CASTLE WAITING

Vol. 2, No.3

Written and illustrated by Linda Medley

Black & White interior� ����������� Published by Cartoon Books

����������� At first glance this might strike a jaded eye as a far simpler item than it really is. Medley's clean, solid lines and medieval fantasy setting could deceive the casual newcomer. However, the reader soon finds that he has come across a tale that has been deeply researched, thoughtfully constructed and artistically rendered.

� � � � � � The cover image for this issue (seen on the right) might strike some as in some manner blasphemous - a bearded, yet female, Christ figure - but rest assured there is a considered tale behind this image, and it's central to the issue. Further, as the copious research references and creator's notes following the story show, there is a recurrent basis in legend, if not actual history.

� � � � � � Taking a step back, this series follows the travels and trials of Lady Jain Solander, who fled the home of her abusive husband and went in search of a legendary sanctuary called Castle Waiting. Pregnant, she reached the castle just in time to give birth. All that has gone before this issue, and it represents a considerable journey.�While this is issue #3, it's �the third of a second volume. Medley self-published an earlier run of issues which received two Eisner Awards in 1998, and have been collected in a trade edition available from her current publisher, Cartoon Books. (The first three issues of this current run are available for sale there, too.)

����������� This is a fanciful gem of a series which I was introduced to by one of the fine people I met during my days hanging around the eBay comics board, ltcfan, who in real life is� Don (Oh, I �know his last name, but having noticed that he doesn�t mention it on his ME page I�ll leave that to him to tell who he wishes), an affable and playfully creative sort who certainly knows something about art. Don, prince that he is, was kind enough to send me an autographed copy from the series� pre-Cartoon Books run some months ago.

� � � � � � Solidly, lovingly done, this series is one to keep in mind not only to serve as a possible recommendation to someone who might eschew most mainstream comics, but also for yourself if you're looking for something to... wash the palate.

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