Customer Reviews

Rex Mundi Volume 4: Crown and Sword (v. 4)

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Continuing in its rich alternate history vein, the graphic novel series, Rex Mundi sees Europe involved in an escalating world war. The setting is the early 1930s, but the countries are very different from what we know, and much darker and more frightening. The protestent reformation has failed and America's civil war has split the country in two - with the Confederate States of America the abhored slavery nation of the world. The action takes place in Europe however, where Dr. Julien Sauniere continues his quest to understand the secret of the holy grail, as well as to keep one step ahead of the powerful Inquisitional forces. Meanwhile, the Duke of Lorraine has overthrown the rulers of France and appointed himself head of this powerful stae, to wage war on his neighbors and purge Europe of Islamic influence. If none of this makes sense to you, you really should read books 1-3 first. The newspaper "clippings" helpfully inserted between chapters will provide the grand picture over the personal stories of the graphic novel. A supurb storyline with first-rate illustrations and richly gothic undertones. A scary and mystical hellride into history as we would never want it to be.

I'm of the opinion that Rex Mundi is one of the most underrated comics on the market today. While dismissed as some as just a Da Vinci Code-style knockoff, Mundi goes far beyond that books in its social, political, and religious sub-plots. Nelson's masterstroke to the series was his creation of an alternate world history, circa the 1930's. In this era there is a new group of Axis powers: France, Russia, and Great Britain. They are opposed by The powerful Holy Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Muslim controlled Emirate of Cordova which controls modern Spain. It's a world where magic exists both for good and evil and the political intrigues are just as central to the story as its central quest for the Holy Grail.

Dr. Julien Sauniere has been reluctantly working with the Catholic Church to investigate the French Duke of Lorraine and his search for the Grail. Sauniere uncovers the startling secret that Lorraine can trace his lineage back to the French Merovingian kings, supposedly from the bloodline of Jesus Christ himself. His bloodline was nearly wiped out by the Church centuries ago and Lorraine now wants revenge. His revelation of being of the bloodline of Christ would destroy the Catholic Church.

Sauniere has gotten much too close to solving the mystery of the Grail and the Church's masked Inquisitors arrest him and sentence him to be burned for heresy in a trumped up hearing presided over by the powerful Archbishop of Sens. But Sauniere has allies, some unexpected and escapes to the village of Rennes-Le-Chateau, a French village long tied to Grail mythology. There he will attempt to finally track down the long lost hidden resting place of the Grail. Of Course, the theme of this story should be to never trust anyone!

Rex Mundi is a densely plotted series filled with magic, religious lore, political intrigue, and military campaigning, all in a Europe that is far different than the one we know today. Arvid Nelson manages to keep the reader constantly guessing at what will happen next, and each new volume is filled with revealing secrets but also new mysteries, keeping the story fresh. Allegiances change with the winds as Sauniere continues to meet with new allies and new enemies.

This series collects Rex Mundi #18, originally published by Image Comics, and issues 1 - 5 of the new series published by Dark Horse. Artist Juan Ferreyra has a very different style than original series artist Eric Johnson. While Johnson's style was very sharp with thick black line work, Ferreyra's art is softer with a more pastel color palette. While I personally prefer Johnson's art, Ferreyra is very good as well.

Rex Mundi isn't and easy series to jump into if you haven't been reading it but each trade paperback does begin with a summary of the events that have happened in previous issues so don't let that stop you from checking out this great series.

REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON

Political intrigue can be so difficult to write for comic books. If we look at the recent politically motivated storylines in mainstream comics like `Civil War`, `the Secret Wars I, II`, Ìnfinity Gauntlet`, `Crisis on Infinite Earths`, and ``52`, the sheer weight of the titles can get overwhelming..

Not so with Rex Mundi. Arvid Nelson, has created a world of intrigue that crosses religious, military, and historical lines with great effect. The era is the early 1930's and the medieval Church is in control of France. The Duke of Lorraine is a vicious, political animal bent on total control. Between the pursuit by Master Physician Julien Sauniere for the secret of the Holy Grail and a power assumption by Lorraine, this comic series is more compelling than 24, more intriguiging than Numbers, and an artistic triumph.

The Duke of Lorraine transforms himself from Duke to First Consul as he assumes control of the National Assemby and assails Versailles. Master Physician Sauniere travels from Paris to Rennes-Le-Chateau under the unknown supervision of Genevieve (the Dukes lover) via Montsalvat. The Mergovian and Lorraine bloodlines clash as absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Avrid Nelson is a rarity in illustrated fiction. His work on Rex Mundi is intelligent, gripping, and well researched. The world of conspiracy/alternate gospels revolving the holy grail is rich and mining this realm is a stroke of genius. Not only has he captured the spirit of the genre-conspiracy, mistrust, deceipt, cold blooded motives, but he has imbued the books with a spirit that bursts from the pages. His characters, the Duke Of Lorraine, Master Physician Sauniere, Genevieve, and Isabelle Lorraine live and breathe.

"Crown and Sword" is a novel ripe for either TV or movie adaptation. Just like Mary Stewart and the Crystal Cave series, as good as a film/series might be, it could also fail just as easily if the original story was altered in any way.

Let the literary world take note. Forget Harvey Pekar, and enter the world of Arvid Nelson. You'll be in very good hands.

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Tim Lasiuta