Customer Reviews

The Path : Crisis of Faith

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you're even reading this review you probably already read comics. This is one of the most interesting approaches out there. Sears and the rest of the art team are creating a new language for graphic storytelling here. Most comics (at least Western comics with which I am familiar) try to trick the reader into forgetting that he's observing a series of static images. The Path revels in this -- most pages are constructed around a single central image or event which may be depicted in multiple ways, and time does not necessarily progress across the page from left to right. Other pages might be constructed of a dozen tiny panels, none of which make much sense individually but which, when taken as a whole, give the reader an almost visceral insight into the chaos going on in the characters' lives. The book simply presents these images and the reader fills in the intersticies. This allows the story to bypass all the analytical tricks readers have developed to help them understand "what's going on"; instead, the story aims its way directly into your head. The excellent and surprising script by Ron Marz complements this presentation, and the static graphic presentation is echoed in the stubborness of the each of the characters.

Some may worry that a reader of "The Path" will miss out if he doesn't get all of the other CrossGen books. While I recommend each of them as worth at least sampling, "The Path" is totally different than any of the others (even the Marz-written Scion and Sojourn) and stands on its own. Yes, the main character of "The Path" is marked with a sigil, a mysterious symbol which gives the bearer great power, just like characters in other CrossGen books, but that's really all you need to know about those other titles. (As to the sigil's origins or purpose, this hasn't been revealed in any other CrossGen book either.) Ultimately, there is considerably less connection between most CrossGen books than there is in a typical month between Spider-Man, Daredevil, and the Avengers. "The Path" is not what you are expecting, but you owe it to yourself to give it a try.

The Path is a very good read for avid comic fans that look beyond muscle bound super men. It's artistic approach is done with a Japanese flat style with compositions layed out like the Lone Wolf and Cub story line. I find it refreshing. I totally disagree with "zero02" comments on the art. I think they're beautiful and show a CROSS-cultural influence in the art. Keep up the good work Crossgen.

There some solid and occasionally great art in this book, but the story being told never really gets going. The narrative is so highly derivative of any number of stories and films that it's hard to get very excited about it. The setting is a land modeled on feudal-era Japan, and there we meet the Emperor's warlord. He is a stereotypically stoic and heroic warrior who is instructed to lead the country's relatively small army across the water to invade the massive power (based on China) that has been their historic foe. The predictably disastrous results lead to a literal reshuffling of heads, as well as the appearance of the warlord's brother, a monk. (There are two sidekicks who make cursory appearances, a barbarian Norseman, and an elegant female swordswoman). In any event, there are some striking panels and spreads here and there, and some interesting paneling, as well as two nicely executed stylistic shifts. However, the palette is incredibly dark and drab--this book ought to come packaged with a halogen lamp! Browns, rusts, and grays dominate the book, and sometimes you really have to peer to make out what's going on. So, a few nice moments, but not a book or series I'll return to.

Diversity, brother. In its time CrossGenesis rocked diversity in its line of comic book titles, the company's purpose to branch out to all sorts of genres while skirting superhero conventions. SOJOURN, for example, is high fantasy fare. SIGIL and NEGATION are sci-fi space operas. RUSE smacks of the Victorian-era mysteries. ROUTE 666 falls into the horror milieu. WAY OF THE RAT flaunts that wuxia flavor. EL CAZADOR, a pirate adventure. The closest to superheroes that CrossGen ever got was CRUX, which was also a take on the fall of Atlantis. Meanwhile, THE PATH, which shares its world of Han-Jinn with WAY OF THE RAT, is a moody samurai epic.

I recently became smitten with the fabulous THE WAY OF THE RAT, a buddy having loaned me several issues of that title. There was one comment in the WOTR letters column which suggested that not even some guy named Obo-san can beat Boon Sai Hong, the hero thief of THE WAY OF THE RAT. So I was instantly intrigued with this guy Obo-san and learned that he was the central character of THE PATH, a title of which first set of issues I then picked up in trade format. I'm very glad I did. THE PATH is very good.

Some plot SPOILERS now.

THE PATH Vol. 1: CRISIS OF FAITH collects the prequel story and the ongoing series's first six issues. The prequel (and, remember, SPOILERS) tells the story of the mighty Warlord Todosi of the House of Tsugawas who, upon the behest of the deranged Emperor of the island nation of Nayado, sets forth with his soldiers to conquer Shinacea, the distant empire across the sea. But the invaders from Nayado are met by the massive Shinacean army which then routs Todosi's forces and harries them in pursuit, all the way back to Todosi's homeland. With the tables turned and faced now with the imminent invasion of Nayado, the disgraced Todosi begins to pray. He prays for his nation's salvation, for some sort of last moment intervention, some divine gesture from above. And his prayer is answered.

For those not in the know (as I recently was), CrossGen Comics is also fondly known as the Sigilverse to its fans. CrossGen interweaved a common theme into various of its comic books, this being that of sigils being branded on characters in these comic books and endowing the bearers with extraordinary powers. Todosi becomes one such sigil-bearer, the sigil bestowed upon him by a mysterious woman who appeared in the wake of Todosi's prayers. Because of this sigil Todosi is able to repel the foreign hordes. But he is unable to survive the assault of godlike beings who sometime later manifest from the skies. And with Todosi's death, the sigil passes on to Oba-san... And who is Oba-san?

