Elric: The Balance Lost #2
Elric created by Michael Moorcock
Written by Chris Roberson
Art by Francesco Biagini
BOOM! Studios
$3.99
Release date: August 3, 2011

I love this series. Yes, I know it’s only had two full issues, but the set up is awesome. It looks like Chris Roberson has narrowed the current theme to include three well-known incarnations of the Eternal Champion: Elric of Melnibone, Dorian Hawkmoon, and Corum Jhaelen Irsei. The twist is that he has introduced a new character, Eric Beck, who is just starting to realize that he is another of these champions. The writing is superb, I sincerely hope Michael Moorcock is as satisfied as I am with it. The quick changes between the layers of the multiverse, the phrasing, the whole atmosphere of the comic just embodies everything we know and love about the Eternal Champion.

Elric: The Balance Lost #1
Elric created by Michael Moorcock
Written by Chris Roberson
Art by Francesco Biagini
BOOM! Studios
$3.99
Release date: July 6, 2011

“Blood and souls for my Lord Arioch!”

Even after thirty years, that always makes my heart race. Michael Moorcock’s Elric saga was the first true fantasy series that I devoured, much like Neil Gaiman mentions in the afterward of Elric: The Balance Lost #1, the beginning of a new comic book series from BOOM! Studios. I read everything that I could lay my hands on that was in the Eternal Champion series: Elric, Hawkmoon, Corum, Erekose, Cornelius, you name it and I read it. Again and again. I have the original comics from the 1980’s based on Moorcock’s original Elricbooks. I sought out all the early 70’s Daw printings of the series. Heck, I even bought a copy of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Deities and Demigods just because it contained the Melniboné mythos in there.

Have I convinced you that I’m flat-out obsessed with this character(s)? Good, because now you need to go buy this comic book. Right now. Go. Need a little more convincing? Fine, read on…

On Free Comic Book Day back in May, BOOM! Studios offered up the Elric: The Balance Lost FCBD Edition, which contained an original 8-page prequel story for their new ongoing Elric comic book series from Chris Roberson and Francesco Biagini. The issue also included a lengthy, informative essay on the Elric multiverse, along with illustrations.

If you didn’t get a chance to pick up the issue for free on FCBD, you can read it for free online right now at elriccomic.com.

The regular series launched today in comic shops as well as for digital devices with Elric: The Balance Lost #1, making this one of a select few titles to get a day-and-date release (meaning, the digital version is available the same day as the physical copy).

Starting this July, BOOM! Studios will be publishing Elric: The Balance Lost, an all-new, all-original, on-going comic book series that expands the Michael Moorcock universe.

You can get a peek at the new series this May on Free Comic Book Day, as Elric: The Balance Lost FCBD Edition will be offered as one of the free titles. The FCBD Edition will also contain an original prequel story which is said to provide a good jumping-on point for readers new to the Elric saga.

The series will be written by Chris Roberson with art by Francesco Biagini.

Check out a 4-page preview of the FCBD Edition here below.