Sovereign #1 kicks off a creator owned series from Chris Roberson and Paul Maybury. The general idea seems to come from the onslaught of sword and sorcery shows like Game of Thrones, Vikings or the recent 300 sequel. Penned by Roberson, Sovereign is not the easiest first issue to follow. This inaugural issue is split into three sections, one dealing with the mystical, one dealing with the physical, and one with the intellectual. How all this ties together, or what the hell is actually going on – well, that’s seriously unclear right now.
Opening with a wandering group of what could be mystics, the three travelers find a series of slaughtered bodies. Among the travelers is a large man covered with a cowl named Paladin, a masked woman named Sister Ren, and an old man called Father Griffon, who appears to be the leader. Paladin wants to leave the bodies and move on, while Sister Ren and Father Griffon claim a need to tend to the bodies. Problem is, the dead have been possessed by demons. It’s clear that Sister Ren has mystical powers, while Paladin is possessed of the skill to kill their enemies.
The second section deals with a hunt for a massive beast. Heading it up is Janramir, a young prince who looks to shirk his inherited status and spend his time hunting. The confusing aspect is that Janramir is apparently not a direct descendant, and he holds the ceremonial and dressed up style of his father’s kingdom in disdain. Only when Janramir is told that his father has died does he seem to have any really feeling at all.
Finally, Sovereign moves to the sea. On a ship that seems filled with disparate men but led by a refined woman, there is a small, studied intellectual named Goodman Ravenstone, who seems out of place. A large monster heading straight for the craft, a monster that reeks of death, interrupts the journey. The creature lurches from the ocean and the men fire canons and swing swords. Meanwhile, Ravenstone is sure he knows what the creature is. Before he can figure it out, the men discover the creature has been long dead, though what animated it enough to attack the boat is still a mystery.
See what I mean? There is a lot going on here, all of which is entertaining, but really unclear. Confusion in the first issue can be a solid way to get readers interested, but Roberson needs to be careful. If he doesn’t quickly expand the story, and hook readers in with something besides an interesting premise, Sovereign could become more effort than it is worth. As of right now, the story is really enjoyable.
Paul Maybury’s art is excellent, especially for this kind of series. The work has a distinct and specific look, one that draws on inspiration from old, classic stories like The Three Musketeers or The Man In The Iron Mask. His pencils are thin, but exquisitely detailed. There is a rustic quality about every panel, which allows for Roberson’s story to really come to life. Hopefully, that story finds stable ground and Sovereign finds an audience.
(4 Story, 4 Art)