He once was called Nobuyuki, Todosi's brother, before he ventured into monkhood in search of enlightenment and coming to be simply known as Oba-san. Mere moments after Todosi's passing, the once reflective Oba-san vows vengeance on the fickle gods to whom he once prayed. He also pits himself in direct opposition to the Emperor of Nayado, who now covets the weapon from heaven which has come into Oba-san's possession. THE PATH goes on to chronicle Oba-san's dark journey and his quest for bloody get-back.

End SPOILERS.

With CrossGen going out of business in 2004, THE PATH's run ended after two years, with apparently only 23 issues having been published. This is kinda sucksville to someone like me, who's just discovered this series. But this first trade CRISIS OF FAITH impressed me enough that I right away ordered Blood on Snow (The Path, Book 2) and The Path Volume 3: Death And Dishonor (Vol. 4: ENEMIES AND ALLIES doesn't seem to be currently available). Ron Marz's storytelling dips you into an exotic world of royal intrigue, foulest betrayal, shattered faith and friendships, shapeshifting demons, sorcerous skullduggery, and petty gods. Excuse further hyperbole, but, to me, this series really does pulsate with an ominous tone and seethes with the stench of war. Marz writes pretty interesting characters, and I'm very intrigued with the conflicted person of Obo-san, as well as with the fierce barbarian Wulf and the female samurai Yamane Aiko, Todosi's most trusted warriors who have now transferred their loyalty to Obo-san. I'm particularly waiting on even more details about Aiko's backstory.

And then there's the artwork. Of all the different comics I've seen Bart Sears' pencils, it's THE PATH which showcases his best stuff. Sears switches up, veering away from his patented overmuscly superhero renderings. Instead, he dabbles in stark compositions and in the use of black tones and shadows and unconventional panels, all this establishing a grand scale and a dramatic, brooding tone. To me, his work in THE PATH is reminiscent of Frank Miller and Alex Toth, two artists he references in the 7-page interview included in this trade. The only peeve I have with the art is that at times the action is hard to make out. But, man, if artwork can growl...

So I don't know where the story arc is ultimately heading. I do know that, by the end of the sixth issue, Obo-san's struggles have only begun. Both the Emperors of, respectively, Nayado and Shinacea, have deployed their best agents to pursue Obo-san and wrest from him the weapon of heaven (which is this supercharged blasting rod thingamajig). The final pages hint of a continuance in thunderous war between the two rival empires and I wondered what part Obo-san and his small group of allies and friends would play in this. I'm also curious to see more of Obo-san's new abilities, brought about by his sigil brand. I really liked that sequence in which he was able to temporarily make the insane Emperor of Nayado see himself for what he's become, but then what happens directly after is very creepy. The obese, power-hungry Emperor of Shinacea himself makes a daunting adversary, with his machinations and his control of shapeshifting demons. All in all, THE PATH Vol. 1: CRISIS OF FAITH sets things up nicely and does a very good job of whetting the reader's appetite. This trade paperback is very much recommended, with the caveat that this series only lasted 23 issues and the odds being that the story arc probably never got the chance to wrap up.

When Mitsumume, the Emperor of Nayado, decides to attack the empire of Shinacea, he sets into motion a sequence of events that will turn the entire world. The attack in unsuccessful, and Shinacea in turn launches its own attack, threatening to overthrown the Throne of Petals. And when the gods themselves intervene, in a whole capricious and unmerciful manner, the monk Obo-san takes up their most powerful weapon and declares war upon them himself. This is the story of one monk, and a crisis of faith that sets the world to trembling.

Overall, I really loved this book. The story is fascinating, and the artwork is simply breathtaking. Admittedly, it is true that the double-page spread sometimes makes the story somewhat hard to follow. But, I didn't really find that too much of a problem. My biggest complaint is that this book is just part one in a multi-book story, so now I must go out and get more books, if I want to see what happens next.

But, that said, this is a very good book, one that I highly enjoyed, and highly recommend.

As big a fan as I am of CrossGen comics in general, "The Path" is not really a book for me. I've never been the biggest fan of Bart Sears' artwork, and at times it becomes quite difficult to tell the characters apart. The pacing is a bit slow, which usually doesn't bother me, but doesn't suit this book as much as it wants to.

The big problem with this collection, though, is that "The Path" is done entirely in double-page spreads. Instead of reading each left-hand page then each right-hand page, like in most comics, the two pages combine. This is fine in a magazine style comic book, but when the pages are reproduced into a paperback edition like this, the middle of each image get trapped in the crease and makes it difficult to read.

It's not a bad book, and it deservedly has its fans. I'm just not one of them.

The entire idea behind "The Path" is cool, and Ron Marz is up there with Chuck Dixon as on of the best writers around but the real turn-off for "The Path" is the art. Crossgen Comics has,until now, been using artists who usually make all the books look like the're done by the same artist, but for some reason crossgen decided to fix something that isn't broken and it has floped in my eyes. The artists give no hint of a third demension and the characters look like paper dolls. The reapeted use of browns make the book dull and less appealing to the eyes. I read other comics from crossgen and will continue to do so but The path will never be one of those comics.