In the eight minutes it took me to read the whole thing, I was constantly asking myself what the *&%^ was happening. There were scene shifts that don't make any sense, and I only have a vague understanding of the characters. I kind of know where this is going, sort of a Spiderwick Chronicles but with Grandfather's map and not the faerie book. This is another case where a complete read, instead of being broken up into nine installments, would completely help, because I am sure my questions get answered. But I have no vested interest as to the rest of the story now that I have to stop reading.

In Maps & Legends has the distinction of being the first born-digital comic that I’ve read since I’ve been out of the comic-reading habit for quite a while. I have to say I enjoyed it and it left me wanting to read more. The artwork is distinctive and affecting, nicely decorative without the constraints of realism that I remember from good small press non-superhero comics from my misspent youth. I liked the stylized pen-and-ink lines and sparing use of Photoshop effects.

The plot is still rather nascent which is okay for a first issue. There were enough otherworldly cues to keep me interested and I liked the inclusion of the main characters’ clueless ex-boyfriend as a sort of Arthur Dent voice of normality constantly drunkenly agog at the strange things going on. That’s a good touch for a fantasy story.

Yeah when I have a chance I’ll do a follow up on the other issues in the series. In Maps & Legends is steampunk enough to feel postmodern (I’m taking a cue from the galleon/airship hybrid) and fanciful to feel like the old classics and I want to know where they are going with the plot and characters.