Soulwind

by Scott Morse

Step into the Eisner Award-nominated world of Jay Stephens—a place where Roald Dahl walks arm-in-arm with Salvadore Dali and Winsor McCay to create fun and hilarious comics where the only thing that can be expected is to never know what's coming next.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics, Science Fiction, Fiction, Comic Book

520 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Scott Morse (sometimes known as C. Scott Morse or C. S. Morse) is an American animator, filmmaker, and comic book artist/writer.

Much of Morse's published work consists of stand-alone graphic novels, although he is perhaps best known for his epic series Soulwind, a story serialised in a sequence of graphic novels, which was nominated for both the Eisner and Ignatz awards.

Reviews

[Juho Pohjalainen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure I really got it, in the end. The story kept jumping all over the place in a way that made very little sense to me: I'm not even sure what the faeries and the alien land had to do with each other, if anything, or how those monks fit into the whole thing, or...

But it was all right. The faerie stuff towards the end I particularly liked. The art is nothing great, but it does its job.

[Jason Sanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soulwind by Scott Morse is the greatest graphic novel you haven't read or heard of. But that said, do realize this novel is both deceptively easy to read and extremely complex in its storytelling. Many elements of the plot only begin to make sense toward the story's end, but for those who stay with the novel you will be rewarded. Morse's stark black and white line artwork is also perfect for the story.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Philosophical garbage, but the binding is gorgeous. Scott Morse gets around to explaining an almost-cogent theory of everything in the final chapter, but before that we're treated to an endless elliptical narrative starring a sword (Soulwind), a boy, and an old woman. There are moments of near-fun, such as in the first chapter, when Nick is dropped into a strange fantasy world and told he is the chosen one who must obtain Soulwind. For a few moments, Soulwind almost reminded me of Bone. Similar art style too.

Then the old woman's narrative kicked in, offering an unexpected starring role to faeries and some other strangers. After that, Morse tried to meld together the old woman's narrative and the young boy's narrative and also explain Arthurian legends at the same time. This is all to say nothing of the interludes starring a young monk. If you can make sense of anything in Soulwind, you're probably Scott Morse.

[maxwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

very confusing throughout most of the novel - you are introduced to many different characters and stories, and then time travel and myths + legends and fairies are added to the mix. I really enjoyed the various different art styles, especially the kid like one with the woman when she was a child. the ending of it all ties things together but still a bit confused overall haha

[Carrie Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complex tale going between the story of a young boy who is transported across the universe trying to get the legendary sword Soulwind, an old woman who is somehow connected to him trying to figure out what has happened to her son, and another young boy who somehow is given the sword. One sword connects each story together. With a mixture of ancient myths, classic fairy tales, and a futuristic adventure throughout the universe, each part combines to create a very unique and intriguing tale. It will keep the reader guessing what will happen next.

This was one of the most interestingly laid out stories that I have ever read in a graphic novel. There are three main pieces of this story that I mentioned above. Throughout the entire plot, the story jumps back and forth between each of these elements. At first, this feels a bit disjointed but as you continue to get more and more pieces to the story, they flow together flawlessly. It takes some time to figure out what is actually going on in this story but once you do it really comes together so well. This helps the mystery continue on throughout a good portion of the plot with the reader able to use each piece. The way that the author has combined both fantastical elements along with the science fiction fits perfectly with the story.

The art fits along perfectly with the style of the writing and also the plot. Each of the different subplots is illustrated in a different way that fits the story that is being told along with them. Also, the black and white illustrations keep it subtle and simplistic. The style changes a bit for each of the parts but still feels like it connects so well together as a whole.

We start in a monastery with a little boy trying to figure out why the monks don’t like him having objects. He eventually finds a sword in the water. For these sections, there is a very minimalist style. Then we get pulled to another story with cartoony animals, primates, robots, and a boy who are all searching for a sword. Then there are the scenes with the older woman that seem to have both a whimsical style but also somewhat of a minimalistic style. Each of these gets switched between by page or by groups of pages. You never know where or how the story is going to go but that adds to the story as a whole.

Overall, I felt like this was a creative tale that stood out with its intricate plot, beautiful illustrations, fascinating characters, and a great mixture of fantasy and science fiction. If you like books with the chosen one but are much more complex than that you would probably be interested in this. Scott Morse created a story that resembles an ancient myth but that also feels modern in its storytelling. I highly recommend this.

* I received this for free for an honest review *

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not get into this. I think I get the plot but it's layered with time travel, worm holes, celtic myths etc. None of the characters are really fleshed out but they seem to serve as a narrative tool.
Stopped at Book 4.

[S.T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this more than I was expecting. It was a strange read and a bit confusing because of how much it jumped around between different worlds and times. But then it became beautiful when it all fell perfectly into place. It combines science fiction and fantasy with elements of ancient creation myths and a twist on Arthurian legend and I love how unique this story turned out.

