Monte Cook's Ptolus - City by the Spire 4 of 6

Issue 4
January 2007
Written by Monte Cook

Sheva Callister, a retired treasure hunter who’s come back for one last job, is painfully aware of this as she stumbles into the underground tomb of Narros, the Lich King, a powerful undead creature who does not appreciate her intrusion. But if she and her companions can escape, they’ll only be plunged into more excitement and deception as various nobles from the city above use her in a pawn in a strange game of their own. That is, of course, unless the legendary “Iron Mage” appears and lends her a hand…

This issue begins in the Necropolis where the enigmatic Lilith (introduced in issue 1) is shown conversing with one of her demons about the Hound who entered into Ptolus (during issue 2). She begins to wonder if Killraven is the Hounds prey. Back in the Crypt of Narros beneath Ptolus, Sheva, Brusselt and Daersidian are meeting Narros face-to-face. Despite Brusselts honest plea that they are just passing through, Narros turns his necomatic ways on them and summons four skeleton snakes. Narros tries to use spells against Daersidian, the elf battlemage, but he is able to counter his spells, much to Narros' suprise. Before he could try any further actions, Sheva cleaves one of the skeleton snakes onto him. Brusselt is hurt bad in the impact and Daersidian uses a spell to take them both to the surface while Sheva continues on.

Not soon after, Sheva meets the Iron Mage, the most powerful mage in the world. The Iron Mage is in the sewers tracking the Hound and knows nothing of the apparent meeting between Gattara Vladaam and Kevris Killraven. The Iron Mage suggest that the book Kevris may have could be the Book of Whispering Souls. He leaves before the conversation can go further and Sheva continues on to her destination. Making her way through the cellar, she infiltrates Killraven's meeting place and overhears her and Gattara talking about obtaining Sheva's hungersword. Sheva goes through the place and ultimately finds the Book. However, as she tries to leave, The Iron Mage shows up and demands she hand the book over in the final scene.

I was kind of interested to see that Canaan White's name wasn't in this issue, unlike previous ones. The artwork was instead handled by Luis Lara, but it was almost unnoticeable in the difference. In fact, it was way better than the second half of the previous issue that I didn't enjoy. I liked the action scene with Narros and thought the skeleton snakes were really cool looking. Also, the Iron Mage seems like a very cool character and I look forward to seeing what he has to deal with the Hound. I don't think he is threatening Sheva at the end, but securing the books since it holds incredible necromatic spells. I am still looking forward to the final two issues of this series.

Score: 4 / 5