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{{Short description|CrossGen comic book series}}
{{Multiple issues|plot=November 2007|fansite=December 2007}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Supercbbox| <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
{{more citations needed|date=January 2014}}
title=Sojourn
{{Prose|date=April 2023}}
|comic_color=background:#c0c0c0
}}
|image=Sojourn first issue cover.jpg
{{Infobox comic book title| <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
|imagesize=200
|caption=Cover to Sojourn #1
|title = Sojourn
|image = Sojourn first issue cover.jpg
|schedule=Monthly
|imagesize = 200
|format=[[Ongoing series]]
|caption = Cover to ''Sojourn'' #1
|publisher=Crossgen Comics inc
|schedule = Monthly
|date=August [[2001 in comics|2001]] – May [[2004 in comics|2004]]
|format = [[Ongoing series]]
|issues=35
|publisher = Crossgen Comics Inc.
|main_char_team=Arwyn, [[Gareth (Sojourn)|Gareth]], [[Kreeg]], [[Cassidy (Sojourn)|Cassidy]], [[Mordath]], [[Bohr (Sojourn)|Bohr]], [[Gustavus (Sojourn)|Gustavus]], [[Danik|Neven]], [[Altwaal|Ayden]], [[Shiara]]
|date = August [[2001 in comics|2001]] – May [[2004 in comics|2004]]
|past_current_color=
|issues = 35
|writers=[[Ron Marz]], [[Ian Edginton]]
|main_char_team = Arwyn, [[Gareth (comics)|Gareth]], Kreeg, Cassidy, [[Mordath]], Bohr, Gustavus, [[Danik|Neven]], [[Altwaal|Ayden]], [[Shiara]]
|artists=
|past_current_color =
|pencillers=[[Greg Land]]
|writers = [[Ron Marz]], [[Ian Edginton]]
|inkers=
|artists =
|colorists=
|pencillers = [[Greg Land]]
|creative_team_month=
|inkers =
|creative_team_year=
|colorists =
|creators=[[Mark Alessi]], [[Gina M. Villa]]
|creative_team_month =
|creative_team_year =
|creators = [[Mark Alessi]], Gina M. Villa
}}
}}


'''''Sojourn''''' was a [[CrossGen]] [[comic book]] [[ongoing series|series]] about the adventures of Arwyn and her friend [[Gareth (Sojourn)|Gareth]] as they traveled in a fantasy world with [[dragon]]s, [[troll]]s, and magic. Starting in [[2001 in comics|2001]], it ran for 35 issues (including a prequel) before it was forced to end by the [[bankruptcy]] of CrossGen in 2004. For a time, this series was Crossgen's highest grossing comic.
'''''Sojourn''''' is a [[fantasy]] [[comic book]] series published by American company [[CrossGen]]. The series follows the adventures of the archer Arwyn and her companions as they battle undead dictator Mordath. Unlike other CrossGen comics, ''Sojourn'' does not center on a [[Sigil-Bearers|Sigil-Bearer]], but instead depicts a villainous Sigil-Bearer whom the heroes are tasked with defeating. It ran for 35 issues from 2001 to 2004 until it was forced to end by the [[bankruptcy]] of CrossGen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2004/08/02/story5.html|publisher=Tampa Bay Business Journal|access-date= August 2, 2004|title=Bankruptcy filing uncovers comic book company's financial woes}}</ref> For a time, this series was Crossgen's highest grossing comic.


==Basic Plot==
==Premise==
The comic takes place in the world of [[Quin (Sigilverse)|Quin]], which comprises five lands inhabited by different races. The lands were ruled by the human dictator Mordath, who conquered Quin with an army of trolls, until he was killed in battle with the mysterious [[The First (comics)|Ayden]]. After Mordath's death, Ayden fragmented the arrow used to kill him into five shards for each land, pledging to return in a time of peril if the shards are united.
A woman named Arwyn, her dog Kreeg, and a one-eyed man named Gareth travel throughout the lands of the planet [[Quin (Sigilverse)|Quin]] looking for 5 shards of a magic arrow to defeat the evil dictator of the land, Mordath. Along the way they meet a thief named Cassidy who knows Gareth from the past. Near the end of the series a Snow Troll, or Iskani, named Gustavus, who could have possibly joined the group, was introduced.


