Artesia Afield

Mark Smylie's Artesia Afield (2000–2001, Sirius Entertainment) is a six-issue fantasy epic that deepens the saga of its warrior-priestess protagonist, expanding the richly detailed world of the Known Kingdoms. Written and fully painted by Smylie in a lush, intricate style, the series follows Artesia as she navigates political intrigue, divine prophecy, and the brutal realities of war. A landmark of independent fantasy comics, it showcases Smylie's singular vision—blending mythic gravitas with a painterly, medieval aesthetic—and stands as a vital chapter in the larger Artesia cycle.