Even the smallest argument can escalate into the largest war.
Gamayun Tales: The King of Birds is one such story. A sparrow and a mouse quarrel over a golden apple, ultimately starting a war between all animals and birds. After a vicious battle lasting three days and three nights, the birds emerge victorious. The King Eagle, however, is seriously wounded and flies into a dense forest to recuperate. In his weakened state, he encounters a merchant and bargains for his life: “ Drop your bow…” the eagle cries, “Take me to your house, heal my wounds, and when my might is back, I will pay you in full!”
“…a cross between Aesop’s Fables and the Odyssey.”
The eagle wears a golden crown, so it’s not surprising the unnamed merchant might expect there is more wealth to be had. It takes three years before the King Eagle has recovered and the adventure begins. He carries the merchant across the sea and visits three realms. And at each stop, the eagle issues a mysterious order to the merchant…
Gamayun Tales: The King of Birds is perhaps best described as a cross between Aesop’s Fables and the Odyssey. It is a re-telling of Russian folklore, with a gamayun as the narrator. A large bird with a woman’s head, this creature is supposedly aware of everything and knows the fate of all. As such, she is perfect as the narrator of this tale.
“Alexander Utkin’s art alternates between colourful panels…and dark panels…the result is an intimate environment…”
Alexander Utkin’s art alternates between colourful panels that illustrate the story and dark panels that frame the gamayun’s narration. The result is an intimate environment, like listening to stories around a campfire or reading a book by flashlight under the covers.
The limited, but bright colour palette complements the story. The various animals and birds are immediately recognizable, and there is even a scene reminiscent of The Lion King.
“…quick-paced as expected in a fable; but it also contains the monsters and adventurous spirit expected of every mythological expedition…”
The story is very quick-paced as expected in a fable; but it also contains the monsters and adventurous spirit expected of every mythological expedition. Like a fable, it is also light on details. Character motivations and histories are not revealed, and the reasons behind many of the actions remain unlearned.
This is likely a result of the serialized structure of the work—which itself is a surprise. It isn’t until the cliffhanger end of The King of Birds that you discover there will be another volume coming out (and one more after that). Like the merchant’s gamble on the King Eagle, it may take three years before we find out if the whole story was worth the read.
Gamayun Tales: The King of Birds
Alexander Utkin (writer, artist)
Nobrow Ltd. (released 2018)
Gamayan Tales: The King of Birds
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