Peril returns to Quin 300 years later when Mordath is resurrected, allowing him to again conquer the five lands with his troll army. When archer Arwyn loses her husband and daughter to Mordath's army, she goes on a quest to unite the five arrow shards in order to defeat the undead dictator. Among other allies, she is accompanied by one-eyed archer Gareth and the thief Cassidy in her travels through the five lands.
Most curiously, the hero of this series was not a [[Sigil-Bearers|Sigil-Bearer]]. Instead, the hero (Arwyn) is on a quest to kill the Sigil-Bearer (who is Mordath).


Due to the series' cancellation, the comic ends on an unresolved cliffhanger.
==Characters (In order of appearance)==
*[[Mordath]]
*Ayden (actually [[Altwaal (The First)|Altwaal]] in disguise).
*Arwyn
*[[Kreeg]]
*[[Gareth (Sojourn)|Gareth]]
*[[Bohr (Sojourn)|Bohr]]
*[[Danik|Neven]] (a fragment of Danik)
*[[Shiara]]
*Rahm
*Francis
*[[Cassidy (Sojourn)|Cassidy]]
*Marta
*Pallias
*Dodona
*Khiva
*[[Gustavus (Sojourn)|Gustavus]]


==Races of the Five Lands==
==Races of the Five Lands==
*'''Humans''' - Have a distinctly European look in Middelyn, and a Middle-Eastern look in Oudubai. Distinct Medieval and Arab cultures depending on area. Most concentrated in Middelyn, and Oudubai.
* '''Humans''' – Have a distinctly European look in Middelyn, and a Middle-Eastern look in Oudubai. Distinct Medieval and Arab cultures depend on area and are most concentrated in Middelyn and Oudubai.
*'''Trolls''' - Most have greenish skin, glowing green eyes and some form of horns sprouting from their foreheads. Long lived. Barbarian-like culture. Most concentrated in Grinbor.
* '''Trolls''' – Most have greenish skin, glowing green eyes and some form of horns sprouting from their foreheads. Long lived, with barbarian-like culture and are most concentrated in Grinbor.
*'''Ankharans''' - Distinct African look but with bird-like wings. Egyptian-like culture.
* '''Ankharans''' – Distinct African look but with bird-like wings, with Egyptian-like culture.
*'''Iskani or Snow Trolls''' - Relatives of the Trolls. Long Lived. Nordic-like Culture. Most concentrated in Skarnhime. Have some form of tusks sprouting from their chins.
* '''Iskani or Snow Trolls''' – Relatives of the Trolls, long Lived, with nordic-like culture and are most concentrated in Skarnhime. They have some form of tusks sprouting from their chins.
*'''Urnethi''' - Underground dwellers. Insect-like. Most concentrated in Oudubai.
* '''Urnethi''' – Underground dwellers, insect-like and are most concentrated in Oudubai.
*'''Dragons''' - Most concentrated in Middelyn and Islands in the oceans of Quin.
* '''Dragons''' – Most concentrated in Middelyn and Islands in the oceans of Quin.
*'''Carvers of the Glade''' - Small green creatures. Most concentrated in the Glade of Heroes.
* '''Carvers of the Glade''' – Small green creatures, they are most concentrated in the Glade of Heroes.

==Issues==
*'''Note-''' Gareth is the Narrator for issues 1-17. After issue 17 there is no narrator.

*'''Prequel-''' This issue is a flashback showing when Mordath's Castle was attacked by armies from all around the world of Quin. They are led by an archer named Ayden, who has the appearance of an old man. His armies are able to defeat Mordath's Trolls. Mordath is killed by one of Ayden's arrows. Ayden breaks the arrow into five pieces and gives one to each of the five races. Hundreds of years later, two figures go to Mordath's tomb. One puts its glowing orange hand on the corpse's head, igniting a spark in Mordath's eye.

