“AND... ACTION” ENTERTAINMENT
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Eric Dean Seaton
ART: Brandon Palas
COLORS: Andrew Dalhouse
LETTERS: Deron Bennett
ISBN: 978-1-930315-34-1; paperback (October 4, 2014)
216pp, Color, $14.99 U.S., $16.99 CAN
The Legend of the Mantamaji is a three-volume graphic novel series created by Eric Dean Seaton. Seaton has directed numerous episodes of television series for Disney Channel (including “That's So Raven” and “Jessie”) and Nickelodeon (including “The Thundermans” and “True Jackson, VP”).
The three volumes of The Legend of the Mantamaji were published in October 2014 (Book One), December 2014 (Book Two), and February 2015 (Book Three). The Legend of the Mantamaji focuses on a young man who learns that he is the last of a race of mystical knights, called the Mantamaji, that once protected the world. The Legend of the Mantamaji is written by Seaton; drawn by Brandon Palas; colored by Andrew Dalhouse; and lettered by Deron Bennett. I purchased a copy of the first book a few years ago, and having recently found it, I decided to read and review it.
The Legend of the Mantamaji Book One introduces Elijah Alexander. He is New York City's hottest and cockiest assistant district attorney (A.D.A.). He has big plans to leave the district attorney's office for the world of big business. What he does not know is that he is “The Last Mantamanji?”
The Mantamaji were mystical knights who once protected humanity, but they were made practically extinct by an ageless enemy. Now, that ancient evil has returned, and Elijah's destiny bluntly confronts him. His mother, Mariah, hides an astonishing secret. Her friend, Noah, wants to train Elijah. His girlfriend, Detective Sydney Spencer, is involved in an investigation that may be tied to Elijah destiny. And even if Elijah accepts his destiny, will it be as a hero or as someone out for himself?
Writer Eric Dean Seaton and artist Brandon Palas may not be seasoned veterans at creating comic books. Seaton works in cable network television. Palas shows a lack of polish in figure drawing and composition. Still, their storytelling is clean and clear. Thematically, Seaton and Palas focus on the struggle between selflessness and selfishness, and the fate of mankind rests on which side Elijah Alexander chooses and how long it takes him to choose. Besides, colorist Andrew Dalhouse and letterer Deron Bennett add that veteran's touch that gives The Legend of the Mantamaji Book One some polish and professional sheen. This is not an off-the-wall comic book; it is a snazzy graphic novel package worthy of being of the shelves with big comic book corporations' publications.
I consider The Legend of the Mantamaji Book One to be an easy graphic novel to recommend because it is so fun to read. Its internal mythology is edgy, with complications that seem to cause real hardships for the heroes. The obstacles in front of the heroes are interesting, and the villain is shameless in his self-aggrandizing and in his singular vision that his violence will lead to a better world.
I also think that it is a good idea to publish The Legend of the Mantamaji as a series of graphic novels, which allows the narrative to stretch out and feel its way around the plot lines, characters, settings, and back story. If this had been published as a miniseries, I think the story would have struggled to make sense. It has been about three-and-half years since The Legend of the Mantamaji Book One debuted, but time has nothing to do with the fact that this is a good comic book. It is not a great work, but the writer and the illustrator are striving to keep getting better as the story gets more exciting.
7 out of 10
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Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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