Title/Storyline: Excalibur Chronicles Volumes 1-5
Publish Date/Year: 2019
Creative Team
Story: Jean-Luc Istin
Art: Alain Brion
Publisher: Delcourt
This limited series explores the back story behind the legend of King Arthur and Excalibur, which makes it extremely interesting as most, if not all of the Arthur content we encounter (either in books, movies or comics) are about King Arthur as an adult. 
The legend of the ladies of Avalon including the Lady of the Lake, are all explored and are incorporated into the story.
In this limited series, Merlin is portrayed as a sorcerer, visionary and strategist. We also learn that Merlin is, in fact, Arthur’s grandfather while Morgan is Arthur’s half sister (thus she’s Merlin’s grand daughter).
Morgan, being from the lineage of Avalon, is endowed with special gifts that are on par or even surpassing Merlin’s powers. Britain was a fractured nation with many minor kings in their own often warring kingdoms. Vivian had foreseen that a future king, will be the one chosen by Excalibur to unite Britain. And that this king will be the son of a king and a lady of Avalon.
Merlin had a daughter with the high priestess of Avalon, Vivian. Their daughter, Igraine, is married to King Gorlois, a Roman Catholic convert, driven by Patricius, a Roman Catholic zealot, to eliminate all forms of pagan worship, including the women of Avalon, who are considered as witches. Thus, he tortures Igraine as she does not convert and is treated as a witch. Due to the way King Gorlois tortures her, she had turned to King Uthar for love and they gave birth to Arthur. King Uthar and Igraine were eventually killed by King Gorlois.
Patricius, the Roman Catholic zealot uses religion to manipulate converted Britons to achieve his own nefarious objectives and to seize political power. Patricius' forces, while on a mission to kill young Arthur, captured Morgan as Merlin couldn't protect both of them but chose to save Arthur instead, due to Merlin's belief that Arthur will be the king who will unite Britain.
Many characters including magical beings and giants are interwoven into the story in a web of relationships and political alliances to make it rival the Game of Thrones.
There are several main villains in the story including the above mentioned Roman Catholic Zealot Patricius, a demon in human form named Cernunnos, and ruthless young prince – Natre, who was eventually possessed by the demon Cernunnos.
The first 4 volumes build up to the finale in volume 5 where Merlin's allies face the forces of evil and rescue Morgan.
Artwork
The painted artwork is simply beautiful. It isn't in the same class as comics. It looks like pages pulled from Heavy Metal. As Jean-Luc Istin is an European artist, I have little knowledge of his work but will definitely like to see more of his beautiful work.
Additional Comments
This was such a great read for me. Maybe I'm biased as I'm really into the Magical Fantasy genre but I'm certain it'd be a delightful read for non-fantasy fans as well. Definitely recommended.
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