Created & Written By: Mark London
Artist: Robert Stotz
Colorist: Jonathan Prada
Cover Artist: Michael Camelo
Cover Colorist: Tekino
Book Design & Lettering By: Miguel Angel Zapata
Published By: Mad Cave Studios
Release Date: 5th February 2020
I have been covering the Battlecats comics now for the past two volumes, following their characters and seeing how the story evolves over time as Valderia & its people face a new turbulent time as a violent uprising takes it’s grips on the realm. The team behind Mad Cave Studios have been working tirelessly for years to develop the story, having not only just written a plot but created an entire civilisation & a vast history behind it’s foundations. Now Mark London, along with his creative team, have developed a short four issue mini series that will shine some light on the generations of Lionborne in the Eramad lineage as well as other notable figures that held the title of Battlecats.
First off we look back on a time when Eramad I reigned and was beginning to unite Valderia, all the while sending his most trusted warrior to battle against the Skeleton Lord. We witness a King that looks back on his decisions with regret, after the loss of a dear friend. Beside him to carry out his orders and to seek council from is Natharien. The same old hound that served the two Kings that followed Eramad I. This issue looks back just for a brief moment on the first Lionborne, as we get a glimpse of what sort of a feline he was. We are later shown a fierce battle that was fought against the Skeleton Lord. Mad Cave Studios has also included a character description of all three of the Eramad Kings, as written by Natharien.
The next three issue cover arts also feature at the end of this issue and they give us a glimpse into what we can expect from them. Issue 1 will be released on the 5th of February, with a new issue following every month until this four part series is complete. I am delighted the team over at Mad Cave have developed this side series, as we all patiently await Volume 3 of the main story. This can also be a good starting point for those that haven’t read Volumes 1 & 2 of the Battlecats saga, but I feel this would be more appreciated by existing fans who already have some idea about the characters. Either way it’s a good filler point before Volume 3 comes out. It will be interesting to see what Issue 2 will have in store.
If you would like to pre-order your copy today, then check out the link below that will take you straight to the Mad Cave website!
https://madcavestudios.com/product/battlecats-tales-of-valderia-1
Overall: 7/10
