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Lady Sabre & the Pirates of the Ineffable Aether #1
Lady Sabre & the Pirates of the Ineffable Aether, Book I: The Map
This volume collects the first five chapters of the initial adventure of Her Ladyship, Captain Seneca Sabre, originally published as the webcomic Lady Sabre & The Pirates of the Ineffable Aether. Artist Rick Burchett has overseen correction and adjustment of these strips, presented here in their original format and orientation. Funded via Kickstarter campaign, this is a unique and limited printing, and includes additional material not available online: in-world content, maps, and a pin-up gallery with contributions from some of the biggest talents working in comics today.
Set in a steampunk alternate world called The Sphere, Lady Sabre & The Pirates of the Ineffable Ether draws inspiration from comic and film serials of the 1930s and 1940s. The influence of Milton Caniff, Hal Foster, and Alex Raymond are visible in both the storytelling and art. Dashes of the classic western and nautical adventures add further spice.
Lady Seneca Sabre, 14th Marchioness of Cascadiain the nation of Allyria, loyal subject to the Monarch Eternal, The Rose, is one part rogue, one part pirate, one part witch, and a little too conifdent in her abilities for her own good. She gleefully sails the ineffable Aether about her frigate Pegasus in search of adventure and glory. With her first mate Westfield Thane at her side, she forms a grudging alliance with the taciturn Marshal Miles Drake and his friend, the tracker Keyton Drum to aid in the pursuit of a mysterious map that foretells the fate of their world. Other forces seek this knowledge for their own end, amongst them, the mysterious criminal organization called "The Smoke," whose agent, Darius Payne, will stop at nothing to make the map his own.
Set in a steampunk alternate world called The Sphere, Lady Sabre & The Pirates of the Ineffable Ether draws inspiration from comic and film serials of the 1930s and 1940s. The influence of Milton Caniff, Hal Foster, and Alex Raymond are visible in both the storytelling and art. Dashes of the classic western and nautical adventures add further spice.
Lady Seneca Sabre, 14th Marchioness of Cascadiain the nation of Allyria, loyal subject to the Monarch Eternal, The Rose, is one part rogue, one part pirate, one part witch, and a little too conifdent in her abilities for her own good. She gleefully sails the ineffable Aether about her frigate Pegasus in search of adventure and glory. With her first mate Westfield Thane at her side, she forms a grudging alliance with the taciturn Marshal Miles Drake and his friend, the tracker Keyton Drum to aid in the pursuit of a mysterious map that foretells the fate of their world. Other forces seek this knowledge for their own end, amongst them, the mysterious criminal organization called "The Smoke," whose agent, Darius Payne, will stop at nothing to make the map his own.
177 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2011
About the author
Greg Rucka
1,377 books1,857 followersGreg Rucka, is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on such comics as Action Comics, Batwoman: Detective Comics, and the miniseries Superman: World of New Krypton for DC Comics, and for novels such as his Queen & Country series.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 7, 2017
The artwork is excellent. The story leaves a bit to be desired, too quickly unfolded, not enough time to develop the characters, and the plot was way too loose for me.
November 20, 2015
Lots of potential here. I didn't get invested in the plot until chapter five, when suddenly the Aether became incredible world building. However, the humor is so nonchalant and exceedingly well-timed that there were several spots where I had to stop reading for five minutes and laugh.
I honestly think this would be better served by prose format alone, as the story is clearly large enough to burst out of the narrow confines of the minimal panels here. The art is at least very clean and crisp.
Best-served, I think, with more chapters ready to be devoured.
I honestly think this would be better served by prose format alone, as the story is clearly large enough to burst out of the narrow confines of the minimal panels here. The art is at least very clean and crisp.
Best-served, I think, with more chapters ready to be devoured.
June 16, 2017
3 1/2 stars
December 30, 2019
Everything I want in a swashbuckling lady steampunk pirate comic.
June 10, 2023
Boy, do I wish there was more of this.
November 13, 2014
Few male comics writers do better writing women than Greg Rucka. His stock in trade has always been the whip-smart woman who defies lazy stereotypes. So it makes sense that he’d shine in a world of pirates, airships, swords, gunslingers, and clockwork. The Lady Sabre story is a great adventure, and I look forward to the next chapter. (I’m not reading it online, so I’ll wait until they release another volume or they announce that they aren’t going to.)
December 15, 2015
I'm a sucker for these "behind the scenes" kind of books. This is the "director's commentary" for the first volume of LADY SABRE, and offers the script, sketches and commentary on the first five chapters of the ongoing serial. It's more of a curiosity, although there are some cool additional bits of trivia along the way. Still, you're better off reading the real thing, and then using this book to enhance your enjoyment of the original.
October 11, 2014
Disclaimer: I have only read the online version of the comic, and so am unable to review any bonus material available in the printed edition.
You've just gotta love a steampunk western involving pirates and political intrigue. I was a bit put off at first by the somewhat corny title, but the engaging characters, complex plot, and layered worldbuilding soon put my mind at ease.
You've just gotta love a steampunk western involving pirates and political intrigue. I was a bit put off at first by the somewhat corny title, but the engaging characters, complex plot, and layered worldbuilding soon put my mind at ease.
December 30, 2014
Muy fluido el dibujo (y el coloreado lo levanta más aún), más o menos simpáticos personajes y una estética steam-pirat-futur-punk que me gustó desde la primera página.
Espero que "recopilen" pronto el segundo tomo, porque claramente estos cinco capítulos no son mucho más que una gran intro para algo que está por venir. Algo más interesante todavía, me animaría a arriesgar.
Espero que "recopilen" pronto el segundo tomo, porque claramente estos cinco capítulos no son mucho más que una gran intro para algo que está por venir. Algo más interesante todavía, me animaría a arriesgar.
December 15, 2015
Rucka and Burchett's LADY SABRE is a well-written and wonderfully drawn steampunk adventure that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy. The first volume really only gets through the exposition, introducing the characters, conflict, and establishing the world. But it's very well done, and I'm excited to see where the story goes.
December 31, 2014
I contributed to the Kickstarter for the deluxe book, because Greg Rucka. Lovely package (including paper dolls and creator notes!), nice story...but a little thin. Probably unavoidable given its webcomic roots. Will follow online from here.
August 26, 2016
A fun and interesting take on some common steampunk-fantasy tropes, and a refreshingly filmic approach to the comics medium. The story does not intrigue me that much, but the presentation definitely does. Recommended for steampunk fans or those plumbing the depths of sequential art.
October 9, 2014
Quick thoughts: This comic is a blast. Loving the characters and world building, and the blend of pirates, the old west and steampunk is fantastic. Looking forward to continuing along.
September 15, 2015
Absolutely gorgeous art with great dialogue, wonderful characters and an interesting story.
May 8, 2015
Read series by Rucka. Cowboys and pirates in the same story is the answer to all of lives adventures.
August 1, 2016
I don't think I've gotten enough yet to really pull me in, but I'm looking forward to getting more.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews