In this issue of the series Busiek and Dewey focus their attention on the way in which the diverse community of animal-people they have created integrate ‘The Champion’ into their reality and adapt to meet the challenges facing them since their world has literally fallen apart. The third issue of this series introduces a new dynamic, which creates questions about the fate of humanity, the evolution of civilization, and the meaning of camaraderie. These large scale questions play out in against a new culture of chaos creating an environment that is a perfect venue for this innovative new fable. After a sumptuous 48-page first issue, “The Autumlands: Tooth and Claw” #3 shows that the team has settled into a monthly rhythm that continues to offer a lot to sink your teeth into.
Written by Kurt Busiek
Illustrated by Benjamin DeweyEnter: Goodfoot the Sly. Is she here to help the wizards…or herself? [Hint: herself.]
Steven T. Learoyd, Master Sergeant, Coalition Forces, is not the champion that the animal-people were expecting. Since the arrival of the human, the animal-people of this world have been at odds. In this issue a fierce divide appears between those who support him and those who doubt his legitimacy. Unfortunately, Steven T. Learoyd has not decided exactly which side he will be joining. This fundamental conflict creates the opportunity for the sly opportunist, Goodfoot, to exploit the tensions and deepen the rift between the groups.
Busiek and Dewey create striking contrast between the genteel manners of the animal-people and the human champion’s gruff, crass self-presentation. There is a general sense among the animal-people that this creature is less evolved than they are in a variety of concrete and metaphorical ways. The Furless One, as some call him, is mocked for being skinny and weak, treated as a spectacle and completely dismissed as useless by some. Others, like Gharta, the wizardess whose plan brought the human to the Autumnlands, remain convinced that despite his lack of civility and fur, he is their only hope. Ostensibly, Learoyd proves himself to be an adept strategist, a skilled swordsman, and an authoritative figure by the issues end, though some of the gentlebeings still remain unconvinced. The animal-people’s trepidation about this human helps underscore a theme that our perceptions are relative to our own experiences. Definitions and ideologies exist in a state of flux that are inextricably linked to the way in which we have interacted with the word. Prejudices are not innate, but a product of our own struggle to reconcile something that lies outside our realm of personal experience. Taking this into account Learoyd’s struggle for acceptance into the community becomes a beautiful allegory for the way in which community constructs its own borders, based not upon fact, but emotion, and the way in which those boundaries can be broken down.
This kind of poignant storytelling surfaces throughout the story. Busiek activates these animal-people, beautifully illustrated by Dewey, in the same way Aesop called upon the tortoise and the hare to construct his morality tales. By removing the human face, he is able to show us our reflection in a way that is more truthful than we might have been willing to see otherwise. This story feels familiar and modern, despite its distant remove from the world we know.
Dewey’s illustration continues to impress in this issue. His unique skill for finding very human expression on the faces of animals is incredibly well refined and articulately illustrated here. Throughout this issue motion and emotion are equally well rendered. In the sequence that shows Learoyd practicing his swordsmanship, Dewey’s motion lines fold organically into the form of the character, anchoring his actions with a sense of purpose and expertise. By depicting the intent of every character, the meticulously detailed crowds erupt with intention. Paired with Bellaire’s colors, the illustrations in this book transition between baroque opulence and echoing sketch book artifacts with ease. A classical sensibility guides the visual component of this book toward true brilliance.
Another strong visual in this issue centers around Learoyd testing his hypothesis that his current reality must be a dream. The entire scene is similar to an architectural rendering. Dewey’s skillful use of artistic devices like crosshatching is truly showcased here. More technical and geometric than anything Dewey has rendered in the series thus far, these pages still retain a direct link to the pervasive style of the book. Bellaire’s colors are more subdued in this scene, playing on a palette browns and bronze, she showcases her incredibly refined vocabulary of value and tone. Against this rich sepia background the glowing accents indicating the human’s enhanced capabilities stand out beautifully. The talents of both artists come together to make this scene work on variety of levels.
Continued belowThe introduction of the marauder, Goodfoot illustrates how well the creative marriage between all those who contribute to the book truly works. A fox-person who rides a giant insect, Goodfoot is a native of the Autumnlands. Dewey’s art clearly differentiates between her look and the appearance of the wizards who fell from the sky. Goodfoot’s clothing seems to be more inspired by westerns than fantasy stories. Bellaire’s coloring reinforces this distinction, using mostly earth tones for this character, while the other animal-people wear deep saturated jewel tones. Busiek captures a unique tone in her voice that is colloquial and quietly condescending. Dewey’s attentive depiction of her body language helps reveal that her intentions do not align with those of her inspiring rhetoric. This character shines due to the effort and unique talents of this team.
“The Autumnlands: Tooth and Claw” #3 is a successful issue that proves that the world that Dewey and Busiek have created is ripe with storytelling potential. The characters continue to deepen and develop while conflicts become more multifaceted and complex. Somewhere between a fable and a historical epic, this book has a signature tone that is unlike anything else.
Final Verdict: 8.4 – This series bark is as good as its bite.
