I spend a lot of time trying to convince people to read certain comics both online and off. If I think you’ll enjoy it, you’ll receive emails on it, calls about it and even get hit in the face with the trade if you’re in proximity. I’m successful in varying degrees (:coughQCcough:) but there are some comics onto whose bandwagon some folks still need to clamber.

One of these is Rice Boy, by Evan Dahm, which I’ve hyped consistently for a few years now, especially since it is complete and available both online for free and in a lovely trade for monies. However, I have neglected to pester about Dahm’s new opus, Order of Tales.

Tales began in July 2008, and updates in spurts of six-or-so pages each Sunday. Taking place in the same fantastical world where Rice Boy played out, Tales introduces a new age, wildly different species and civilizations, and even a familiar face. Thus far, his small band of characters have many secrets to uncover and dire destinies placed upon them, and the locales described in Tales are fabulous and strange in a way Dahm’s readers have come to love.

Interspersed with the intrigue and adventure are short calligraphed mythologies about the world, beautiful little interludes that enliven and vivify this fictive place. Our main protagonist is of an Order of storytellers, and hints of prophecy or doom are couched in mellifluous language or parchments throughout.

In detailed monochrome that is reminiscent of careful woodcuts, Dahm’s sure-to-be-sprawling epic has really ramped up in the past six weeks or so, goading me to urge everyone to grab a seat now and ride this rollercoaster.

If Rice Boy was his warm-up (and what a warm-up!) then Tales promises a most grand main course. Join the mystery and adventure at the link above, and grab yourself some kick-ass stickers at his store while you’re at it! You’ll be sorry you missed out when my gallumphingly huge trade paperback hits you in the face in a year or two…