Just over a year ago, the only American comic I was buying with any regularity was Knights of the Dinner Table. Over the last year, I have become a regular reader of comics, and Crossgen was the company that got me into them.
Meridian was one of the original four titles (five, counting [i]Crossgen Chronicles[/i] that Crossgen used to launch themselves, and probably the biggest gamble of them all - a comic aimed at an audience that American comics have traditionally ignored: Girls. But if you're a male, don't let that put you off. Writer Barbara Kesel and the art team have crafted a story that is suited for far more than just young females.
[b]The Story[/b]
The world of Demetria is a fantastic one, containing numerous islands floating in the air, and flying ships used for transport. The islands and ships are kept afloat by a special gravity-defining ore, and came about as the result of a past ecological catastrophe.
Our main character is Sephie, the adolescent daughter of the minister of one of the islands, Meridian, whose old life is suddenly changed when, without warning or explaination, both she and her uncle Ilahn are granted sigils - yin-yang-like marks that grant them powers, the full extent of which is unknown. Ilahn, the minister of another island, Cadador, tries to win Sephie over as his heir, but as Sephie sees the true ruthlessness of her uncle, she flees Cadador, and must eventually gather allies and confront him.
There have been 30 issues published so far. The first story arc lasts 25 issues, and the second arc has been more political, showing the complexities of power, decision making, and having those nominally under you working against your own desires.
Kesel takes more time to develop characters than an action-oriented story would, and this is one of the strengths of the book. Sephie must constantly adjust to new challenges, and even the great powers she develops over the course of the story can't solve all of them. The suppourting cast is diverse and distinctive. And the themes are quite simple to grasp, yet carry a resonance. The book isn't all sweetness and light either - the Torbel sub-arc that sets up the first arc's climax and the constant shadow of the world's creeping ecological degeneration are testament to that.
Thematically, the book puts me in mind of Hayao Miyazaki, and to a lesser extent, Tolkien, especially in the contrast between pastoral Meridian and dirty, industrialised Cadador and Torbel. I read that the original penciller, Josh Middleton, was influenced by Miyazaki, and it shows in the feel established in the book.
[b]The Art
Middleton only worked on the book for the first few issues. His pencilling job was taken up by Steve McNiven, who was originally brought in as a fill-in artist, but impressed so much he was put on the book on a permanent basis (The intended replacement, Greg Land, was put on [i]Sojourn[/i] instead). Both impress, although I personally prefer McNiven's art. Credit also has to go to the coloring of the book and the wonderful soft tones employed, especially in recent issues, which are quite unlike the primary tones in most comics.
[b]The greater universe[/b]
[i]Meridian[/i] is one part of the larger Crossgen universe, but it's not necessary to understand the larger story. I know there has been criticism that these connections make the universe difficult to understand, but I don't see it as being anything less than accessible despite claims to the contrary. There are a few broad concepts that may be helpful, but you certainly won't be hopelessly lost if you only read this title (which seems to be on the periphery of the larger story anyway).
[b]Weaknesses?[/b]
As much as I try to be objective in reviews, it's quite hard to see many weaknesses here. The slow pace may not be for everyone, and when there is an extensive action scene it can start to look somewhat stereotypically superhero-ish (a case in point being near the conclusion of the first story arc), but that's about all I can think of.
[b]Conclusion[/b]
Barbara Kesel and the artists display a great love for the world and characters of [i]Meridian[/i], and the visuals and plotlines are great inspiration for a fantasy game. Thoroughly reccommended.
Individual issues of the comic are US$2.95 each, and the Trade Paperbacks are $15.95 to $19.95. Early next year, Crossgen will be releasing a smaller-sized trade paperback version of this title (page size about the same as a typical paperback novel) for a lower price.
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