Lone and Level Sands

Genre classic Author David Lewis Publisher Archaia Studio Press External Links Official Archaia Studio Press Website

The familiar story of Moses and his challenge against the Pharaoh in Egypt is recaptured again in stunning color and unique story telling. Told mostly from the point of view from the Pharaoh family, it offers some insight into who the Pharaoh might have been, a real man with a love for his family and a concern for the future of his kingdom. He is challenged by a new and unfamiliar deity brought to him by a long lost cousin. As Moses challenges the gods he grew up believing in, the only gods the Pharaoh ever knew, he dismisses Moses and denies him the request to let the slaves worship this new god.

As the Pharaoh is shown the power of the new god through plagues, he softens his heart and has more than once been open to the idea of letting the people go. Each time he thinks about letting the people go, he is visited by a spirit that possesses favored council members and even his own beloved, dying wife. The spirit speaks through those he trusts, telling him he should not let the people go. It isn't quite clear if this spirit is the intervention of the god brought by Moses. While this part of the story is left unclear, it completely captures the descriptions from the book of Exodus about the situation. While no one knows for sure, the writer did an excellent job of not assuming and not skipping the information completely. It was a very unique way of bringing out this part of the Bible story.

This graphic novel, the Lone and Level Sands, captures the entire story in beautiful artwork and a unique story perspective. Each scene makes it easy to follow along, with unique color and styles. As the story progresses, you can really feel the tension the Pharaoh is under. You have to admire someone who can still remain strong after such torture as his wife and children die, as his family and friends fall apart and his kingdom is all but destroyed.

If you are familiar with the Bible story, or if you have never heard this story before, it proves to be a very interesting graphic novel to read. Seeing this side of the story of Moses and the Pharaoh is something that is rarely done and is well portrayed in this story. Your heart will sympathize with the Egyptians as well as the slaves. The more human side of the Pharaoh is well established in the story telling. His family and friends obviously care about him.

My own personal favorite part were the scenes that reflected the Pharaoh's own human nature as he spends time with friends and family. He obviously cares about his own people. His strength is admirable. Even up to the end he proves to be a fascinating protagonist to follow.

Some of the wording and the plot twists jar the reader out of the story, but this is only a minor complaint. The artists proved to be careful enough so that it was easy to follow along. As some people may know, the Egyptians often shaved their heads and true to history, most of the male characters have such hairstyles. The artists did a wonderful job in helping to decipher who was who for the most part.

This full color, hardbound graphic novel, The Lone and Level Sands, is entertaining, unique and a good all around story from the writer's part. The finer points of this book are the unique point of view and the interesting style used by the artists. Some of the losses include the sometimes-shifting point of view without realizing it until a page and a half later. This is a novel worth buying for the beautiful art and an engaging story.