Comic Review: Princeless #3

Princeless #3 (December 2011) from Action Lab Entertainment picks up where the previous issue left off with Princess Adrienne being carried upside down with her bloomers showing by her dragon, Sparky. She believes that it is time to find a blacksmith and get some armor that fits her. Instead of finding the smith, she finds his daughter, Bedelia Smith, who shows off her women warrior's collection that includes the sonya, the diana and the warrior princess. The scene and conversation that the two girls have is hilarious. Princess Adrienne convinces her to make something less revealing and more practical for her. After she gets measured, she steps out to get some gold to pay for the armor so she puts on the diana armor that only comes with a rope. Wearing the skimpy armor draws some unwanted attention. Sparky gives her some treasure and on the way back runs into two soldiers that are looking for her. Princess Adrienne manages to defeat the two armed with only a rope before running back into the smith's building, where her new specially made armor is waiting for her. I have to say that the new armor is very cool looking. Princeless #3 gets an A+ just for the introduction of Bedelia Smith and her women warrior's collection of armor.

Comic Review: Princeless #2

Princeless #2 (November 2011) will be available in stores and on Graphicly on November 30, 2011. This issue picks up right after the events of Princeless #1 with Davin sparring with his father when news that his twin sister, Adrienne, was killed by a dragon arrives. He is more upset than his father is and the dragon arrives soon after with a mysterious rider. I will not go into much detail here so not to spoil Princeless #2. I will say that this issue was also worth reading and I give it an A just like I did the first issue.

Comic Review: The Order of Dragonet #5

The Order of Dragonet #5 is written by Jeremy Whitley while Jason Strutz provided the artwork. The issue is published by Firetower Studios and you can order a print or digital copy from their website. The first four issues are also available and they will be collected in a trade later this year.

The issue starts with Merlin talking to a oddball band consisting of what he calls “two knights, a Jew and a Moor who consorts with faeries.” The only one called by name is the black woman named Laverne, who does not like the way that the old mage talks. He considers them the knights of the realm as he tries finds the entrance to the crystal cavern. Once open and inside the cave, they find a large round table with chairs. Merlin admits that Camelot used to stand between Cornwall and Wales.

The Order of Dragonet #5 switches to a group of centaurs enjoying a man that looks like Elton John playing the piano in the woods. An older centaur tells a white-haired man that they have been trapped for centuries. He gets snatched by a mysterious person that says that he is in danger and is going to get him out. The issue shifts scenes again to a blonde fairy looking for the queen. Her sister fairy is watching Shark Week on the tv and seems to enjoy watching the humans getting attacked. There is a little man sitting next to her on a sofa but I cannot what he is. The blonde fairy tells her sister about throwing up on Merlin after drinking some beer.

The issue shifts back to the old mage and the so-called knights. He opens a magical bag but no one is impressed and in fact one of the guys says that it is just special effects. Merlin stuffs his staff in the bag so it appears that it may be a bag of holding. The scene shifts to the old man who bites the mysterious person’s fingers in the woods. He yells for Angus, the centaur that he was talking to earlier, who arrives with his bow at the ready. The mysterious person turns out to be a redheaded woman and we learn that the old man’s name is Patrick. Angus admits that he should go with her because the centaurs practice human sacrifice. She introduces herself as Jenny and he tells her that he is Patrick Tottington, a knight.

Back at the crystal cave, the guy with the thick accent pulls out a magical lute. Merlin tells them that the musical instrument is the weapon that will set England free. The one wearing glasses argues with the old mage that the weapons should be at the lake. Merlin gets very angry and tells him to withdraw his weapon from the magic bag. He is very surprised when the man wearing glasses pulls out a huge sword. The old mage claims that Arthur should have shown up by now and tells the group that their queen is held in a place called the Globe. The knights are about to leave when they find out that it is dawn. They decide to rest and go after the queen that night. Merlin gets a headache and wishes that Arthur would hurry up and arrive. Speaking of the king, the issue ends with him waking up on a boat

I enjoyed The Order of Dragonet #5 even though this was not a good jumping on issue. I have yet to read the first four issues but this issue does make me want to read them. Merlin and Arthur was easily identified but some of the characters are never named. I did like the dialogue especially when Merlin and Patrick were talking. The artwork does take some time getting used to. If you enjoy reading about Merlin in the modern day with some humor thrown in, then you will enjoy this issue. Overall, I give The Order of Dragonet #5 a solid B.

You can view more art by Jason Strutz at Strutz Illustration.

Comic Review: Princeless #1

Princeless #1 (October 2011) is the first issue of a four part mini series that will wrap up by year’s end. Another four part mini series will start shortly after that. Jeremy Whitley is the writer while Mia Goodwin provided the art and colors. Letters and “Mr. Froggy” colors was done by Jung-Ha Kim while the “Mr. Foggy” art was provided by D. E. Belton. Princeless #1 will be published by Action Lab Entertainment and Firetower Studios. The book will be available through Diamond, local comic book shops and at conventions this fall. A preview copy should be made available in time for the San Diego Comic Con.

The issue starts with a young princess named Adrienne finding fault with fairy tale that her mother reads her. She then finds herself in a tower guarded by a female dragon named Sparky about ten years later. She insults a young prince coming to her rescue before the dragon shows up. While the pair battle, Adrienne finds a sword under her bed. She decides to rescue her five older sisters from their towers with Sparky’s help.

The prince that Sparky was fighting with earlier finds his way back to Adrienne’s father, who is not happy with his failed rescue attempts. He claims that he has seven daughters in seven towers guarded by seven mythical beasts. The king even says that Sparky was chosen in hopes that she would be easily slain. He calls his own son, Devin, not worthy to be king since he would rather play dress up. There is more but I do not want to give everything away in this review.

I really like the art and story of Princeless #1 but the characters are what really shine. There are several amusing moments with Adrienne but my favorite are the scenes with Sparky, who has an appetite for princes. This comic book is suitable for all ages and fans of Disney-like fairy tales will get a kick out of it. I give Princeless #1 a solid A.