A few blue elf-like creatures fight in this issue with Ayden's army; they were probably Ron Marz's version of the inhabitants of Skarnhime and are seen in the series only once more.

*'''Issue 1-''' In this issue we meet Arwyn, Kreeg, and the resurrected Mordath. Arwyn saves a young girl from Trolls, finds her husband and daughter dead in their home, and kills the Trolls responsible. As her town of Gerrindor burns, she swears revenge on Mordath. Mordath is informed that Gerrindor is destroyed and that he finally holds control of the lands he has wished to rule for 300 years.

*'''Issue 2-''' Arwyn is dreaming about her husband and daughter being killed by the Trolls when this issue opens. She awakes and we see that she is near Mordath's castle. Meanwhile, Mordath kills an Ankharan named Hanun by using his own left hand, which is a dark red, to set the prisoner on fire and throw him out of a large window. During their conversation we learn that Mordath can enjoy no pleasures, and that he has a large hole in his chest and stomach. Outside, Arwyn sees the flaming corpse soar through the air. She tells Kreeg to stay and leave her to her own fate but he continues along with her. With he bow, she kills a Troll, and uses his cloak and horse to trick two guards. She kills them and makes her way into the castle with Kreeg. When she gets behind Mordath, she shoots an arrow at him, but he senses it and merely sets it aflame. Troll guards attack and overpower her. Far away, a tattooed hand takes Ayden's bow off a shelf.

*'''Issue 3-''' Arwyn awakes in a dungeon full of skeletons and rats. A living one-eyed man is next to her. He says his name is Gareth and points out Kreeg, who is still alive, muzzled in a corner. Just then, Mordath comes down into the dungeon.

*'''Issue 14-''' The history of Ankhara is given. Arwyn, Garteh and Kreeg are outside the Ankharan walls and the main entrance to the area is well-guarded. Once night falls, they sneak past the guards to a secret entrance that leads to the tunnels in the Ankharan cliffs. The tunnels are full of writing and statues that mirror the Egyptian style. Arwyn discovers the tunnels also serve as catacombs and are full of tombs and mummified dead. Gareth is able to find a passage into the city. The three find themselves in the troll governor's personal harem. Suddenly, guards enter to take away three of the Ankharan females. Gareth and Kreeg hide, but Arwyn is spotted by a guard and she attacks him when he tries to take her away. Gareth quickly attacks another of the guards while the third is killed by one of the Ankharan women. After the short battle, a large Ankharan male grabs Gareth by the throat and asks Gareth why he shouldn't him.

*'''Issue 15-''' Bohr reaches Akhara and enters, believing that Gareth and Arwyn may be inside. Meanwhile, Arwyn gets the large Ankharan to release Gareth by hitting a pot over his head. It is revealed that the Ankharan women in the harem were going to try and assassinate the new governor of Ankhara. Arwyn tells the group, who turn out to be the Ankharan resistance, of her quest to gather the fragments of Ayden's arrow. The male Ankharan, whose name is Rahm, tells Arwyn that the fragment of Ankhara has been lost for generations. The group is led away from the harem. Governor Koht is informed of the missing women at the harem as Bohr enters and tells him of the current situation involving Arwyn's quest to defeat Mordath. Rahm leads Arwyn and Gareth to a temple serving as the home for the resistance in Ankhara. He tells our heroes of the fight between Mordath's troops and the Ankharan army. He also reveals that he is the Dawn Warrior of his generation. The Dawn Warrior is charged with leading in times of war and is trusted to wield the Dawn Sword, an ancient blade that glows like a flame when exposed to the sun. However, it has been lost. He asks Gareth and Arwyn to help the Ankharan cause. Arwyn is reminded of those she has lost and is told by Gareth that he will follow any decision she makes. She goes to Rahm and tells him that she accepts his offer. In his narration, Gareth reveals that he didn't know at the time that his decision to follow Arwyn would get him executed.

