Nightjar #1 Flies onto Shelves
This week's comic shipment includes NIGHTJAR #1 from Avatar Press, the first in a new series continuing the story started by Alan Moore and Bryan Talbot over twenty years ago! Written by Moore collaborator Antony Johnston and hot new artist Max Fiumara, NIGHTJAR #1 picks up where Moore and Talbot's opening story (seen for the first time in 2003's YUGGOTH CULTURES) left off.
NIGHTJAR is the story of Mirrigan Demdyke, member of an elite class of magicians, known as Birds. Eighteen years ago, Mirrigan watched her father's heart explode in their back yard. That was fair, because Mirrigans father was Emperor Of All The Birds, the most powerful sorcerer in Britain, and that's how they arrange their successions.
But on her deathbed, Mirrigan's grandmother reveals a secret - her father wasn't killed by one sorcerer. He was killed by seven, combining their powers into one massive attack. And that's just not fair.
Mirrigan's grandmother charges the young Bird with an oath to make the seven conspirators pay for their treachery. But the cabal is much older, wiser and more powerful than Mirrigan - and they have plans of their own for the new Nightjar...
Commenting on the debut issue, Antony Johnston said:
"This first episode sets up the ongoing NIGHTJAR saga, and introduces us to some new characters who will each play a part in Mirrigan's story. Though whether to help, or hinder, remains to be seen.
"One thing made quite clear in this first story is that Mirrigan's in no rush. NIGHTJAR is a tale of revenge and magic, but it's also rooted in history - especially the history of Mirrigan's family - and she simply doesn't realise that yet.
"So the day after learning her father was killed unjustly, after she swore revenge on his killers and after she saw her grandmother explode before her very eyes, Mirrigan does something quite unexpected. She pays a visit to her old hippy friend Brian, to say goodbye before she leaves. Because Mirrigan was raised to believe that yes, she has power, and a very special gift... But that being a decent human being is more important than any amount of magic.
"The problem is, those same principles got her father slaughtered nearly twenty years ago. And the people she's fighting against have no such compassion or distractions.
"So if Mirrigan won't come to the game - choosing instead to spend some quality time with Brian, assuming she won't see him again for a month or two - Eric Blason, leader of the seven conspirators and the new Emperor Of All The Birds, will just bring the game to her. And her friends."
Check out a preview of a few pages from Nightjar #1, plus several covers from the series, at http://www.nightjar.biz.
Nightjar #1 is in stores beginning Wednesday, March 31. Please ask for it at your local comic book retailer, and while you're there, ask him to be sure to reserve copies of issues #2-4 and the Nightjar: Hollow Bones Special as well. Please support your local retailers, but if you can't get it locally, they are available from our direct sales agent at:
[ posted Wednesday, March 31, 2004 8:59:26 AM | permanent link to this item ]
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