Image credit: Red Wolf Comics
A baron loyal to Henry II is forced to make an impossible choice during a conflict between the king and Richard the Lionheart. He wants to do the right thing, but he may have little choice but to engage in horrific acts to force the enemy’s hand.
Written by Bruno Catalino and illustrated by Jaka Prawira (with letters by James Reid), Family & Honor is a truly charming medieval drama.
Deliberately shifting tempos reveal the stakes at the heart of the story, before the second act becomes a gripping two-handed affair, paving the way for a devastating climax.
The script is rigorously developed, and Catalino writes one-shots that, while lacking any fantasy elements, have the feel of the political intrigue of fictional films such as Game of Thrones.
Family & Honor is a very grounded and realistic drama, but it’s also suitable for fans of George R.R. Martin’s series as well as readers accustomed to less flashy or action-oriented comics.
Image credit: Red Wolf Comics
With an emphasis on realism and an emphasis on the characters and their emotions, Jaka Prawira does a great job of bringing intense drama and tragedy to the fore in his comic book art. Standout sequences include a series of completely wordless panels in which the characters contemplate their fate.
It’s handled very impressively and shows how much drama can be derived from such a simple premise.
My only complaint is that the manga reaches such a melodramatic climax that it doesn’t feel like it’s resolved. Considering this is a one-shot with no follow-up intended, the devastating ending is just left hanging.
However, this is of course a perfectly valid creative choice. My complaints here are pretty harsh in order to receive even the slightest criticism of Family & Honor. Or maybe you were so shaken by the events that unfolded on the previous page that you simply didn’t want it to end. Either way, I was shocked and impressed by Family & Honor. Highly recommended.
As of this writing, Family & Honor is running a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. You can pledge to buy your own comics here.
Thanks to Bruno Catarino for providing Family & Honor for review.
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