Issue #5...
::sigh:: It always strikes me a little bit when I realize when each arc hits the halfway, or slightly over halfway point. This arc has been no different. Seeing Karic's journey in the first two arcs was amazing, but in this one with the removal of Karic as the focal point one could almost have expected a drop off of the book. That was certainly not the case in
Mice Templar. Not even close. Removing Karic and King Icarus actually gave the story some room to breath a little bit. To expand beyond the established limits of the story. So many times with a story like this the reader will follow the path of the main character and then suddenly he will have an army on his side and you're often times left wondering how that happened. But not here. That is not to say that the story is meandering along aimlessly. Every page, every branch of the story that we are shown has purpose and meaning behind it.
This issue introduced us to the Templar side that has taken up Karic as their standard bearer. Which is nice to see after having the group that believed nothing about Karic. So the story has established the two sides quite nicely. Now will generosity and forgiveness prevail with the group of young Maeven and the group sent to bring them home? That will depend on how deep the distrust goes. Which is quite the interesting dynamic in the pages. More on this after I read the issue again.
Pilot, still don't like him, and I'm very happy that Leito has Deishun's influence and his friend with him as he deals with being "stuck" with Pilot.
Tosk!! I have to admit. He is growing on me some. He knows what his place in life is, and he revels in it. He is not meant to be in the city quelling mini riots, or playing at politics. He is a warrior, and that is all he knows and he is very good at it. He also makes no bones about what he is, he has embraced it and lets nothing move him from his path. I know he's one of the bad guys in the story, but I really like the fact that we know what we're getting with Tosk.
Those are a few of my initial thoughts. I can't wait to reread the issue again to have more to talk about soon!