The world of Black Rose has a number of real analogues, such as The Bosphorus, Levant, and Greece. However, these inspirations are blended into a unique world with sensible geography and geology. This the first glimpse of what is a much larger world, to be revealed as the story progresses (or to those who have already purchased printed material).

Though his character has remained stoic and fairly mysterious for the duration of the issue, I deliberately masked Arion’s emotions in shadow for this closing shot. This isn’t the first time he’s seen this, and all he can do is march onward.

That bottom panel is one of my all-time favorites to date.