Klarion the Witch-boy is another one of Grant Morrison’s Seven Soldiers of Victory, and thus, like the others, Klarion gets his own mini-series. Klarion lives in a strange, subterranean world inhabited by Witch-boys and girls and Witch-men and women. All of these have pale, blue faces, large eyes, and sport Pilgrim style duds replete with obnoxious square buckles on their belts and shoes. Some of them even have tall, wide brimmed, black hats or white bonnets. They work day and night serving their god Croatoan, and their dead are raised and forced to work and harvest the delicious rocks crops. Their leaders, headed by a grim sorcerer named Judah (aptly played by Johnny Depp) rule over them with a “fire and brimstone” fear that is ironically similar to that of the early American Puritans from which the witches no doubt gained their fashion sense.

It seems that Grant Morrison (writer) is covering all of his obscure bases with these extremely diverse characters and their backgrounds that span an enormous number of comic and literary genres. As always, Morrison’s writing is just down right great. You really have to appreciate the fine tuned aspects of his story from the subtle smuggling of a Kit Kat, to the enormous monster known as Horigal. Everything is interwoven and important. I especially enjoyed how the writing and artwork come together so flawlessly to create the character or Judah. And speaking or art; Frazer Irving’s artwork is phenomenal. His style of intense and oppressive shadows and water colorish coloring aptly created the subterranean world of Klarion. And I just have to say that I wish they would have used the title page for the cover, but it just wouldn’t have worked because Klarion wasn’t in it. (see below).

The world of Klarion is ruled by fear and corrupt leaders that hang on to the past and resist change. Klarion is somewhat of an unusual kid and has his own ideas about what is good for him. While this is not a new idea, Morrison’s story and obscure settings are not hindered by predictability or clichés, for which I am very grateful. Morrison’s writing is always intriguing and well worded, but I think that I am more excited about this mini series than any of the others. Perhaps that is because of the way that Morrison and Irving work together to perfect each cell, or maybe because Klarion is such an interesting character, or maybe I just dig blue chicks in Pilgrim outfits. But however bizarre and immoral my reasons may be, I can’t wait until the next issue comes out and advise you to get number 1 as soon as blue humanly possible.

-Fumanchu