Runes #4

Runes #4

Source Point Press 2021

Written by Ivan Lacitignola

Illustrated by Francesco Iaquinta

English Translation by Alessia Teruggi

Coloured & Lettered by Ivan Lacitignola & Alessia Teruggi

850 CE, Scotland. The citadel of Fearn is now the subject of constant attacks by the servants of the Witch of the Coast. During a patrol in the clearing around Fearn, Angus Darroch argues animatedly with Iona about the problematic situation. But it won't be a day like any other for the Darroch's leader and his daughter. Meanwhile, beyond the Great Sea Fjorn, the Jarl of Jondal, plots against the villages of the coast and sets up a suspicious trial without the accused.

Okay so I have come to the conclusion that I am way too invested in this story because when I got to the last page I cried out that it wasn’t enough! What happens to Anwar? Does he survive or not and what of his budding romance with Iona? I can’t have imagined that the two share a begrudging connection and a strong one at that. So many unanswered questions including the Northman’s mother and brother who framed him for their fathers murder? There’s so much that needs answering still that this simply cannot be the last of the adventures of the Northman. So yeah I have come to be incredibly invested and engaged in this book and the story to a point I wasn’t aware of until the last page. That’s just how well this is written folks.

The way that this is being told is fantastic. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented exceptionally well. The character development we see through the dialogue, the character interaction as well as how we see them act and react to the situations and circumstances which is how we connect with the characters and their personalities. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing more of the story the more we want to learn.

How we see this being structured and how the layer within the story continues to emerge, grow, evolve and strengthen is extremely well orchestrated. How we see the layers open up new avenues to be explored and the depth, dimension and complexity they add to the story is remarkable. How we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow as well as how it moves the story forward is impeccably achieved.

I really like the style of the interiors that we see there. It has a very distinct style to the artwork and it really suits this point in time. The linework is sensational and how we see the varying weights and techniques being utilised to create the detail within the work is so well executed. How we see backgrounds being utilised and how they enhance and expand the moments as well as how they work within the composition of the panels to bring out the depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the story. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show such a remarkable eye for storytelling. The colour work is phenomenal. The various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work shows a superb understanding of how colour works. From the stone to the wood and the clothing how we see the weathering effects are expertly done and it’s impressive.

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This look at cultures that don’t exist any longer is a huge part of the appeal for me. The Britons at the time and the Vikings had a volatile existence with one another so the dynamic we see created here really is unique and interesting. This is the kind of book that captures the reader's attention, imagination and creativity that we want to see so much more of. It has this excellent writing and strong characterisation that’s all wrapped up in these fantastic interiors.