[Emiliano De Napoli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opera davvero ambiziosa, con spunti davvero geniali. Convoluto andirivieni spazio temporale in una sorta di scontro bene/male non particolarmente elaborato. Disegni in bianco e nero con stili variegati, non sempre di chiarissima interpretazione. La storia però è di quelle che lasciano appagati al finale. Divorato.

[Richard · Rating 1 out of 5]

It boggles my mind that this was nominated for an Eisner. Morse can't even maintain basic spatial continuity from panel to panel, frequently jumping the line for no obvious reason and skipping important moments. This kind of technical ineptitude leaves you frequently asking questions like "who just shot him?" and "who is that?".

[Trond Gulvik Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story and beautiful art.

[Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review of this will soon be on No Flying No Tights.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

i almost think i ought'nt write a review of this book yet until I've read it a second time. For the first chapter or so, i found myself getting confused in a tangle of characters and times and sudden jumps (symptomatic of time-travel stories) but i found myself getting more into the messianic puzzle-piecing and faerie-mythos that the story is building through its 5 pounds of pages, until by the end i was really, really admiring the subtlety and wisdom of the book, and fond of all the different art styles employed throughout (I was just reading a comic yesterday in which there is an artist switch midway and it struck me as really jarring and unpleasant there, and its funny i was just about to make my mind up that changing styles midway is a bad idea, but this book changes my mind on that: i like *all* the art styles, pretty evenly actually.. and that actually surprised me. for a moment i wondered if there were multiple artists on this book but i think its all Scott Morse.)
As often happens, my experience and impression of this book is influenced by how i came into possession of it. at a used comic book shop in Santa Cruz, i found this on the shelves and was intrigued. the guy working there said this book was this guy's personal project for years and was so excited when he finished (i dont recall, but maybe the fellow said he knew Morse, i cant remember) and that it was about myths and legends.. in short, it sounded alot like a project of my own im working on, which seemed fortuitous. i asked him if this was his own copy he had put on the shelves for sale here and if so why, and he said his book shelves at home are so full he cant possibly fit any more and has to get rid of some before he can buy more, which i feel is easy enough to understand. it was months till i got the time to sit and read it, though as soon as i did i tore through it~~ its not as intimidating as it looks.
so being that i met this as an individual's magnum opus and a solo work, i read it as a person's personal triumph, thus i was impressed by the overall execution and just really happy to see what looked like some elaborate plot-working at play.. and i was impressed by how it wraps up in the end, though i'll spoil no more :)

and i *love* that the most cartoony character becomes the most epic and monstrous, and i love the way the sound "shoom" is the clue tying the transformation together.

[Ea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soulwind is a book that should be read with an open mind and patience. Have an open mind about different story telling techniques and have patience and know that even though you don't quite understand what the heck is going on in the book now, you will later on. Mr. Morse tells a very rich story and, I believe is best enjoyed in one volume, due to the many threads that one is asked to follow.
I also really loved the artwork in the book and how it changed for the different story threads. It really seemed to fit in this book and shows of Mr. Morse artistic skills.
I have given this book to several of my friends who like comics (mostly mainstream) and have asked them what they thought. Pretty much the same response each time, "It is strange... but great!" That is Soulwind in a nutshell.

[Ragnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one I read before, but just long enough ago that I forgot the plot and was able to read it again. It had been recommended to me as a King Arthur buff, but I wouldn't really classify it as a King Arthur story. Nice use of Cernunnos, a good twist on Arthur, and I still love the "Kid from Planet Earth" section.

[Matt Piechocinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I'm really giving it an extra star because of the indy/cartoony epicness of it all. It was a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon, but it sorta culminates into another Camelot tale, of which, there are many and better. But still, I think it's worth it, and I definitely want to check out more by Morse.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this book can be adequately described at all, it's about a boy and a sword and the soul of the earth and hope for the future. I dare you to find a sci-fi fantasy as zen as this one. It makes you think and feel and be. Scott Morse's masterpiece.
I read this maybe ten years ago and it's even better the second time around.

[robomatey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story moves in a freaky, elliptical orbit. Er, maybe more like crazy electrons. Scott Morse's style is perfectly suited for the story. I had to read it through a couple of times to pick up on all the plotlines, but it was never tediously confusing.

[Ryan Kooy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a story it’s fantastic, it would’ve gotten 5 stars but sometimes the art is really hard to follow. Seesaws between stunning beauty and a bit of a mess visually.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

A graphic novel about how the world began. Inter-mingled stories weave together a cast of characters in a tale of science fiction, myth and fairy tales.

[Davey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epic, moving fairy tale and faerie tale. Delicately intertwining stories distinguished by varied artistic styles and united by character and narrative. Worth a few reads.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very tough start, slightly confusing. In the end it all comes together but it is still kinda out there. Overall I enjoyed it but because of the jumping around I would not quickly recommend it.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was kind of a weird graphic novel. I feel like it the story was interesting, but there was too stuff to have in one book so the plot and characters seemed under developed.

[Federico · Rating 4 out of 5]

La trama è complessa al limite del confuso e lo stile lo è forse anche di più. Ciò detto, questo è un capolavoro di poesia, azione e riferimenti letterari. Felice di essermici perso