I remember watching Lord of The Rings: Fellowship of the Rings, for the first time and the effect it had on me. I did read the book, and I found it entertaining but had no desire to re-read it, as Tolkien’s writing can prove to be exhausting. I also watched the movie by Ralph Bakshi, and found that he tried to put too much in such a little time. That is why Peter Jackson’s adaptation felt not only true to Tolkien’s books but appropriate in time to what the books were trying to say.

Jackson, brought back what everyone in my age group, loved about reading high fantasy books like Shannara Chronicles, what attracted some to playing a great book, that is a must have for any fan of action adventuresDungeons & Dragons and watching movies like Conan, the adventure.  I did not realize until years later, that the books my mom and my aunts held in such high esteem, Carlos Bulosan’s America Is in the Heart, was also an action adventure. My personal favorite action adventures were the ones that were interwoven into Kung Fu movies, the type you could spend a whole afternoon looking through a rack of movies at Suncoast Video through, for movies like Storm Riders. I had not seen anything resembling those movies in years, and don’t fancy myself a reader of manga, where most of those swordplay type stories resided. So, when I heard the storyline of Jerry Ma’s Legend, it sounded right up my alley, as I had not seen anything like this in years.

In the opening pages, we are introduced to brothers, Poc and Troy, who are thicker than thieves, just regular men living in a quiet village, who hunt and fish for sustenance and for wages. When one of the brothers hear about an old legend, the mystical waterfall known as Dragon’s Tears, which whoever drink from it, supposedly gains powers, this propels the brothers, joined by Troy’s girlfriend, Mei-Ling, to set out an adventure to find out if it is merely a children’s story or if it’s true. What follows is a treacherous road, filled with orc-like goons, natural disasters, demons, and a dragon. By the end of the book, it appears our team is separated and defeated, and only time will tell if they find each other.

Overall, a great book, that is a must have for any fan of action adventures as it meets those needs and then some. The story by Jerry Ma, has modern sensibilities within a medieval setting, a la Knight’s Tale. The art by Ma, is always excellent, as his style captures characters, settings, and actions sequences, in a stunning way, and in a unique fashion that only he can bring it. Altogether, a fun ride that will keep the reader wanting more.

Story: Jerry Ma Art: Jerry Ma
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy