Here we’ve got a fresh offering from two new creators.  As far as I understand, this is both Stuart
C. Paul and Christian Duce’s first foyer into comics.  I have to say, they’re beginning their comics
career with a bang with this series.

I’m going to start with Christian Duce’s art.  It is gorgeous!  Combine that with Carlos Badilla’s moody
coloring and you’ve got the perfect setting for this dark tale.  Duce’s art is incredibly detailed, even when
he’s drawing the city of ancient Rome.  Duce also has a realistic style so it fits
the story well, almost like a movie. 
Each shot is well chosen and believably conveys each scene as we
progress through the story.  He even does
a good job of giving each character some defining facial features which makes
it easier to distinguish them in an issue that is heavy on characters.

I can tell Paul has done his research for this story.  While Duce is busy creating an accurate
representation of ancient Rome
visually, Paul is doing it within the story. 
Whether it’s in the dialogue or the names, everything that’s discussed
feels like it belongs in this world. 
Even the supernatural elements don’t seem forced.  It seems like everyone in the story is
reacting appropriately to these extraordinary events.

If I have any complaints about the issue, they are very
minor.  The narration mixed with the
heavy dialogue did run a little long through the middle of the book.  But the great beginning and the end more than
make up for it.  Don’t misunderstand me,
I do like the narration.  I think it
helped fill in a lot of information that probably couldn’t have been given
otherwise.  Like I said, it’s a minor
complaint. 

Overall, a great first issue!  Paul did a good job of getting us into this
world, setting up the characters, and dropping enough clues to begin the
mystery in the story.  I’m so glad this
mini-series is starting off strong.  Ever
since seeing the preview for it I have eagerly anticipated this series.  So far, so good.  I’m ready to read more!