Prophecy of the Soul Sorcerer

    (Arcane Comics, 1998-1999)
™ and © Arcane

When an evil ancient sorcerer is resurrected in New York City, District Attorney Elijah Alexander finds out that he is destined to be one of a group of wizards fighting to protect the world from this ancient threat. Still dealing with the death of his mother and trying to maintain a normal life with his fiancée, Alexander nevertheless accepts his role as the costumed mystic hero The Soul Sorcerer.

Combining fantasy and super-heroes is a simple task for series writer Eric Dean Seaton, who has a clear understanding of good, creative storytelling and uses that knowledge to its fullest. Armed with more than just a good concept, Seaton’s execution is dead on target, knowing not only what to tell, but how to tell it and when.

The series begins with a simple intro that explains the situation and motives of the main character, and the complexity slowly builds at a clip that the reader can digest. Moving at a brisk pace, the storyline is slow enough to fully absorb with no confusion but quick enough to maintain interest. Secondary characters are eased in rather than forced, and are given significant space to develop and further the story. Individual sequences are often lengthy but not drawn-out, giving adequate opportunity for situations to develop without excessive and intrusive scene shifts.

Like Highlander or The X-Files, Seaton succeeds at convincingly introducing the idea of the supernatural into an urban setting, integrating it into everything from trendy nightclubs to local churches — with super-heroics thrown in. This alone sets it apart from most fantasy-themed comics, but the overall storytelling sets it apart from most comics, period. The only blemish on this series would be its spotty publishing schedule, but this is one of the few series that make the wait worthwhile.

— Jim Johnson
Jump to issue:
  NotesWriterArtist
#1

May, 1999
Cover Price: $2.95
4 copies available from $3.98 		Eric Dean SeatonSteven Mundell
#1 Variation A (Cover A by Patrick Blaine)

May, 1999
Cover Price: $2.95
1 copy available for $9.98 		Eric Dean SeatonSteven Mundell
#2

June, 1999
Cover Price: $2.95
2 copies available from $3.98 		Eric Dean SeatonPatrick Blaine
#2 Variation A (Cover A by Patrick Blaine)

June, 1999
Cover Price: $2.95
1 copy available for $3.98 		Eric Dean SeatonPatrick Blaine
#3

July, 1999
Cover Price: $2.95
5 copies available from $3.75 		Eric Dean SeatonPatrick Blaine
#3 Variation A (Cover A by Patrick Blaine)

July, 1999
Cover Price: $2.95
2 copies available from $3.98 		Eric Dean SeatonPatrick Blaine
#4

September, 1999
Cover Price: $2.95
4 copies available from $2.98 		Eric Dean SeatonPatrick Blaine
#4 Variation A (Cover A by Patrick Blaine)

September, 1999
Cover Price: $2.95
2 copies available from $1.00 		Eric Dean SeatonPatrick Blaine
Ashcan #1

October, 1998
Cover Price: $1.99
5 copies available from $4.98 		Eric Dean SeatonSteven Mundell