''Tellos'' is a
fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy ...
comic book series created by
Todd Dezago
Todd Dezago (born 1961) is an American comic book writer best known for his collaborations with artist Mike Wieringo on ''The Sensational Spider-Man'' and their creator-owned fantasy series '' Tellos''.
Early life
Todd Dezago was raised in Rhineb ...
and
Mike Wieringo
Michael Lance Wieringo (June 24, 1963 – August 12, 2007), who sometimes signed his work under the name Ringo, was an American comics artist best known for his work on DC Comics' ''The Flash'', Marvel Comics' ''Spider-Man'' and ''Fantastic Four'' ...
and published by
Image Comics
Image Comics is an American comic book publisher and is the third largest comic book and graphic novel publisher in the industry in both unit and market share. It was founded in 1992 by several high-profile illustrators as a venue for creator-ow ...
. Three issues at the end of the initial run were printed through
Gorilla Comics Gorilla Comics was a short-lived American comic book imprint (trade name), imprint launched in 2000 in comics, 2000 by creators Kurt Busiek, Tom Grummett, Stuart Immonen, Karl Kesel, Barry Kitson, George Pérez, Mark Waid, and Mike Wieringo. Charact ...
, which was co-founded by Wieringo. After that company folded, the book returned to Image as a series of one-shots. Wieringo died on August 12, 2007, leaving the future of the series in doubt.
Plot
The series features a young boy named Jarek and his anthropomorphic tiger companion Koj. They encounter the swashbuckling pirate Serra, a fox thief named Rikk, his companion in crime Hawke, Brad the dragon, Tom a turtlish-wizard, and many other mysterious entities. The heroes strive to unravel the mystery behind Jarek's origin and escape the attentions of a mad boy-wizard named Malesur who is seemingly bent on Jarek's destruction.
Jarek has a powerful genie at his control, who is limited to defending Jarek only. Jarek tends to throw himself between his friends and danger so the genie is forced into battle.
The series features shadow-hopping ninja frogs as enemy cannon fodder. In fact, many of the citizens of this realm are
anthropomorphic animals
Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities. It is considered to be an innate tendency of human psychology.
Personification is the related attribution of human form and characteristics t ...
, though there are many others who are full-human, such as Hawke and Serra.
About midway through, the series takes a break from Koj and Jarek to focus on Hawke and Rikk in an adventure in a levitating city which is held down by chains.
The heroes band together to stop Malesur, the boy-wizard, once and for all. During the latter part of the series, Jarek suffers a severe injury, requiring him to wear an eyepatch for some time.
Publication
The ongoing series was preceded with the publication of the "prologue," "prelude", and "preview" one-shots through Image and
Dynamic Forces
Dynamite Entertainment is an American comic book publisher founded by Nick Barrucci in 2004 at Mount Laurel, New Jersey. It is best known as the owners of '' The Boys'' franchise across several IP medias. Dynamite primarily publishes adaptations ...
. The original series lasted 10 issues from 1999 to 2000, starting at Image Comics and later moving to Gorilla Comics.
[Contino, Jennifer M.: ]
Tell Us About Tellos
', ''Sequential Tart vol. III/iss. 5'', May 2000
One-shots
Three oversized one-shots: ''Maiden Voyage,'' ''The Last Heist'', and ''Sons and Moons'', were released in 2001 through Image Comics. Each volume contained several stories written by Dezago and illustrated by various artists, some flashbacks and others taking place after the original series. The world and characters also appeared in an issue of ''
The 10th Muse'' set during the original series.
A 3-issue miniseries, ''Tales of Tellos,'' followed in 2004.
The Last Heist
This one shot focuses on the continuing misadventures of Rikk and how the events of the main series continue to have long-lasting repercussions. The main focus is a magic mirror. Mirrors are rare enough as it is, but this one can keep an image reflected for as long as the user desires. Brad the dragon and a messenger pixie attempt to help out any way they can. In the end, the mirror is sent to Serra, back on her ship and lacking her sea-legs, who uses it in closure of some long-standing emotional issues.
The secondary story, which has
Dava Hata on creative assistance, features Koj and Brad discussing the concept of 'destiny' and having their own adventures.
References
{{Reflist
Image Comics titles
Fantasy comics
1999 comics debuts