Kingdom of the Winds

This epic tale of a troubled royal family is based on the history and mythology surrounding the ancient Korean kingdom of Goguryeo, which spanned the Korean peninsula and beyond in the first century B.C. It’s the story of King Yuri, a morose and dyspeptic monarch so oppressively dissatisfied with his own children that he forces his oldest son to commit suicide. One night the youngest son, Prince Yeojin, vanishes. His brother, Prince Muhyul, tracks him to the river and finds Yeojin was lured there by an unholy alliance of evil spirits in league with King Daeso of Buyeo, a rival state out to conquer Goguryeo. Confronted by Sagu, an evil spirit-servant to King Daeso, Muhyul also learns of a horrible curse looming over his entire family. Returning to the palace, Muhyul and his sister, Princess Seryu, must battle otherworldly demons and an enemy army, as well as endure the terrible rages of their own irascible father. Kimjin tells a lively (although sometimes confusing) and compelling tale of kings, ghosts and epic battles. While his art can be awkwardly rendered, it’s still dynamic and effectively depicts a classic saga full of drama and magic as well as the affectionate humor between Muhyul and his sister. (Mar.)