REVIEW The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #2

The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #2 Review

Published by Image Comics

Story by Kurt Busiek

Art by Benjamin Dewey

Tooth & Claw is a fantasy story set in a world similar to ours, with one exception: there are no humans. Instead we find a rich world inhabited by anthropomorphized animals with defined social classes, who are concerned about their magic disappearing. In an effort to restore magic to their realm, a band of mages sets forth to summon a “Champion” who will restore the potency to magic.

Before even getting to the first page of this amazing book, issue #2 greets us with an interesting title addition. “The Autumnlands” has been added to the title before “Tooth & Claw”. More on that a little bit later! Issue #2 doesn’t skip a beat in expanding the epic story that unfolded from issue #1.

Issue 2 starts with Dunstan and a group of his friends retelling an important battle in the history of the “Champion”. It is apparent that this being is held in high regard, as each in the group projects aspects of their species onto the persona of the Champion. Meanwhile, we see infighting between the conjuring mages, lead by the female warthog, Gharta. Tensions run high, as the mages try to determine what to do next, and are ambushed by the buffalo people of the terra. The mages try to fight back against the “Lesser-Ones” but are fraught with danger, as any magic that they employ will only weaken the magic of the others. During the onslaught, Dunstan, who is watching in hiding, comes to the stark realization that there is indeed a class war unfurling before his eyes. At the peak of Dunstan’s epiphany, the orb containing the Champion erupts and he is loosed upon the earth. The Champion immediately sets to work in defense of the mages, and he engages in brutal combat with the buffalo people in the ruins of the floating city. Amidst the battle, the Champion is crying out to the mages in an incomprehensible tongue until one of them casts a spell of understanding, at which point we learn that the Champion is directing the mages to flee and not to attack. After the Lesser-Ones sustain heavy losses and ultimately retreat, the Champion collapses at the feet of the mages, who continue to bicker amongst themselves, while Gharta tries to lead them all on a new journey of survival.

Tooth & Claw #2 continues the massive world building that is crafted extremely effortlessly by writer Kurt Busiek. Our heroes have literally fallen from their floating city and must now survive, with their beloved Champion, on the “wild world”. It feels like all we need to do to find this magical world is simply to stumble over a hill, cross a stream, or glimpse the world at sunset, and we could be transported into this magic-waning realm. Character development and backstory is definitely in place, and some of the narrative by Dunstan could certainly be taken as commentary on our society. All the while, Benjamin Dewey is creating characters that are instantly relatable. Human emotion is perfectly conveyed through his animal forms via facial expressions, and body language. I can’t wait to see what else he has planned! Jordie Bellaire’s coloring on this issue is superb. Could the muted tones and colors possibly be a hint at the addition of “The Autumnlands” to the title? Whatever the meaning I am hooked and can’t wait for issue #3! Be sure to pick this book up and be prepared for an amazing journey!