A new epic tale not unlike the Odyssey arrives in comic shops this week and it goes by the name The Forgotten Blade. From TKO Studios, it’s one of two graphic novels released by the publisher who tends to keep their release schedule limited, but of high quality. That includes The Forgotten Blade, which might be my favorite fantasy utilizing the Hero’s journey in some time.
Written by Tze Chun with art by Toni Fejzula, The Forgotten Blade is a compelling action-adventure story that is part fantasy (think magical items), part sci-fi (think energy sword), and part fable (a lead character named Noa guides our hero). There are many more examples of these elements throughout the book.
The story opens on Ruza the Unwashed fighting for the church and beating their greatest enemy. Smash cut to fifteen years later, and the world is no better off now that the church is in full control. Ruza cares not, though, as he drowns himself in the equivalent of alcohol.
Soon, Ruza meets Noa, a Shamaness who has a vendetta towards god. Yes, she asks Ruza to join her in a quest to kill a god. God in this story is different from the Judeo-Christian idea of God, which we learn early on with an interesting creation myth. This god gains its powers from five rivers, with each river tied to a bodily function. The hope is to vanquish this all-controlling entity to free the people. Early on we learn the church’s credo is to exist for one reason: To help people help themselves. Too bad there’s a wandering sword bearer who is just bored enough to help kill their establishment.
Check out that slick move with the hammer!
Credit: TKO
Along the way, Noa and Ruza encounter incredible creatures like the Pain Bodies, an entity that absorbs those who have lost their way. The bulbous fleshy creature painfully draws people into itself in a horrific display. “Misery loves company,” Ruza says. And so begins an adventure that’s filled with inventive ideas in a fantasy landscape that feels wholly real.
The visual originality of this world is thanks to Fejzula, of course, as he creates a dry, red, scarred world for the characters to live in. The skies seem caked in dust no matter where Ruza and Noa trek and there’s an incredibly organic nature to environments and even buildings. A city Ruza lives in at the start is reminiscent of a beehive, for instance, as it has angular buildings as if made from the sands of time. The architecture in this book alone is worth the price of admission.
There are familiar themes through the narrative, which makes it easier to jump into the fantasy world. They are twisted and turned just enough to feel original, though. The lone swordsman trope is evident from the start with Ruza, and you can guess his offputting nature and desire to help no one but himself will be shed once we reach the story’s end. Christian themes are present too, like monks and the general idea that the church really doesn’t care for any one of us. Ultimately this is a narrative about how the church grows too big for anyone’s message, ideal, or even savior. It then naturally becomes too evil for its own good as it attempts to maintain power and subjugate.
Letters by Jeff Powell are also quite good. Word balloons tend to have an edge to them or a not-so-clean line that adds to the bite of the words. They also have a bit of shadow which lifts them off the page ever so slightly.
The Forgotten Blade is without a doubt one of my favorite graphic novels of the year if not of the last five years. The visuals are astounding, naturalistic, and gorgeous. The story and its message are strong, keep you on the edge of your seat, and serve a purpose. The Forgotten Blade captures your imagination with dazzling fantasy art and ideas.
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