The Autumnlands: Tooth and Claw #3

by Kurt Busiek, Benjamin Dewey & Jordie Bellaire

The poor people of Keneil. Not only did they have to suffer through their floating city falling from the sky and killing most of their friends and loved ones, but now the champion they risked their families and homes for doesn’t seem to be what they were expecting. Now this group of wizards and ordinary townsfolk must deal with the harsh life on the surface with no safe haven to hide them.

Kurt Busiek has already built such a rich world in The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw in just three issues. After the champion’s violent introduction last issue, we actually get a moment to know a small bit of where this man came from. His name is Steven T. Leoroyd, and he is from a world far different from theirs. Busiek is doing such an amazing job of unfolding the story each issue for readers at a gratifying pace. The Autumnlands has really hit its pace with this most recent release. Even though this was an incredibly good issue of The Autumnlands, it left you with an ominous curiosity to read the next.

Benjamin Dewey is absolutely amazing at drawing animals and humanoid animals. What he has done for The Autumnlands with his character designs and attention to detail is a feat to behold. His rich style of art is what gives The Autumnlands such a vast feeling. In fact his art is what gives The Autumnlands‘ story this sense of authenticity. The human being Champion Leoroyd may not look as good as the animal characters, but it’s nothing that noticeable and doesn’t take away from the story. Dewey’s art alone is a feast for the eyes but Jordie Bellaire’s colors take The Autumnlands beyond the realm of beautiful storytelling. You will be hard-pressed to find a series that can come close to The Autumnlands‘ lush world these artists have built.

The Autumnlands has been a stunning fantasy story that readers of any type can take joy in reading. Fantasy, much like horror, is a very niche genre that is hard to attract casual readers. The Autumnlands however, is turning into the type of series that is just so well put together you don’t even notice the boundary of genre.