Mania
A lot of Korean manhwa titles struggle to be the next Rangarok.  The level of enthusiasm readers exude for Archlord by Jin-Hwan Park therefore depends on how much they care about monsters, orphans of curious parentage and mystical swords handed down from generation to generation, etc.

But while Archlord is a standard tale of sorcery and bad dudes, its straightforward themes make it a solid and fun read.  Like Ragnarok and its countless cousins, the roots of Archlord's story can be found in an online PC adventure game.  However, unlike many game-based manhwa, Jin-Hwan Park's story doesn't feel like a 150-page commercial trying to jam a title's unique RPG elements down the reader's throat.  Unlike the recent Recast, there's no mention of "Worlds," power levels or shifting weapons.  Archlord can simply be appreciated for a dyed-in-the-wool fantasy story.

Which, of course, means there are fantasy clichés galore.  Leon is a terrific knight of immeasurable power and magical ability, as well as the heir to the legendary and coveted Brumhart sword … yet he's oblivious to the fact his sullen-faced "best friend" is frequently making eyes at his wife and his weapon.  On a short trip to see a Wise Man about standard wise man affairs, Enran reveals himself to be a turncoat weasel and he successfully slays Leon, who only just manages to hide his baby son.  Zian is found and raised by a powerful hermit, and the story begins in earnest sixteen years later. Enran is scouring the world looking for the reason why Brumhart won't allow itself to be unsheathed and Zian is a Child of Destiny who has grown up into a cowardly goof-off under the tutelage of his "grandfather," Kenneth.

So if the summary is any indication, there should be no surprise the world is overrun by orcs (and at least one massive, soft-spoken half-orc), or that wyverns soar over towering mountains and attack anyone who invades the homeland of the gnome-like Noums, or that said invaders are led by the merciless Enran who has gone mad with power and desire.  There are also giant boars and mad deer (!) roaming mysterious forests brimming with strange power and a beautiful female magi who knows her way around a spellbook.    

Sound like fun?  Then you're exactly who the manhwa is tailored for. Archlord doesn't explore new territory, but it doesn't try to.  Jin-Hwan Park just wants to sit down with the reader and tell a classic story of Good versus Evil.  It might not be an epic work of imagination that'll live forever in the hearts of fantasy fans, but Archlord is spellbinding for at least an afternoon.

~ Nadia Oxford, Columnist www.mania.com