Review: "Jirni" Volume 1: Issue 1

Discover a whole new world of adventure! Trekking through a violent and dangerous frontier of savage barbarians, devious thieves, and wild creatures, a warrior-princess named Ara searches for her mother, who was stolen away from her kingdom by a mysterious sorcerer with the help of his powerful D'jinn.  What great and terrible secrets await her in the distant horizon? Prepare to experience an epic tale of fantasy and wonder without boundaries. This is Ara's quest. This is Ara's destiny. This is Ara's - JIRNI.

From Aspen comics comes the start of an exciting adventure into a dangerous and lush world that is as gorgeously drawn and colored as it is excitingly written.

Harking back to a simpler time of swords and sorcery, "Jirni" is a series that shows a lot of promise as an exciting, almost pulpy kind of adventure that is sure to enthrall readers who might be tired of the capes and heroes schtik, or who have tried other fantasy series before but seem overwhelmed.

"Jirni" does a fantastic job of slowly showing readers into it's world and not beating them over the head with complicated terms and names all at once. The first issue does a fantastic job of showing is it's main character, Ara, and her badass attitude and skills; but also quickly reminds is Ara isn't just a sexy killing machine, and we get a small glimpse of her past, and through internal monologue we see her ambition and longing for answers, as well as a quick glimpse of the antagonist and his power and abilities as he uses his murderous demon in a bottle, his D'jinn, to quickly and mercilessly dispatch and band of thieves in the desert.

This is a great part as we even see the D'jinn has a character, in a small sentimental moment where he stares longingly across the desert and quietley says "Home".

DC/Marvel alum J.T. Krul is the one in charge of the story and writing, and he does a great job. His work in the mainstream industry really shines with some crisp and clean dialogue that doesn't ramble and reads very fluidly. The universe Krul created is one that, on the surface, seems like something we've seen before; but has it's own charm and spin on things. It's not the typical "Tolkien" world so many fantasy series seem to borrow from so heavily, instead "Jirni" feels like something that's in a world that borrows from Edgar Rice Burroughs and some more modern fantasy like Blizzard's Warcraft.

In an interview with First Comic News, Krul spoke of the universe he created:

There is a big Arabian /Middle Eastern vibe to the story. We are definitely playing up the Aladdin motif, but there is more to it than that. I love that genre if you will, and really am using it as a springboard to launch this grand adventure.

Artist Paolo Pantalena has a style with women almost similar to Michael Turner of "Witchblade" fame; and that's not a bad thing. As seen on his DeviantArt, Pantalena has an amazing amount of talent that makes sure "Jirni" is just as pleasing to look at as it is to read, once again drawing me back to a more "classic" kind of comic-book. Colorist Brett Smith compliments Pantalena's artwork magnificently as well, with a beautiful pallet for the jungle that Ara treks through. The colors pop and nothing ever looks murky or dull.

All said and done, "Jirni" is a series that has definite staying power with readers. It's the classic blend of adventure and action that I can see hooking a wide margin of readers.