Discovering Meridian

I finally got to read the travel-sized trade paperback of Meridian from Crossgen comics. I bought the thing weeks and weeks ago, and I only now got an opportunity to actually look inside. Funny that it happened in a taxi in heavy traffic. Heh.
Anyway, the story of young Sephie in her world of treacherous uncles, floating islands and ships and powerful sigils bears many elements similar to another favorite of mine, Hayao Miyazaki's Nausicaa (flying craft, flying heroine, semi-midieval setting, political intrigue). The character of Sephie herself reminds me of my own character, Angel Ace, in that she is very innocent but daring, brave and capable, and possessed of awesome powers she doesn't fully understand. Ilahn on the other hand is a good villain, not entirely evil but very, very dangerous. I have to say that the rest of the cast is still of no consequence at this point, and I can only recall Jad, Sephie's boyfriend, among the multitude of Meridian rebels.
As for the art, it's quite rough and unspectacular at the start, though progressively getting better. I've seen later issues so I know the comic will indeed look awesome eventually. I find it kinda comforting that even these high-profile titles go through awkward growing pains. Heh.

Nice story. Should pick up succeeding trades when they appear. Should always have good fuel to power my own creative fires.