I found out about this on another web pag's "top 10 sci/fi fantasy comics of last year," and one look at their .jpeg of this series and I knew it would be good. I didn't know it would be F'ing amazing! There is "Where's Waldo" depth to every background, for one can get lost in looking at all the mini-battles going on all around. James adds depth to what could be seen as instantly dumb and simple (orcs), and this depth is both visual and visceral. The artwork is a pleasure to behold as is his coloring and inking skills (Rhasta-Trip!). I love everything about this book. At one point I questioned myself for liking it due to the high level of GONCHNESS and the gonch-like shapes of buildings and weapons and animals and the currency itself. But then I asked myself if it was not, infact, a part of nature, and thusly why can't civilizations pay tribute to natural forms?I get a lot of Akira vibrations while reading it (as far as the outlandish-yet-familiar nature of it, and some of the extreemes), I get Miyazaki vibes from it (as far as the wonder placed upon the animals [from mounts to head-dresses...Zazu was one of my favorite characters and he's a witch's hat!], yet its entirely its own work. I am excited for the series and I'm glad to know someone makes a living creating something that is this wholly its own. This is champion work, and I've done everything I can to put it in the hands of the friends I know who love graphic novels/comics/fantasy/anime. They have all loved it as well.But beware: While not a XXX title, and while not a big joke to get you to look at them, this book contains some pen-15. The most non-erotic pen-15 ever. I guess its the next punk frontier perhaps (now that drugs and violence are passe)...