Review by Ian Keogh

Elixir occurs on Earth, but not as we know it. A long war between the opposite poles of magic and technology has been raging, with the druids wanting to keep the old ways alive in the face of increasing oppression from corporations that’s taken its toll. What, though, if there were an elixir that could at a stroke restore the supremacy of magic?

Frank J. Barbiere and Ricky Mammone create a standard fantasy stand-off, but by concentrating on people it has a resonance. The reader sympathies are aligned with magic, especially via the combination of Mara, daughter of a well regarded druid, and Loreli, who dares to break the rules, using technology if it suits her purposes. The action is provided by following a warrior named Chaos as he easily and brutally deals with the threats he faces.

It’s all brought to sparkling life by Victor Santos, channelling his best Frank Miller homages with Claude in action resembling Marv from Sin City, although a far more proactive figure. The contrast of black inked shade with white highlights and spot colour, never more than one to a page, creates an effectively gloomy, other-worldly mood. There’s a big change a third of the way through as the location switches from city to wilderness. By then Mara has linked with Claude who’s attempting to locate the elixir, although he’s the uncommunicative type and there are contrary reports regarding how he intends to use it.

Death intrudes and there are surprises, but none of them are greatly thrilling, surprising for their own sake instead of developing naturally. It leaves Elixir as standard fantasy narrative raised by Santos’ stylish art.