By Benita Story

Crozonia by Beach Studios – written by Jim Su and Dan Merisanu, art by Jim Su

Part of my wanderings around Artist Alley at the Wizard World Chicago Comicon took me by the table of the creators of a comic book called Crozonia – an underworld city that, years before, had broken away from the iron-fisted rule of Atlantis and began to rule themselves in peace and harmony.  While life might be easier and less stringent under the new ruler, the city itself is falling apart and into ruins around the citizens.  All because, during World War II deserters from the US Navy stole the Triton of Poseidon to take to the Nazi’s.  For, without its magical protection, Crozonia seems doomed to die.

Except for the prophecy…

The art in this series of comics is reminiscent of early, Witchblade era, Michael Turner, and the coloring is very good, but my biggest complaint is the story.  Jim Su says he created the story while still in high school, and, to be honest with you, it shows.  It’s a story that has been used time and time again and the outcome is very predictable.  You’ve seen it in many of Walt Disney’s creations.

Sure, there are a few elements that have been changed, but it’s basically another story of a lost civilization being saved by an outworlder according to some prophecy that only the king (who conveniently dies so that his irresponsible offspring can attempt to prove themselves as worthy of being the next king/queen of the city) believes in, but, yet, again, conveniently, comes true just in the nick of time to save the day.

While predictable, the story is well written, and would appeal to kids and fans of light fantasy.  A note to parents:  This is a G rated comic book, at least through issue three and there is a very Disney-esque quality to the books.  Not having read the fourth issue, there could be a surprise in store, so I’m willing to give it the benefit of the doubt.