Coming Home: 4 (Meridian (Cross Generation Comics Full Size)) [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

I've caught up with most of the defunct CrossGen titles by now, and I'll say to the world that Sephie of Meridian is the most appealing character in the CrossGen universe. MERIDIAN Vol. 4: COMING HOME collects issues #21-26 and this one, so far, is the last trade to reprint this series. CrossGen went bankrupt in 2004 so it hasn't really been that long. I've still hopes that the rest of the issues will be collected in trade (the series ran for 44 issues). Heck, I'm still hoping someone with pull will pick up Sephie's story. Same for the rest of the CrossGen comics, or most of them, anyway.

Long ago, on the planet Demetria, a terrible cataclysm on the world's surface catapulted gigantic rocks into the sky where they hung around, kept buoyant by ores with lighter-than-air properties. These rocks then were fashioned into floating island city-states with trade between them becoming the primary source of commerce.

The prosperous floating city of Meridian is inhabited by renowned shipbuilders and highly coveted by Ilahn, the dour Minister of the floating city of Cadador. When Ilahn poisons Turos, the Minister of Meridian - who happens to be his brother - he sets in motion an epic adventure full of blood and thunder and war in which he's cast as the villain. MERIDIAN is set in the shared CrossGen Universe - also known as the Sigilverse - and so the mysterious sigils - brands which bestow amazing powers to their bearers - soon make their presence known. Ilahn is the benefactor of one sigil which marks his throat and grants him the power of decay and destruction. Ilahn becomes the new Minister of Meridian and begins to crush the city under his boot heel.

But a sigil has also passed on to young Sephie, daughter of the murdered Turos, and Sephie now has the power of renewal, of healing and immeasurable energy. Sephie, gentle and inexperienced, now bears the burden of freeing her people and reclaiming Meridian. She flees Ilahn's clutches and undertakes an arduous journey. She begins to foment insurrection. She has tons to learn.

The fourth volume and writer Barbara Kesel and fabulous artist Steve McNiven have brought us to this point now, when after many adventures Sephie, ready or not, at last returns to Meridian and must face her uncle Ilahn in battle. Sephie has made alliances but still finds herself overwhelmed by a new and terrifying war machine called a cannon. Too, Ilahn is aided by one of the ever meddling godlike Firsts. One edge for Sephie is the knowledge and tactics she'd picked up from the otherworlder Samandahl Rey. Will it be enough?

I can see why MERIDIAN was regarded with such favor. Great writing, great art, awesome teenaged heroine. Thru all she's endured, Sephie retains an innocence about her, and this innocence is her most endearing quality. Kesel juggles a vast and likable cast, but it's really all about Sephie (okay, okay, Ilahn himself is a dark and fascinating character). We see Sephie forced to grow up quick. We see her good heart and watch as she rails against committing acts of violence, however necessary. And we see her learn the true burden of leadership, that responsibility must inevitably trump personal desires and personal choice. There's romance for Sephie with her dashing best friend, but she nips that in the bud because of the distraction it provides. And then Sephie finds herself confronted with a horrible choice: save the life of a loved one or save as many people as she can. Tears and heartbreak and betrayal and the mantle of command, they murder Sephie's youth. I wish I knew how everything turned out.

With the great art, young woman focus, and advanture storyline, I have just now gotten into comic books! I can't put down each book that comes out until I finish it. I definitely recommend this series to any teen-age girl. Doing what must be done, Sephie is moral and brave. Like I said, I can't wait for the fifth book!

Beautiful illustrations engaging story line and fantastically colored, Meridian is one of my favorite comics of all time. I really wish that Crossgen could comeback so i can read later issues past the fourth book :/
awesome read for any comic fantasy lovers. The story line is engaging and original. You'll not find it's equal anywhere. All books are a must read!