ARTESIA BESIEGED #3: AS I LAY DYING

written and illustrated by Mark Smylie

ISBN: 11514-01046

9.5.09

Surrounded by enemies, stabbed in the back, and talking to ghosts.

Artesia is trapped in the city Abenton that is under siege. She was betrayed and stabbed by one of her own men. Now as she lies on her death bed those that went to war with her may have to deal with her passing and how it affects their battle. While in the throes of death Artesia sees many different people alive and dead, including her mother who was burned at the stake, as well as a few goddesses (I think). Her mother tells her that she hasn’t broken the world yet and Artesia awakes to rally her troops back into battle. Using supernatural forces she repels the current attack only to be summoned by the king to answer charges of lust.

I think the coloring really made this book. It looks like watercolor or watercolor penciling. I’m always a big fan of integrating mythology and religion into fiction so that is also a big plus. The only downside, for me, was coming in partway into a story arch. This comic could really turn out to be a sleeper hit.

5 out of 5