Review: Rex Mundi by Arvid Nelson, Eric J & Jeromy Cox

This Book Is About

My Thoughts On This Book

I discovered this exciting alternative history grail quest conspiracy story at the Dark Horse booth at the 2007 ComiCon. It was at the back of their crowded retail area, so I’m glad I persevered after knocking over a whole shelf of graphic novels at their booth instead of slinking away in embarrassment (the funny part of the incident is that I upset the shelf with my vest in my attempt to NOT upset the shelf with my backpack. It’s a funny story, but I’ll save it for somewhere else).

The time is 1933, the place is Paris, France. The Holy Roman and the Ottoman empires are still going, as are the Inquisitors. The Napoleonic Wars never happened and the American Civil War was a draw. Our hero is the humanitarian young doctor, Julien Saunière, who has a private practice and is one of the only physicians who’ll treat the Jews (most of whom have already fled France for the New World). Julien becomes embroiled in the plot when an elderly priest friend of his asks for his help figuring out how some hidden scrolls under his care where stolen. Soon he’s discovering secret, golden temples in the sewers and gradually drawing the plot curtain to reveal tantalizing peeps at a conspiracy going back to the Knights Templar.

Calling Rex Mundi a suspenseful thriller is like saying the core of the sun is warmish. I bought both book one and book two at the Con and I’ve been holding off finishing the last of the second volume just to prolong the excitement. As you read, the overall picture is masterfully revealed in teasing little pieces; you keep going, “oh!”, “so that’s why!” and, “oh my-!”.

The writing is great and the artwork is really good and realistic. Colors are employed well, the lettering is crisp and the framing a good mix of cinematic and comic book. The illustrations are printed on black paper, which I always love in a graphic novel or comic because it really concentrates the visuals. The overall effect is real and gritty.

But not without humor, slyly tucked in here and there. Between each story is the front page of the ‘newspaper’ with stories that show the effects of events in the comic and that, most importantly, give place-in-time information. They also have little tongue-in-check articles about modern events if they had happened in this alternative history setting, like Paris Hilton and that whole Janet Jackson breast thing.

Political intrigue, conspiracy, betrayal, magic and murder. Think Da Vinci Code but crank the volume up about two more dials.

Rating & Levels For This Book

Author and Publishing Information For This Book

I Give This Book three Vikings out of five	Violence Level three Burning huts out of five	Romance Level two Hearts out of five
# of actual vikings in book: 0 What do these levels mean? »	Humor Level one Smile out of five	Lust Level two Kisses out of five

Author & Book Details Title: Rex Mundi: The Guardian of the Temple Author(s): Arvid Nelson, Eric J (art) & Jeromy Cox (color) ISBN#: 1593076525 Genre(s): Alternative history grail hunt suspense Edition Reviewed: First edition paperback trade Illustrations: Color Page Count: 176 Part of a Series: Yes, volume one (collecting issues 1-5)

Publishing & Copyright Details Publisher(s): Dark Horse Copyright: 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 In Print: Yes Original Language: English Published in Other Languages: Yes; German, French, Italian, Spanish, and even Portuguese Find a Local Comic Shop » Find a Local Book Store »

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