The fantasy genre has always portrayed magic as a mode of chaos and disruption, able to perform dark, destructive deeds just as well as great feats of wonder. Both the good and bad sides of magic require temperance. From Image Comics comes the tale of a lively and hardworking blacksmith who feels a sinister voice calling from within her. Written, illustrated, colored and lettered by Emma Kubert of Inkblot and Frank Miller’s Pandora fame, Stoneheart #1 is a dark fantasy adventure that bounces back and forth in time.
Set in the fictional kingdom of Athea, Stoneheart #1 tells the story of Shayde Whisper and her controversial legacy. The story opens with a look into the future as the Paladin council, The Circle of Might, bicker among themselves to ascertain the fate of Shayde. The guards bring her to the throne room, chained and drugged to keep her subdued. While being sentenced, a fell voice reaches out to her. Shayde wakes up in the present to find herself arriving at her destination, Lightspring Canyon, working as an apprentice for a blacksmith. Everything takes a dark turn when Shayde is attacked by a mysterious creature in the night.
Stoneheart #1 opens on a grim scene, creating a foreboding atmosphere from the get-go and a story outline that the plot now has to adhere to. It establishes the politics inherent to this fantasy world, as well as the core rules the series will need to follow going forward. Once the book cuts away to the present, the contrasting tones help pique interest throughout the issue. The energy of the protagonist is infectious, and no amount of her ramblings feel cumbersome. Instead, they are a significant source of exposition, forming the majority of the story’s building blocks. After a captivating opening hook, series creator Emma Kubert takes an almost lighthearted break before ending the book with a shocking twist, introducing the antagonist.
Kubert keeps the opening as ambiguous as possible, using black-and-white spreads of ink that do not distract from the fomenting situation. Once the book ventures into more vibrant territory, the colors handle the heavy-lifting. Some of the visual information, like skin tones and Shayde’s freckles, add variety and represent the diverse culture of Athea. While Shayde shows off her confidence through her words, her thoughts are full of trepidations, shown through cyan narration boxes that contrast with the red squares of a violent voice that wants to break free.
Stoneheart #1 is a character-driven story that embraces the magical power that fantasy can create. By its second act, it becomes apparent that Shayde Whisper is no ordinary human. Even as a blacksmith, her extraordinary talent makes her the talk of the town. Kubert finds a way to keep the audience engaged in the suspense and drama, sending a reminder that it is not the destination, but the journey that makes a story compelling and develops characters.