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Aquila #1-5
Aquila: Blood of the Iceni
He was one of the rebellious gladiator-slaves crucified by the Romans for being part of Spartacus's uprising, and in his dying moments he called out to the gods for vengeance. Something heard him, and brought him back from the dead in exchange for his soul.
ENTER THE SOUL TRADER!
It was a time of great turmoil. Slave-turned-gladiator Aquila was amongst those crucified following Spartacus’s failed revolt. Dying a slow death, he cried out to the gods for vengeance – and Ammit the Devourer answered, offering him invulnerability in return for the souls of evil men. Now, Aquila hunts the breadth of the Empire determined to repay his unholy debt.
Aquila is a blood-soaked action adventure from the creative team of Gordon Rennie ( Absalom, White Trash ), Leigh Gallagher ( Defoe, Bionicle ) and Patrick Goddard ( Savage, Sinister Dexter ).
ENTER THE SOUL TRADER!
It was a time of great turmoil. Slave-turned-gladiator Aquila was amongst those crucified following Spartacus’s failed revolt. Dying a slow death, he cried out to the gods for vengeance – and Ammit the Devourer answered, offering him invulnerability in return for the souls of evil men. Now, Aquila hunts the breadth of the Empire determined to repay his unholy debt.
Aquila is a blood-soaked action adventure from the creative team of Gordon Rennie ( Absalom, White Trash ), Leigh Gallagher ( Defoe, Bionicle ) and Patrick Goddard ( Savage, Sinister Dexter ).
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 12, 2016
About the author
Gordon Rennie
396 books34 followersFreelance writer for over 20 years – When he’s not being ungainfully employed as a BAFTA-nominated video games scriptwriter, he keeps himself busy writing comics, novels, screenplays and Doctor Who audio plays. Comics work includes Predator, Judge Dredd, Rogue Trooper, Missionary Man, Necronauts, Caballistics Inc and Absalom, and Dept. of Monsterology for Renegade.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 12, 2017
A hack-and-slash full-of-violence secret-history dark-fantasy graphic novel. Aquila had some interesting ideas beyond violence. It promised a longer stories, beyond the current arc, and there were 2 interesting characters that stole my attention.
The two minor characters that stole my attention are:
1. Felix Fortunatus, a coward roman soldier turned to Aquila's aid. I have my hope Aquila shared some of his immortality to Felix. A common coward could not survived multiple fighting between deities' champions.
2. Triscus The Diviner. Some kind of clairvoyance detective. Interesting concept character, although his role in story as POV, but he was not contribute much for plot.
Unfortunately, there was not much explanation about the magic rules. Like what made Aquila different than other champions of Devourers or champions of other deities.
The two minor characters that stole my attention are:
1. Felix Fortunatus, a coward roman soldier turned to Aquila's aid. I have my hope Aquila shared some of his immortality to Felix. A common coward could not survived multiple fighting between deities' champions.
2. Triscus The Diviner. Some kind of clairvoyance detective. Interesting concept character, although his role in story as POV, but he was not contribute much for plot.
Unfortunately, there was not much explanation about the magic rules. Like what made Aquila different than other champions of Devourers or champions of other deities.
September 14, 2020
Gory (really gory) tale of Roman vengeance, gods, demons and general bloody mayhem. The history element is pretty authentic and the artwork is top notch. There are shades of the old 2000AD classic, Black Hawk, and it's all good fun. It drops a couple of stars - I'm being picky - as the story never really progresses (more volumes to come?) and the mystical stuff doesn't quite gel. The problem with sword and sorcery for me was always the sorcery.
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March 11, 2015Entertainingly brutal post-Spartacus romp through the ancient world at its moment of religious crisis; just a shame our hero doesn't quite manage to prevent the rise of christianity.
December 5, 2021
A collected edition of a strip from 2000ad.
There is no doubt this was a bloodthirsty little story with a interesting setting and story of the move between old and new religions. I really enjoyed the use of prophesy and soothsayers in the tale. The suspension of disbelief was easy as you sand into the narrative.
The art was fantastic. The use of different points of view and angles added visceral impact to some of the more horrifying scenes, hats off to the creators of this.
What I particularly enjoyed was the way the story felt like it had an end. It was a nicely complete tale. The main protagonist was strangely blank in terms of character but the secondary players were well realised I thought.
In the end I enjoyed my time in this book. I can ask no more than that.
There is no doubt this was a bloodthirsty little story with a interesting setting and story of the move between old and new religions. I really enjoyed the use of prophesy and soothsayers in the tale. The suspension of disbelief was easy as you sand into the narrative.
The art was fantastic. The use of different points of view and angles added visceral impact to some of the more horrifying scenes, hats off to the creators of this.
What I particularly enjoyed was the way the story felt like it had an end. It was a nicely complete tale. The main protagonist was strangely blank in terms of character but the secondary players were well realised I thought.
In the end I enjoyed my time in this book. I can ask no more than that.
September 12, 2020
Aquila: Blood of the Iceni delivers an entertaining action romp set in a Roman empire in turmoil. Gordon Rennie tells a story of warring gods using humans as pawns, and the former slave that slashes his way thru most of them, in a way that the sometimes over-the-top violence is aided by character moments and a good pacing.
Not a masterpiece, but if you are a fan of swords and sandals, with fantasy and violences sparkled all over it, this one will be a good read for you.
Not a masterpiece, but if you are a fan of swords and sandals, with fantasy and violences sparkled all over it, this one will be a good read for you.
May 6, 2022
I was pleasantly surprised. Based on the cover, I had very low expectations.
It’s a violent, fantasy adventure in the Roman Empire. Years before the Egyptian God Ammit the Devourer featured as an antagonist to Moon Knight, 2000AD had her resurrect an executed gladiator and give him the mission of sending her souls.
The story moves through different time periods, from the revolution of Spartacus, Rome’s invasion of Britannia, and the reign of Nero. Battling gods, monsters and madmen, Aquila held my interest to the finish.
It’s a violent, fantasy adventure in the Roman Empire. Years before the Egyptian God Ammit the Devourer featured as an antagonist to Moon Knight, 2000AD had her resurrect an executed gladiator and give him the mission of sending her souls.
The story moves through different time periods, from the revolution of Spartacus, Rome’s invasion of Britannia, and the reign of Nero. Battling gods, monsters and madmen, Aquila held my interest to the finish.
October 27, 2018
Good, but two thirds in the book and the blood and gore are too much over the top for me, and the protagonist development is a bit lacking. A nice and fun ride nonetheless.
June 19, 2023
Not much of a story.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews