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Review: Legend of Mantamaji: Book Three

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Who doesn’t love a good trilogy?  The anchor that ends a series is what fans most look out for. There are tons of books which end in trilogies. There is something endearing when a story ends in three parts versus a series of books which elevate the protagonist undergoes a transformation. Stephen King’s The Stand, could have been easily broken into three parts, but King decide to gift fans in one massive tome.

I, like most fans, remember movies as the most memorable, when one talks about trilogies. The most famous being Star Wars, where Luke Skywalker both accepts his fate and becomes someone different by the end. The most indelible part of the Return of the Jedi, is when our heroes, knowing that may not make it out alive, still fight because they know that it is right. This is what brings me the finale of the Legend of Mantamaji.

We catch up with Elijah, shortly after he is betrayed and left for dead by Sibach. Chonpin, one of the Sanctuants rescues and nurses Elijah back to health. This is when Elijah, finally finds out he truth about why Manatamji fell to Horsemen and Brother Hope. By book’s end, Elijah and Brother Hope, clash in a final showdown, that leaves one of them dead.

Overall, an excellent ending to a powerful series that will make you wonder why this has never been brought to the big screen. The story by Eric Dean Stanton is exciting, powerful, and satisfying. The art by Brandon Palas is gorgeous. Altogether, a firecracker ending that will please fans of this series.

Story: Eric Dean Stanton Art: Brandon Palas
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Legend of the Mantamaji Book Two

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No matter where you are in the world, each place has its own mythology. Each culture has stories that makes up the base of its own beliefs, that makes where they are from, almost supernatural. In Japan, much of their mythology is tied to centuries of Shogun rule, the Shinto religion and immortalization of the Samurai. In North Africa, the Berbers, were known for their belief in Maraboutism, where they prayed to their dead ancestors, who they believed they drew strength from.

In Scandinavia, the Sami shamanists believed in in Animals spirits, the most prominent being the Bear Cult.in Australia, the Aborigines, believed in Dream Time, a mythic topography of the continent. Comics have delved in their own mythology, but very few, feel visceral. In Book Two of The Legend of the Mantamaji the reader gets a mythology that feels very prescient with a new set of characters that gives our heroes someone to contend with.

We catch up with Elijah, as he confronts Commander Cotton, leader of Hope’s Temple, who he believes is Sibach, the ancient evil, that Elijah had been called for. As Elijah looks for clues, Cotton, calls on the Four Horsemen, four superpowered beings, that can bring hell on earth. They end up wreaking havoc across New York and Elijah finds some unexpected help from the Sanctuants, an ancient female order, who are looked at as equals to the Mantamaji. By book’s end, a betrayal leaves our hero winning the battle but ultimately defeated.

Overall, an excellent book that improves on the arc of the first book, as this makes the consequences substantial. The story by Eric Dean Stanton action packed and complex. The art by Brandon Palas is beautiful and vivid. Altogether, this sequel is the punch in the mouth the reader was not expecting.

Story: Eric Dean Stanton Art: Brandon Palas
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy