The world of comics is not just Marvel, DC, Titan and Darkhorse. Plenty of independent publishers are releasing grounded and powerful stories that house amazing settings and relatable characters. Enter independent publisher, A Wave Blue World, releasing the latest issue of Mezo: Battle of Coban Rock. 

Mezo: Battle of Coban Rock from A Wave Blue World

This issue is the fifth installment of the current series, but it is the kind of story that you can dive right into. A downside to major publishers that have had long running characters and stories is the need for context. There is simply too much history to really know or catch up on. So, having smaller publishers like A Wave Blue World release stories that don’t require a decade of knowledge is refreshing. 

Mezo is set in a Meso-American fantasy world that takes inspiration from the military aspects of Game of Thrones. With a classic, fighting for the little guy motivation, this story is easy to connect with. The story takes influence from not only Mesopotamia, but also other native tribes. It adds a fantasy element that allows the story more freedom. By keeping the themes grounded, audiences are able to relate quickly and associate the story with stories they already know. 

Val Rodriques, the artist, was very succinct but clear with what he believes is brought out in the story. He said, “MEZO: BATTLE AT COBAN ROCK #5 is an epic story about fighting for beliefs, lost friends, and new bonds.”

The writer, Tyler Chin-Tanner, gave us a little more insight into how he views his story.

“As the battle nears its end, we see the devastating consequences for both sides. Kyma’s desire for revenge sabotaged her own strategy, causing her mother, Mz’ira, to pay the ultimate price. Meanwhile, Roden attempts to stop Phegor from hunting down the fleeing tribes, ordering him to show compassion for his enemies. It does not go well. And we’ll see the knock-on effects for both characters in the upcoming Mezo Volume 3: The Trial of Roden.”

If you are looking for a new story to dive into or are interested in exploring the titles of independent publishers, then be on the lookout for A Wave Blue World’s newest Mezo story.

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