*'''Issue 16-''' Gareth fantasizes about Arwyn in his dreams and awakes to her telling him that Rahm is gathering everyone.


==Collections==
==Collections==
Sojourn had 4 trade paperbacks (TPBs) released by [[Crossgen]] before their bankruptcy, with 2 more released later by [[Checker Book Publishing Group|Checker Books]].
''Sojourn'' had 4 trade paperbacks (TPBs) released by [[Crossgen]] before their bankruptcy, with 2 more released later by Checker Books:
* '''TPB #1''' "From The Ashes" – issues #0–6
* '''TPB #2''' "The Dragon's Tale" – issues #7–12
* '''TPB #3''' "The Warrior's Tale" – issues #13–18
* '''TPB #4''' "The Thief's Tale" – issues #19–24
* '''TPB #5''' "The Sorcerer's Tale" – issues #25–30 ({{ISBN|1-933160-44-6}}) released by Checker Books in February 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.checkerbpg.com/docs/sojourn4_gn.html |access-date=May 9, 2007 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303070828/http://www.checkerbpg.com/docs/sojourn4_gn.html |archive-date=March 3, 2007|title=Sojourn - A Sorcerer's Tale - CheckerBPG}}</ref>
* '''TPB #6''' "The Berserker's Tale" – issues #31–34 released by Checker Books in October 2007.


There was also one collected edition not included above because it was merely a reprint of the prequel and issue #1 put into one comic.
*'''TPB #1''' "From The Ashes" - Collects issues #0-6
*'''TPB #2''' "The Dragon's Tale" - Collects issues #7-12
*'''TPB #3''' "The Warrior's Tale" - Collects issues #13-18
*'''TPB #4''' "The Thief's Tale" - Collects issues #19-24
*'''TPB #5''' "The Sorcerer's Tale" - Collects issues #25-30 (ISBN 1-933160-44-6) released by [[Checker Book Publishing Group|Checker Books]] in February 2007 <ref>http://www.checkerbpg.com/docs/sojourn4_gn.html</ref>
*'''TPB #6''' "The Berserker's Tale" - Collects issues #31-34 released by [[Checker Book Publishing Group|Checker Books]] in October 2007

There was also one collected edition not included above because it was merely a reprint of the Prequel and issue 1 put into one comic.


==Creators==
==Creators==
*[[Ron Marz]]- The Writer for the Prequel issue and issues 1 through 24.
* [[Ron Marz]] - writer for the prequel issue and issues #1 through #24.
*[[Greg Land]]- The Penciler for the Prequel issue and most of the issues between 1 and 33.
* [[Greg Land]] - the penciler for the prequel issue and most of the issues between #1 and #33.
*[[Ian Edginton]]- The Writer for issues 25 through 34.
* [[Ian Edginton]] - writer for issues #25 through #34.
*[[Sergio Cariello]]- The Penciler who took over for Greg Land starting in issue 34, the issue that became the final one.
* [[Sergio Cariello]] - the penciler who took over for Greg Land starting in issue #34, the issue that became the final one.
*[[Chuck Dixon]]- The co-writer for issue 34, he was responsible for writing the cliffhanger ending.
* [[Chuck Dixon]] - co-writer for issue #34, he was responsible for writing the cliffhanger ending.
*[[Stuart Immonen]]- Guest Penciler for issue 7.
* [[Stuart Immonen]] - guest penciler for issue #7.
*[[June Brigman]]- Guest Penciler for issue 12.
* [[June Brigman]] - guest penciler for issue #12.
*[[Aaron Lopresti]]- Guest Penciler for issue 17.
* [[Aaron Lopresti]] - guest penciler for issue #17.
*Luke Ross- Guest Penciler for issue 21. He would team up with Ron Marz again for the Darkhorse Comic ''[[Samurai: Heaven and Earth]]''.
* Luke Ross - guest penciler for issue #21. He would team up with Ron Marz again for the Dark Horse comic ''[[Samurai: Heaven and Earth]]''.
*[[Lewis LaRosa]]- Guest Penciler for pages 1–9, and 21-22 of issue 26.
* Lewis LaRosa - guest penciler for pages 1–9, and 21–22 of issue #26.
*[[Tom Derenick]]- Guest Penciler for pages 10–20 of issue 26.
* Tom Derenick - guest penciler for pages 10–20 of issue #26.
*[[Cliff Richards]]- Guest Penciler for issue 30.
* Cliff Richards - guest penciler for issue #30.
*[[Greg Land]] did covers for all issues penciled by himself. The other covers were done by their respective pencilers except for issues 30 and 34 which were done by Land.
* [[Greg Land]] did covers for all issues penciled by himself. The other covers were done by their respective pencilers except for issues #30 and #34 which were done by Land.

==Goofs==
{{Trivia|date=November 2009}}
*It is said, near the end of the series, that the moon of Quin crashed to the ground long ago, but when Shiara attacks Mordath's castle, a moon can clearly be seen.
*The residents of Skarnhime are extremely physically different in the first few issues of Sojourn than they are in issues 31-34.
*The word "sojourn" actually means "a temporary stay," and has nothing to do with journeying.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0212/06/crossgenfirsts.htm ''Sojourn'' - issue 18 page samples]
* [http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0212/06/crossgenfirsts.htm ''Sojourn'' – issue #18 page samples]
*[http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/news/105001710520316.htm ''Sojourn'' - issue 22 page samples]
* [http://www.sojournfansite.wordpress.com ''Sojourn'' fan site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050824015122/http://pc59te.dte.uma.es/cdb/series/crossgen/sojourn.htm Brief histories of Arwyn, Gareth and Mordath]
*[http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/news/105287000693283.htm ''Sojourn'' - issue 23 page samples]
*[http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/news/106073900260151.htm ''Sojourn'' - issue 25 page samples]
*[http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/news/106365833234851.htm ''Sojourn'' - issue 27 page samples]
*[http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/news/106625913977773.htm ''Sojourn'' - issue 28 page samples]
*[http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/news/106909876919167.htm ''Sojourn'' - issue 29 page samples]
*[http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0402/24/sojourn35.htm ''Sojourn'' 35 cover, never published]
*[http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/news/107722096522123.htm ''Sojourn'' 35 (brief preview)]
*[http://webspace.webring.com/people/ms/sojourn_fan/ large ''Sojourn'' fan site]
*[http://pc59te.dte.uma.es/cdb/series/crossgen/sojourn.htm ‘brief histories’ of Arwyn, Gareth and Mordath]
*[http://www.coreyblake.com/cgww/characters/sojourn/arwyn.html ''Sojourn'' character information and issues 1-12 synopsis]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Sojourn (Comic Book Series)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sojourn (Comic Book Series)}}
[[Category:2001 comic debuts]]
[[Category:2001 comics debuts]]
[[Category:CrossGen titles]]
[[Category:CrossGen titles]]
[[Category:Fantasy comics]]
[[Category:Fantasy comics]]

[[fr:Sojourn]]

Latest revision as of 02:51, 22 December 2024

Sojourn
Cover to Sojourn #1
Publication information
PublisherCrossgen Comics Inc.
ScheduleMonthly
FormatOngoing series
Publication dateAugust 2001 – May 2004
No. of issues35
Main character(s)Arwyn, Gareth, Kreeg, Cassidy, Mordath, Bohr, Gustavus, Neven, Ayden, Shiara
Creative team
Created byMark Alessi, Gina M. Villa
Written byRon Marz, Ian Edginton
Penciller(s)Greg Land

Sojourn is a fantasy comic book series published by American company CrossGen. The series follows the adventures of the archer Arwyn and her companions as they battle undead dictator Mordath. Unlike other CrossGen comics, Sojourn does not center on a Sigil-Bearer, but instead depicts a villainous Sigil-Bearer whom the heroes are tasked with defeating. It ran for 35 issues from 2001 to 2004 until it was forced to end by the bankruptcy of CrossGen.[1] For a time, this series was Crossgen's highest grossing comic.

