Artesia Online








Artesia Besieged Preview

Welcome to Artesia Online, the official web site for the fantasy comic book series Artesia, written and illustrated by Mark Smylie and published by Archaia Studios Press (ASP).

Artesia is the beginning of an epic fantasy story, The Book of Dooms, following one woman on a journey of war and magic. Artesia left her home in the Middle Kingdoms after her mother was burned at the stake as a witch, and she has found refuge in the Highlands of Daradja and remade herself as a concubine, a priestess, a warrior and war captain. She now walks a dangerous path surrounded by jealous overlords, enemy witch-hunters, invading armies, dread gods, the ghosts of the dead, and ancient evils out of myth and legend.

Information about the Artesia Role-Playing Game can be found at The Known World: www.theknownworld.com.

		*02.05.09 – Artesia* is “Essential”**
		In Gene Kannenberg’s recently published 500 Essential Graphic Novels (Collins Design/Harper Collins), Artesia made the list. Congratulations, Mark!

		04.04.08– Lewis & Smylie talk GNs & religion
		Calling all intelligentsia! Sunday, Apr 13, Dave Lewis (Some New Kind of Slaughter; The Lone and Level Sands) and Mark Smylie (Artesia) are appearing at Boston University on a panel as part of the "Graven Images: Religion in Comic Books & Graphic Novels" conference (Apr 11–13). Their appearance will be followed by a “Graphically Religious” presentation and signing at Boston U’s Kenmore Square Barnes & Noble. The conference covers a LOT, so read all about it here. And download the flyer here.

		*02.27.08 – Artesia Afire* is Top Graphic Novel of the Year**
		Jeff VanderMeer at BookSlut picked Artesia Afire as #6 in his Top Graphic Novels of the Year. “Exemplifying the best of intelligent heroic fantasy, the Artesia books feature a heroine who is intelligent, fierce, and passionate. This latest collection offers up an exceedingly high standard of storytelling, weaving together battle sequences, court intrigue, and the supernatural. I have to admit when I started reading the Artesia books I didn't know what to expect, but I was quickly drawn in to this topnotch series.”

		02.24.08 ORIGINAL ART SALE
		With work on ARTESIA BESIEGED #3 finally progressing in fits and starts and Spring Cleaning around the corner, Mark is looking to clear some space in his flat files. So from now until the end of March, the remaining original art pages from the first three ARTESIA series are available for the low price of $50 a page. Please contact Mark about the availability of specific pages.

		*01.24.08 Artesia Besieged* returns April 2008!**
		With the growth of Archaia Studios Press as a publishing house, the time for its author to devote to the Besieged series evaporated during much of 2007. But we are happy to announce that work has finally recommenced on the series, with previews of some of the first finished interior pages below. Artesia Besieged #3 is now expected to hit stores in April.

		*12.07.07 – Realms of Fantasy* reviews Artesia Afield and Artesia Afire**
		Jeff VanderMeer reviewed both of these ASP books in the widely read Realms of Fantasy and had nothing but good things to say. “’Epic’ doesn’t even begin to describe the nuances and complexities of the plots and alliances in this fresh take on a highly recommended heroic fantasy.” Read the full review.

		11.03.07 – Cerberus2 reviews Artesia RPG…in another language
		Dirk for Cerberus2 reviewed Artesia: Adventures in the Known World. It’s in another language, though, but it’s cool nonetheless. Go here then click the middle head and go to page 23 – 37. Yes, we said click the middle head—it’ll make sense when you see it…

		09.25.2007 – A couple of HUGE fans of Artesia: Adventures in the Known World run a terrific blog focusing on their AKW games.
		Check it out here.

		08.13.2007 – GenCon is here!
		*Mark Smylie and Archaia Studios Press will be at Booth #1727 showing off Artesia: Adventures in the Known World.* Plus, numerous demos will be run over the four-day gaming event: Thursday, 2pm: The Wall, at Regency E/F table 2 Friday, 10am: The Drowned Men, at Regency E/F table 6 Friday, 2pm: The Drowned Men, at Regency E/F table 4 Saturday, 6pm: The Wall, at Regency E/F table 1

		07.21.2007 – Another review on rpg.net
		Christopher Richeson gave his own review of Artesia: Adventures in the Known World over at rpg.net.

		06.01.2007 – ASP publisher Mark Smylie interviewed
		Frederik Hautain of Broken Frontier did a massive interview with Mark Smylie. The article is appropriately titled “Archaia to the Max.”