Monte Cook's Ptolus - City by the Spire 2 of 6

Issue 2
Written by Monte Cook

Sheva Callister knows she’s on a wild goose chase - but she’s in too deep now, and her ghostly partner is destroyed in a surprising skirmish. With the help of a couple of hired swords, Sheva continues her journeys through Ptolus, the city by the spire, hoping to uncover who - or what - is behind her trouble. But danger lurks at the end of this chapter, and Sheva may not live to see the end of the story!

The issue begins with a flashback of three years ago, showing Sheva and Pallen taking on the dragon to get the Crown of Ki-Lias. The flashback ends after Pallen is incinerated. Back in the present, Sheva is still facing off against Godfred Vladaam as Allister Vladaam, his brother, looks on. They are demanding her hungersword, which Sheva had revealed in the first issue that it was something their father, Itistrul, wanted. Using an old magical device, she is able to escape through the window only to be surrounded by werewolves such as those she encountered on the way in. She explains what she had done to their companions and that they should know she has a hungersword. They back off as she gets away. Elsewhere, a hellhound enters the city, most likely in search of Sheva.

The following day, Sheva begins to investigate who might be behind the trap at House Vladaam. She believes Lord Dorant of Khatru believed the Brooch of Khatru really was there, but to play safe, she tries to get answers from Norvan, a waiter/butler of House Khatru. He tells her that the information on the Brooch came from Havander, a mage working for the Sorn, a mercenary sorcerer group. Deciding she needs back up, Sheva calls upon old friends Daersidian Ringsire and Brusselt Airmol who agree without any questions. Another one page flashback shows Sheva conferring with a Gaen priest about bringing Pallen back, but since he was holding the Crown when incinerated, he is stuck between worlds. She then vows to get a necromancers help.

The three go to find the sorcerer, but encounter the Shuul guarding the place. The Shuul are an organization bent on bringing science and technology back to the forefront of the world. After invisibly scouting the building, Brusselt says there are many Shuul and some mages inside. The three agree that the direct approach would be best. Another quick flashback before the battle shows Pallen and Sheva talking for the first time thanks to ghostweed. He is grateful for her being his friend and doing this. Sheva confronts Havander after a bloody entrance to his hideout and questions him where he got his information. It turns out it came from Kevis Killraven, one of two major players in the criminal underworld of Ptolus. With their guard down, they didn't realize that additional Shuul were in the complex. They come bursting through the door, guns blazing, and gun down Sheva. The issue ends with a panel of her shot to hell looking dead.

Wow, I am glad that I went out of my way to find this second issue. As with the first, the art is amazing and really adds a lot of atmosphere to the comic. Monte Cooks world just gets more and more complex. Certainly, technology in medieval settings isn't something new, it was fun to see the Shuul look kind of Matrix-y. I also like the added friends of the elf and halfling. They are very neutral characters, enjoying killing but not being evil about it. I am getting a suspicion that Pallen has had a hand in what is happening. This may be payback for what Sheva had done by not helping him. I am very pleased with this comic and where it is headed.

Score: 4 / 5