Plague #1
Written by Dennis MaGee Fallon and Jason Palmatier
Art by Zach Brunner
Letters by Dave Sharpe
Markosia Comics
Release Date: March 29, 2017
Cover Price: $1.99

You might remember a couple of months ago I reviewed a comic titled Lords of the Cosmos #1. I found it to be entertaining and unique for the most part. Well, the same writers have a new offering for us by the name of Plague #1! And while the subject matter is remarkably different, the same pizzazz remains.

The year is 1352 and the bubonic plague is sweeping through Europe and killing people by the millions. Sadly, more than mankind is suffering; even the fey have been struck by this blight upon the earth. As the faerie king lay dying, his son returns home to find him succumbing to the ravages of the Black Death. It is upon that deathbed that the prince swears to save his folk at any cost.

Deep within that same forest, a warbishop continues his vengeful assault upon all things fey to quell what he thinks is the root of the blight upon his land. Slaughter and mercilessness are the tools of his trade. Misunderstanding the connection the fairies have with their woodland realm, the army of the Church reigns their own brand of hell down upon the peaceful feyfolk.

Elsewhere, a friar finds himself alone in his abbey, last survivor of his group. Knowing that death is looming overhead, he continues to follow his strict duties and refuses to abandon his post. But when a strange woman stumbles to him wounded after an attack, he finds himself involved in a war that he never knew existed.

With a story so deeply rooted in both history and myth, this five issue mini-series will appeal to a wide range of folks. Writers Dennis MaGee Fallon and Jason Palmatier are in their element as they construct a world that could have been. They say they were influenced by Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose and that’s a deal maker for me. It’s my favorite book of all time! Aided by the fantastic renderings of Zach Brunner, this team tells a tale of loss, anger, and despair.

I cannot say enough positive things about this first issue other than I must see it to its conclusion. Make sure you do the same!

Here’s the official release information:

Once again leading the way in cutting-edge storytelling, Markosia brings the past of the British Isles to life in their edgy new release, PLAGUE. Reframing the story of the bubonic plague as a tale of good versus evil and magic versus faith, PLAGUE is Inspired by actual people and events of the 14th century and uses extensive research into European folklore to tell the story of THE FEY; magical creatures of myth and legend who are being hunted by a corrupt Catholic Church.

PLAGUE combines modern issues of immigration, refugee status, despotism and religious zealotry into a historical fantasy relevant to the present. Drawing heavily from Bakshi’s animated interpretation of “The Hobbit” and historical fiction such as Eco’s “In The Name of the Rose” and Follett’s “The Pillars of the Earth”, PLAGUE feels 500 years old and viscerally fresh at the same time.