellsheep.blogspot.com/2012/01/sheep-comic-review-elric-balance-lost.html

As our readers know, Katie and Danielle are big superhero comic book fans. (Kalpar: Hey, what about me? I like Captain America and Deadpool, that counts, right?) (Sorry Kalpar!) I, on the other hand, tend to prefer the graphic novel adaptations of books. Recently I was browsing at the comic book store looking for something new, and since I didn’t know where to start or how to pick I went with what I know best…sexy men. Yup, I picked two comic books based on the hot guy on the front.

I picked up Elric: The Balance Lost because I have a thing for long white hair and big swords which goes back to my elf fetish. (Kalpar: OH COME ON! Freaking elves. Hate those guys.)(editors, always putting in their two cents...) Anyway, so you readers don’t think of me as a completely shallow girl, I did read the blurb on the back and it is about an Eternal Champion that travels to parallel universes to restore the balance between Law and Chaos. It's a pretty great sci-fi/fantasy theme don’t you think?

This comic is named after the character from the novel Stormbringer, by Michael Moorcock, but writer Chris Roberson wanted to create an epic tale including the many champions Moorcock wrote about in his series. All these characters fight to restore the balance of Law and Chaos throughout the time and space of the Multiverse, and sometimes these characters find themselves fighting on opposite sides of the battle. Chris Roberson says there will be cameos and Easter eggs for longtime fans of Moorcock, but those new to the Multiverse won’t feel lost.

This first issue introduces us to four heroes who all come from different times and worlds. Even if they don’t realize the role they will be playing in the fate of the Multiverse, the heroes are very aware that there is an imbalance happening in their world and they must do something to stop it. The comic skips around between the four separate stories, giving us a glimpse into their personalities and life choices that will determine if they fight for Law or Chaos.

At this point only Elric is aware of his role as the Eternal Champion and he has dropped into a world of monsters and zombies that is on the verge of breaking down into “primordial chaos”. The reader learns about how he travels between the parallel universes which make up the Multiverse and the power of his soul sucking sword Stormbringer (I really want one by the way). Elric is my kind of hero: soul-weary from his eternal quest and hoping for an end to it, not to mention long white hair and mad sword killing skills.

love a man with a sword who isn't afraid to use it!

I am intrigued by the story arc and appreciate the different panel layouts for each character which adds to the atmosphere. For example Elric gets many full page panels, while other panels convey order or chaos. I wouldn’t call the artwork beautiful, but it is colorful and engaging and worth a look. There is also lots of monster killing action! I also enjoyed the Afterward written by Neil Gaiman as he talks about the influence Moorcock had on who he is today. It is too early in the story arc to know if it will be worth following, but so far I like what I see.

see? I told you he was sexy!

*And you can check out a free 10 page prelude to issue #1 over atelriccomic.com

4 Soul-Stealing Sheep

SS (edit and snark by BAK)