Sacred Circles
Published by Birch Bark Comics
24 pages
$4.95.

Long ago, a medicine man sought to harness the power of the spirits of the forest, for his selfish gain. Imprisoned by said spirits, for his affront, his evil is ended... until the arrival of modern man, 300 years later, in the form of a man- and-wife archeological team, with children in tow. As might be expected, a series of actions by said group awaken the long-bound spirit, still intent on evil. Chaos ensues.

That's the long and short of Sacred Circles #1, from Birch Bark Comics. While not the most original of concepts, it is wrought with potential, and, quite possibly, one of the most beautiful works to hit comic racks this year. Brandon Mitchell pens an enjoyable tale, made so by characterization, more than plot. The children (a brother, sister, and brother's buddy) steal the show in this title, their "Our Gang" type antics lending a chuckle, compounded by a feeling of impending disaster; gotta LOVE that feeling.

Even more attractive, however, is the art by penciller Nicholas Bradshaw and colorist Jean-Francois Beaulieu.

The Sacred Circle website claims the work is "Sure to please fans of comics as well as animation..." They're not wrong. Scoring a very "Disney" look, the style is beautifully appealing, and just plain fun! Great for high-action sequences, which seem, largely, to drive the tale. If I had to complain, I suppose it would be about the near-inability to read the translation script at the bottom of the panels in which characters are speaking their native language.

Instead of simply being laid across the artwork, a script box would have been preferable. Otherwise, no complaints about this book.

Sacred Circles is recommended for all ages, and for those who enjoy fantasy, adventure, and animation.

Find it at your local comic shop (as it just became available through Diamond Distribution), online auctions and catalogs, and at www.birchbarkcomics.com. For the comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook.

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