The word epic gets thrown around a lot. But in terms of Edenwood, creator Tony S. Daniel is really going for a proper epic — like a much bloodier, Revolutionary War-inspired Lord of the Rings (or kinda like Deadwood meets The Man with the Iron Fists meets Buffy). And like any actual epic, there’s high and valleys galore as this book builds toward its ultimate destiny.
Issue #1 was simple enough in its scope: young Rion sets about being a demon killer in the ongoing war between the witches and the demons — which takes place in a magical realm called Edenwood that’s supplanted much of the American Midwest.
Courtesy of Image Comics.
Issue #2, however, adds all new strata and layers to this story. It’s a process that shows the sheer depths of the book’s main conflict, Rion’s larger purpose, and the roles some other companions play. To some extent, it can feel a tad overwhelming, as each new character or bit of added lore makes you feel like you’ve forgotten some important tidbit of information. On the other hand, Daniel has layered this story in such a way that it demands your attention — with lots of influences blended together to forge a really novel take on classic fantasy. If you can overcome some of that initial shock — I seriously suggest taking notes — it’s ultimately just about our hero Rion and his development amid this utterly rich world.
And, sure, that’s not exactly the most novel part of this whole world, but that consistency and familiarity is a powerful buoy as you tackle the many pockets of this larger story. On the upside, things are explained well enough and without feeling similarly overwhelming, and the dialogue doesn’t just convey essential points but lots of emotion and character background and history.
Courtesy of Image Comics.
In terms of how the actual second chapter develops beyond, “I need to use different markers to track some of this stuff,” there’s really compelling stuff here. The biggest thing (amid a really big issue) is the interplay between the fantasy of Edenwood and the remaining parts of our world — that culture clash, as it were, feels inventive enough for the genre (and also gives us a solid bit of reality to rest and build upon). Again, Rion’s whole role in this tale — it involves a magic book and demon-smashing super-monsters, basically — isn’t entirely inventive.
But, yet again, that’s entirely the point: there’s so much more depth and texture across this book, which reworks and remixes fantasy and horror tropes in new ways, that a little predictability helps as this book balances so many dang ideas and aspirations. Plus, the fact that Rion isn’t the singular focus, and we get bits from other characters (including some really interesting friends re-emerging following the events of #1) helps extend the scope of this book and inject more humanity amid its heavy-duty campaign building.
Courtesy of Image Comics.
But if you ever find yourself truly lost, just spend some extra time gawking at the visuals. Because Daniel (alongside colorist Leonardo Paciarotti) has worked especially dutifully to perfect the look of this world — in a series of efforts that somehow outpaces even the complexity of this book’s lore. As a baseline, Daniel’s style works really well to draw in the ’90s-style energies that makes this book more approachable and even seemingly more feasible.
From there, though, there’s some genuinely great achievements and statements from a visual standpoint. The gore remains impactful but tastefully done, and that delights the eyes while keeping us focused on the human elements of this story. The design of the demons featured also blurs certain lines (like biopunk but also LOTR-like fantasy), and that bit of extended novelty is important in cementing this book’s identity and daring approach to the genre. The witches have a tinge of Witchblade-ian drama and appeal — again, another familiar “landmark,” as it were, but done in a way to feel fresh and vital. And, of course, there’s plenty of great set pieces and action —like dudes being ripped apart! — that dot this moment of massive world-building with more insanity and celebratory violence.
Courtesy of Image Comics.
All together, these “decisions” actually further extend and ground the narrative’s work, and give us the kind of dynamic energy and engagement needed as we keep up with the story’s brick-by-brick universal creation. In some ways, having that visual wonder draws out these ideas and concepts in a way that feels more fundamentally digestible — several times I actually found my bearings by revisiting a scene a few times if only initially for the sheer brutality and/or beauty. If you can make a scene with a headless chicken feel emotionally resonant, then you’re 1) doing your job and 2) balancing story and art in a way that understands the dynamic and executes it all in the name of entertainment and enlightenment.
Edenwood #2 plays out like a really intense fever dream, complete with time jumps and a beautiful woman whispering secrets into your ear. But it’s also a fever dream that feels deeply real, and Daniel and company balance so many goals and accomplishments to keep us emerged in this increasingly complex, perpetually vivid world. Take the effort to inject yourself into this proper epic, and you’ll find something that’s wonderfully nerdy, increasingly poignant, and chock full of intrigue and mystery (and stabbings). It may not be easy, but then a really good book shouldn’t be, right?
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