 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | TOKYOPOP UK | | | ▪ | AUTHOR / ART: | | BARBARA RANDALL KESEL
HEIDI ARNHOLD
MAX KIM | | | ▪ | FORMAT: | | ENGLISH / BW | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 170 | | | ▪ | RATING: | | 13 | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 11/13/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 01/28/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | SANDRA SCHOLES |
Based on Jim Henson's original film of the same name this first novel, The Garthim Wars concentrates on the birth of the crystal, then its splitting creates two races, a mirroring of themselves, the Skeksis and the Thoughtful Mystics who saught power, invading the meek and mild Podlings and Gelflings. From this danger, out of the remnants of the crystal came a fearsome foe by the name of Garthim.
Gelfling Lahr and his pet Whouf encounter Garthim and have to leave their village and keep moving as these creatures are quick to move through areas. While escaping, he comes across another Gelfling called Neffi who uses her dream fasting talent to show him how her village was invaded by the Garthim menace who tore though, killing many and capturing others - all except her. They reach the Namopo valley and find it is full of Gelflings and has not been raided as previously thought, finding another like Neffi Kelsee, who has to show them the entrance through the valley as they would not be able to find it one their own. They may have found their safe haven, but how long will it be before they are found and captured? Barbara, Heidi and Max have kept the story alive in this first volume, which bears all the feel of the original movie and the look of Brian Froud's concept designs for the film.
The pacing of the manga is just right, as is the detailing of the characters and their attitudes and emotions in the writing side of things. It is an excellent accomplishment to the film in many aspects. Lahr and Neffi continue where Jen and Kira did in the movie version and do it justice in its execution of the manga. There is a beautiful extra gallery at the end of the novel with contributing artists and illustrators, some of which like Sarah Ferrick and Whitney Leith were finalists for the Rising Stars of Manga contest.
The art pieces show the varied styles, but such a detailed array of wonderful sketches and art create an amazing portfolio that completes the reading experience. IN SUMMARY:
This is a phenomenal work, long awaited by fans of the genre and one Jim Henson would have been deeply proud of.
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