Ralph Azham # 1-2 (GN)

Title: Ralph Azham: Black are the Stars # 1 (GN)
Publisher: Papercutz
Story and Art: Lewis Trondheim
Color: Brigitte Findakly
Production: JayJay Jackson
Translation: Kim Thompson, Joe Johnson
Lettering: Emory Liu, Niki FoxRobot, and Wilson Ramos Jr.
Price: $ 14.99 US
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Website: www.papercutz.com
Comments: The first illustration you see is of a tree and it is stunning. It is simple with blue coloring for its leaves and it will leave you breathless. 
  Chapter 1: Why Would You Lie to Someone You Love?
  Ralph lives in a village Astrolia where he is not appreciated. Piatch and his sister Claire seem to both like and dislike Ralph. 
 A Horde is coming to attack the village and thy are getting ready by bulding a trap. Ralph he is the main part of this story though. He is a pathatric individual yet he still has a moral sense. 
  It turns out both Ralph and Raoul have certain powers. They are both gifted. So Ralph, Raoul and Claire and another go on a journey. 
  All the characters are interesting and fun to follow. You do learn lots about them and more as the story goes on. Now a group is on the road. 
  Chapter 2: Death at the Beggining of the Road
  All those with some kind of power or other are all coming together. Ralph does continue living his life and enjoying it even as he runs into all sorts of trouble. He also meets lots of new people one of whom may be his sister. Ralph does face many dangers and somehow he keeps on going. He never gives up and never stops. 
  Chapter 3: Black are the Stars
  The art uses animorphic animals which are done really well and you will accept them as intelligent beings easily. The setting for the story is beautifully rendered in the art. 
  The story a few times is hard to follow and seems to jump over parts to quickly.
  Ralph is a wanted man now. He fights against the King and now plots to over throw him. The calm cool delivery of the story and art both match up beautifully. 


Title: Ralph Azham: The Land of the Blue Demons # 2 (GN)
Publisher: Papercutz
Story and Art: Lewis Trondheim
Color: Brigitte Findakly
Production: JayJay Jackson
Translation: Joe Johnson
Lettering: Wilson Ramos Jr.
Price: $ 14.99 US
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Website: www.papercutz.com
Comments: Chapter 4: The Buried Stone Never Learns Squat
  The Bracelet of Sashir Ralph tries out and has a little trouble getting it to work right. 
  Ralph is traveling a lot yet not much is going on. He does manage to get arrested sort of. 
  Master Yassou Migachi accompanies Ralph on his journeys. He know magic but to look at him you would think he is just some old man. 
  Ralph does have a most amazing gift. It helps him to defeat his enemies. His enemies are after him as he tries to escape them.
  Chapter 5: The Land of the Blue Demons
  Octania is where Ralph now travels to. Ralph, Zania and Master Yassou embark from the ship and enter Octania. Their journey has hardships yet the entire story is kept lowkey. Ralph has his plan going according to plan and he wants to talk to Vom Syrus. Ralph is planning to overthrow the King of Astolia and he needs help. There is one interesting and totally unexpected twist to the story that occurs. 
  We continue to see that Ralph is almost unstoppable with his magical weapon and his power. He does have a lot going for him and he has a lot against him as the King of Astolia wants him dead. 
  Chapter 6: The Enemy of My Enemy
  Ralph now has a magic sword and it can do a few things that do make it amazing and wonderful to have in a fight. The effect it has on ghosts is surprising to see. 
  Now Ralph gets captured yet again and is going to be executed. The King of Astolia wants his death and now that the King has Ralph's magical weapons he is more powerful then ever. Another King Vom Syrus is loose and on the move he is after the King of Astolia and will destroy anyone in his way. This issue sets up with a showdown between King Vom Syrus and Ralph Azham. 
  The characters are fun, they have a attitude that keeps them grounded so you can sympathize with each one. Ralph does come across as one common guy just doing what he feels is right. 

Richard Vasseur