Work on Preview Begins! (Plus Character Profile: Odoacer)

Possible cover.

Odoacer as rendered by G. Caracuzzo.

He has better hair in our version: Coin of Odoacer c. A.D. 477

Although, to be fair, his successor had pretty crap hair, too. Coin of Theoderic

The work on the preview volume Ex Libris Amiculi has begun! Over the next several weeks, I will be posting updates in the form of pencil, line and color art from this book. By March 2014, we should have a completed 20-page issue, hot off the press!


Now for our regularly-scheduled programming: 


Odoacer, or Odovacar, was commander of the Germanic foederati (allied foreign) troops in Italy at the time of Orestes and Romulus's usurpation of the purple. Odoacer's rise to kingship was supposedly foretold by a Christian saint, Severinus, who told the poor young soldier, "Go to Italy, go, now covered with mean hides; soon you will make rich gifts to many."


Having all the assets Orestes had, along with significantly better judgment and people skills, Odoacer made short work of his former master, the Emperor, and the remnants of western civilization, setting himself up as Rex Italiae, the first King of Italy.


However, Odoacer gets mixed reviews as a king. He killed a Roman count to solidify his base, enacted few administrative or social changes, and showered gifts on his followers. He expanded his kingdom by invading modern-day Austria and Croatia.


His troubles began when he conspired with a Byzantine usurper and attacked Eastern Roman territory in support of his coup. The Byzantine emperor Zeno responded by unleashing the Gothic king Theoderic the Great on him, who invaded Italy, trounced Odoacer in battle after battle and forced him to surrender Italy to him. According to historians, Theoderic later personally hacked Odoacer to death at a banquet. 


Fascinating how history keeps repeating itself during this period, eh?