Castle Waiting: The Lucky Road

Rating:
Summary: Charm, Style, and Humor. And you thought comics were dead!
Review: At first glance, CW appears to be a warmly illustrated children's comic. After awhile, however, parents and older siblings will realize that the book finds its most appreciate audience in themselves. (Subtle adult jokes sneak in between the all-ages appeal.)

With a delightful fairytale veneer (and a pleasantly researched medieval backdrop), quirky and endearing characters, and the promise of many unfolding storylines to come, it's no surprise that Castle Waiting is a rising star in the industry.

Linda Medley's narrative wit and lovely artistic style (not to mention Todd Klein's typically excellent lettering) make this entire book a pure delight. Here's hoping the word gets out about this wonderful effort.

Rating:
Summary: The Lucky Reader
Review: CASTLE WAITING was one of those books that I always looked at suspiciously. Try as I might, it seemed like one of those well-meaning independent comics that was a labor of love that would be so embedded in fantasy traditions, or so hellbent on smashing those traditions, that, in my mind, I granted the books the appeal of cod liver oil.

Instead, CASTLE WAITING is quiet. Linda Medley's linework is a touch too well-defined for my tastes, but it suits her characters and setting. Here, she creates a fantasy world that brings to life the types of characters that populate fairy tales and gives them comfortable personalities, warmth, and time to develop. The residents of the castle are much like the supportive but easygoing neighbors we see in contemporary stories in other media.

Though Medley creates some conflicts and a degree of pending menace, this volume's greatest fault may be it's relative lack of dramatic tension. Comic book readers used to rapidly propelled stories may find themselves having to adjust to the more relaxed pace. That is really just your cue to sit back and enjoy the details.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best that snuck under the radar
Review: Go buy "Castle Waiting". Now. Whatever you can get your hands on, however many copies you can find. This is one of those amazing books that you just don't come across often enough.

Linda Medley's artwork is charming. Her stories are delightful. I don't think I can recommend this book *enough* to anyone who loves faery tales, graphic novels, comics in general, or just good stories and good art. I keep going back to re-read this one, and it's spent more time lent out to friends than sitting at home on my bookshelf.

Her characters are a treat. Her women are real: not glamorous, not perfect, not stereotyped, but portrayed like - *gasp!* - actual humans (a stunner in a graphic novel)! More wonderful than that, she has real male characters at the same time - there's no reverse-stereotyping going on, making for a full, well-rounded cast of characters that's remarkably true to life (no small feat in the fantasy genre). Issues like domestic abuse and loss are addressed, but not in obvious or preachy ways, and VERY positive male characters stand in direct contrast to the off-screen baddies that you never see in "The Lucky Road".

Her characters are just marvelous and memorable. I can't stress this enough. The book is sweet without being cloying, and just very, VERY clever.

I think it's appropriate for older children as well as wonderful for adults. This one goes on my holiday list for any moms with a sense of wonder, grownups who like fantasy and/or comix, and mature kids who like some substance to their stories. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Collection of a Great Comic
Review: I always enjoy this series whenever it comes to my local comic shop. It is an excellent fantasy story that has very memorable characters that are truly likable and you connect with quickly. The issues collected in this volume are just the beginning of what feels like an epic story. You will be right on your way to becoming hooked if you purchase this book since it collects the first eight issues of the series. And it establishes the setting well and leaves you wanting more when you get to the last chapter.... Linda Medley publishes "Castle Waiting" through her own company Olio, and every new issue that sells I'm sure will help her keep publishing.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Collection of a Great Comic
Review: I always enjoy this series whenever it comes to my local comic shop. It is an excellent fantasy story that has very memorable characters that are truly likable and you connect with quickly. The issues collected in this volume are just the beginning of what feels like an epic story. You will be right on your way to becoming hooked if you purchase this book since it collects the first eight issues of the series. And it establishes the setting well and leaves you wanting more when you get to the last chapter.... Linda Medley publishes "Castle Waiting" through her own company Olio, and every new issue that sells I'm sure will help her keep publishing.

Rating:
Summary: Impressive
Review: I have to admit, I was reluctant to read this graphic novel. A friend insisted I would like it, and so I trusted his judgement and took a look. I'm terribly glad I did.

The Lucky Road takes place in a fantasy/fairy tale setting - within the first few pages, we are introduced to a talking bear, the three little pigs, and an annual music competition in Bremen. But the problems, challenges, joys and triumphs of these characters are anything but typical fantasy or comic book fare. Linda Medley has created characters who are not muscle-bound superheros, but ordinary men and women (and talking animals) who want to fall in love, raise their children, look after their friends, and get through their lives. She doesn't shy away from topics like abuse and death, but her characters, and her story, are not about violence and pain - they are about survival, and getting on with one's life, and finding joy.

Rating:
Summary: Impressive
Review: I have to admit, I was reluctant to read this graphic novel. A friend insisted I would like it, and so I trusted his judgement and took a look. I'm terribly glad I did.

The Lucky Road takes place in a fantasy/fairy tale setting - within the first few pages, we are introduced to a talking bear, the three little pigs, and an annual music competition in Bremen. But the problems, challenges, joys and triumphs of these characters are anything but typical fantasy or comic book fare. Linda Medley has created characters who are not muscle-bound superheros, but ordinary men and women (and talking animals) who want to fall in love, raise their children, look after their friends, and get through their lives. She doesn't shy away from topics like abuse and death, but her characters, and her story, are not about violence and pain - they are about survival, and getting on with one's life, and finding joy.

Rating:
Summary: A sweet, but somewhat unsatisfying saga
Review: Linda Medley's, "Castle Waiting," is a sweet and gentle comic book series that manages to blend the genres of fantasy and fairy-tale quite effectively in entertaining fashion. In Volume #1, The Lucky Road, readers are introduced to the series' protagonist, Jain, as she looks to escape her past and start anew in a castle populated with whimsical characters both human and animal alike. While Medley's black and white art does little in the way of stylistic expression, it is perfectly suited to convey her simple and somewhat predictable storyline. On the whole, this series doesn't contain much 'wow' factor by way of story or art but nevertheless the charming characters and sugary storyline lends itself to an entertaining afternoons worth of reading.