My thanks to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for an advance copy of this graphic novel that takes place in a dystopian future, of fighting, power struggles, heroes following their destiny and destiny going in different directions.

When I was young I loved going with my parents to all the tag sales and flea markets they could travel to. I found great books and even better great comics. Stuff one couldn't find at the pharmacy or the newsstand, this being the days before comic book stores were easy to get to. So much treasures, and well so much porn. This is where I found comics from Europe. Different in almost every way from the stuff I was reading. Few superheroes, lots of fantasy, crazy science fiction, and well lots of porn. This opened my mind in a lot of ways to what comics could do and what stories to tell. I love when I find stories that remind me of those days, big sprawling stories that go to different places, ask more of the reader than usual. And like this comic deliver big. Blade Forger is written by Roy Miranda with writing and art by his brother Inaki Miranda and colors by Eva de la Cruz, and tells of a future where elections are decided by sword battle, battles that defy magic and technology, and can lead to great things for the masses, or to heartbreak and dictatorship.

Corum is the most powerful power source ever discovered, one that has caused war, death destruction and destitution for most of the planet in digging and fighting over it. To keep the peace the leaders have decided on a unique way of deciding governmental authority. A sword battle, every 5 years, the winner becoming Emperor, and with the title comes absolute rule, and power over Corum. These battles involve magic and powers not held by normal people, but by Blade Forgers. One has risen through the ranks, beholden not to powerful families, but to the people. Owada. The target of assassinations, a threat to the ruling core. And one destined to win. Though what happens after that is subject to change, and could destroy everything.

A big sprawling story, that changes tracks more than a few times. One that is violent as one expects, but also much sadder. The world is interesting, the Corum makes for great powers and sword battling, and the plot, and the plotting of various characters really make for an story that really keeps moving. The telling of the tale is a tad disjointed, but the more one reads the more one understands. I enjoyed the mix of technology, the planes in the sky in what looks like a dystopian hellscape, the battles, the excitement of pople being around Owada. The art is really good, clean lines, good backgrounds, characters that appear bigger than life, and in a few cases evil from the get-go. I can imagine that it is hard to write with a sibling, but the writing works well with the art, and vice versa. A very good looking book.

I enjoy European comics and really dug this one. I don't think I know the creators, and will have to change that. The art is really good, with a lot of panels that keep a person from flipping away, just to see everything tucked away in it. A story I want to know more about, and that I am excited to read more.