ADVANCE REVIEW! Ravine vol. 2

Has Ravine vol. 2 been worth the wait? Read on to find out.

The official description from Top Cow:

THE HIT FANTASY EPIC CONTINUES! The balance of power in the kingdom of Palladia is threatened, as schemers plot to overthrow the rightful king. Amid this turmoil, a sorcerer named Stein Phais and a dragon rider named Lynn de Luctes are Wanderers, blessed with great power and destinies that can shape the fate of nations. How long will it be before they are drawn into the conflict?

The long wait is finally over as Ravine vol. 2 comes to our comic stores this Wednesday. Having had it’s release date changed time and time again it’s easy to see why fans have become agitated, but as the old saying goes, “good things come to those who wait.” That couldn’t be more true with Ravine vol. 2, with this outstanding second outing making the first look mediocre (which it certainly wasn’t). Having establishes the premise of the story in the first volume, the writers waste little time in getting this one of the ground, as though we’re eased in with another flashback, the story quickly returns to that gripping cliffhanger that the first volume ended on.

Though the first volume was far from perfect, with it’s introduction feeling a little confused and disjointed, Stjepan Šejić and Ron Marz managed to create something extremely thrilling. Continue to deliver all the positive qualities from the first arc, and none of the negatives, the duo take Ravine to new heights, with this chapter being simply phenomenal. The narration of Šejić and Marz’ script is once again wonderful, being very immersive, with the transitioning between setting allowing the story to keep a fresh dynamic. The thing that really grabbed my attention in this volume was the chemistry between Stein and Lynn, with the dialogue shared between both characters being very fluid, and utterly gripping. I also loved how the writers teased at what kind of person Stein really was, with his manipulative nature allowing for a more mysterious vibe.

Having showcased a new style of art in the latter half of Aphrodite IX and Death Vigil I was curious as to whether we’d get the same here, or if Šejić would return to his former style. Gladly the later proves to be the case, as though I’ve become a fan of his current style, it would feel plain wrong otherwise. Much like the first volume Šejić produces some of his best work ever, with his lavish layouts and wondrous creature designs once again standing out. The detail of his art also continues to mesmerize, with everything from the glorious scenery, to the character costumes catching the eye. The choice of colours from Šejić also as ever captivate, with his painted art oozing with beauty.

Ravine vol. 2 takes the concept that Šejić created and takes it to a whole new level. Though the wait may have been a bit longer than expected, this marvellous graphic novel oozes quality, with both art and story mesmerizing. Simply put there is nothing negative that I can criticise this book for, and due to that it comes highly recommended.