Premise

[edit]

The comic takes place in the world of Quin, which comprises five lands inhabited by different races. The lands were ruled by the human dictator Mordath, who conquered Quin with an army of trolls, until he was killed in battle with the mysterious Ayden. After Mordath's death, Ayden fragmented the arrow used to kill him into five shards for each land, pledging to return in a time of peril if the shards are united.

Peril returns to Quin 300 years later when Mordath is resurrected, allowing him to again conquer the five lands with his troll army. When archer Arwyn loses her husband and daughter to Mordath's army, she goes on a quest to unite the five arrow shards in order to defeat the undead dictator. Among other allies, she is accompanied by one-eyed archer Gareth and the thief Cassidy in her travels through the five lands.

Due to the series' cancellation, the comic ends on an unresolved cliffhanger.

Races of the Five Lands

[edit]
  • Humans – Have a distinctly European look in Middelyn, and a Middle-Eastern look in Oudubai. Distinct Medieval and Arab cultures depend on area and are most concentrated in Middelyn and Oudubai.
  • Trolls – Most have greenish skin, glowing green eyes and some form of horns sprouting from their foreheads. Long lived, with barbarian-like culture and are most concentrated in Grinbor.
  • Ankharans – Distinct African look but with bird-like wings, with Egyptian-like culture.
  • Iskani or Snow Trolls – Relatives of the Trolls, long Lived, with nordic-like culture and are most concentrated in Skarnhime. They have some form of tusks sprouting from their chins.
  • Urnethi – Underground dwellers, insect-like and are most concentrated in Oudubai.
  • Dragons – Most concentrated in Middelyn and Islands in the oceans of Quin.
  • Carvers of the Glade – Small green creatures, they are most concentrated in the Glade of Heroes.

Collections

[edit]

Sojourn had 4 trade paperbacks (TPBs) released by Crossgen before their bankruptcy, with 2 more released later by Checker Books:

  • TPB #1 "From The Ashes" – issues #0–6
  • TPB #2 "The Dragon's Tale" – issues #7–12
  • TPB #3 "The Warrior's Tale" – issues #13–18
  • TPB #4 "The Thief's Tale" – issues #19–24
  • TPB #5 "The Sorcerer's Tale" – issues #25–30 (ISBN 1-933160-44-6) released by Checker Books in February 2007[2]
  • TPB #6 "The Berserker's Tale" – issues #31–34 released by Checker Books in October 2007.

There was also one collected edition not included above because it was merely a reprint of the prequel and issue #1 put into one comic.

Creators

[edit]
  • Ron Marz - writer for the prequel issue and issues #1 through #24.
  • Greg Land - the penciler for the prequel issue and most of the issues between #1 and #33.
  • Ian Edginton - writer for issues #25 through #34.
  • Sergio Cariello - the penciler who took over for Greg Land starting in issue #34, the issue that became the final one.
  • Chuck Dixon - co-writer for issue #34, he was responsible for writing the cliffhanger ending.
  • Stuart Immonen - guest penciler for issue #7.
  • June Brigman - guest penciler for issue #12.
  • Aaron Lopresti - guest penciler for issue #17.
  • Luke Ross - guest penciler for issue #21. He would team up with Ron Marz again for the Dark Horse comic Samurai: Heaven and Earth.
  • Lewis LaRosa - guest penciler for pages 1–9, and 21–22 of issue #26.
  • Tom Derenick - guest penciler for pages 10–20 of issue #26.
  • Cliff Richards - guest penciler for issue #30.
  • Greg Land did covers for all issues penciled by himself. The other covers were done by their respective pencilers except for issues #30 and #34 which were done by Land.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Bankruptcy filing uncovers comic book company's financial woes". Tampa Bay Business Journal. Retrieved August 2, 2004.
  2. ^ "Sojourn - A Sorcerer's Tale - CheckerBPG". Archived from the original on March 3, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2007.
[edit]
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