Green Monk: Blood of the Martyrs

As an infant and toddler, Alexey brought joy and amusement to the Brotherhood of the Cross, members of which rescued him and his dying mother from a brutal Russian winter. As he enters his teen years, though, he grows more prone to violent behavior, which the declining monastic order forbids. Yet his willingness to fight saves the brotherhood when raiders attack, creating a moral quandary that only Alexey can resolve. In an art style that feels reminiscent of Jeff Lemire, Dayton delivers a steady and energetic origin story for this series opener that shows much without having to say much—minimalist dialogue and absent exposition allows him to focus on story and evocative details. Interspersed with the plot, Dayton shows Alexey’s symbol-laden and psychedelic dreams, which reveal his destiny and fears and serve artistically as a colorful counterbalance to the drab greens, browns, and grays of the Russian countryside. These scenes also balance the more deliberate development of Alexey’s character as he grows up and learns the lessons of the order. While setting readers up for the next volume, Dayton’s work reminds readers how powerful visual storytelling can be. Ages 13–up. [em](Sept.) [/em]