Artesia

    (Sirius, 1999-2002)
™ and ©1998 Mark Smylie

War, love, lust, hate—Artesia has it all. Artesia is the tale of Artesia, a mercenary captain in a fantasy world that combines the best storytelling methods of Homer, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Howard, and Tolkien, adds a healthy dose of classical mythological syncretism, a deep and rich history, and engaging characters—all melded to an incredible, breathtaking art.

Smylie, in his hubris, attempts to one–up all the classical tellers of myth and legend by creating his own world, a take on our own sans monotheism and all that followed therewith—and succeeds. It is a world in which a woman can rule by her skills with the blade as well as her talents in the boudoir. Definitely not for children, this adult fantasy trivializes nothing, from the gut–wrenching horrors of war to the mystical power of sex.

The best thing about the series, though, is that it takes its time to tell the tale of Artesia’s rise from mercenary captain to Highlands queen. Nothing is missed in the rich tapestry of Smylie’s world, which will leave readers wanting more and eagerly awaiting the next installment.

— James Mishler
Jump to issue:
  • 1
    #1
    Regular Cover by Mark Smylie
    Jan 1999
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Mark Smylie  ·  A: Mark Smylie
    2 copies from $2.25
  • 1/LE
    #1 Limited Edition
    Signed & Numbered to 1,000 copies, this issue also features different inside cover art
    Jan 1999
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Mark Smylie  ·  A: Mark Smylie
    1 copy for $94.99
  • 2
    #2
    Feb 1999
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Mark Smylie  ·  A: Mark Smylie
    3 copies from $2.95
  • 3
    #3
    Mar 1999
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Mark Smylie  ·  A: Mark Smylie
    2 copies from $4.98
  • 4
    #4
    Apr 1999
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Mark Smylie  ·  A: Mark Smylie
    1 copy for $2.99
  • 5
    #5
    May 1999
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Mark Smylie  ·  A: Mark Smylie
    2 copies from $3.50
  • 6
    #6
    Jun 1999
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Mark Smylie  ·  A: Mark Smylie
    2 copies from $7.98
  • Anl 1
    Annual #1
    Jul 1999
    Cover: $3.50
    W: Mark Smylie  ·  A: Mark Smylie
    Includes two fully-illustrated short stories, plus a gatefold guide to secondary characters
    2 copies from $9.99
  • Anl 2
    Annual #2
    Jan 2001
    Cover: $3.95
    W: Mark Smylie  ·  A: Mark Smylie
    Includes two fully-illustrated short stories, plus a guide to the realms of ARTESIA.
    1 copy for $6.98
  • Anl 3
    Annual #3
    Jul 1953
    Cover: $4.95
    W: Mark Smylie  ·  A: Mark Smylie
    1 copy for $144.98
  • Bk 1
    Book #1
    Collects Artesia #1-6, wraparound cover
    Sep 1999
    Cover: $24.95
    W: Mark Smylie  ·  A: Mark Smylie
    1 copy for $34.98
  • Bk 1/HC-3
    Book #1 Hardcover - 3rd printing
    3rd Printing Cover by Mark Smylie
    Nov 2006
    Cover: $24.95
    W: Mark Smylie  ·  A: Mark Smylie
    Collects Artesia #1-6
    1 copy for $24.95