Rex Mundi, Book Two: The River Underground

by Arvid Nelson

Other authorsEric J.

Paper Book, 2006

Status

Available

Call number

741.5973

Publication

Milwaukie, OR : Dark Horse Books, [2006?]-<2007>

Description

The most influential clandestine society in the history of the world is uncovered, a powerful man is murdered, and a mysterious ally appears with a thousand-year-old message as Doctor Julien Sauni re continues his hunt for the Holy Grail! From a disgraced order of knights to the secrets of a neoclassic painter, Julien Sauni re follows a trail of conspiracy that extends all the way to the walls of Jerusalem during the first crusade. In a Europe where sorcerers stalk the streets and the Catholic Church reigns supreme, Julien pursues a truth that could change the world forever.

User reviews

LibraryThing member mschaefer

Rex Mundi describes an alternative reality in the early 1930s in which the Inquisition has prevailed in Europe. The protagonist is involved in mysterious happenings involving the Holy Grail. Easily more imaginative and clever than the Da Vinci Code.

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LibraryThing member popejephei

Oh, if you don't know, what I can I tell you? Grounded in one of the cleverest conceits of any comic series in recent memory (a world of the 1930s where the Reformation never happened and magic is real, made setting for a hunt for the holy grail) RM has been through more illustrators than I can

count, but is held together by a plot so intriguing you don't care that you already know where it's going and how it ends. Imagine The DaVinci Code or Holy Blood, Holy Grail redone as a graphic novel, and more imaginatively written and you're on the right track.

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LibraryThing member theforestofbooks

A fascinating and enjoyable read. Rex Mundi is an alternate history story with a murder mystery thrown in, together with a quest for the Holy Grail. Just a normal everyday plot! The story moves fast, dragging the main character, Doctor Sauniere, and the reader along with it. Considering the many

strands of the story, it’s well paced but intricate. Towards the end of the book, the story takes an interesting turn so it’s going to be intriguing to see where the story goes from here. I also enjoyed the additional material added to the end of each individual story. I found these more compelling then in the first trade. The artwork continues effortlessly much as in the trade #1

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LibraryThing member questbird

This was the first of the Rex Mundi books I had read and I was favourably impressed. Arvid Nelson creates a believable world where sorcery exists and the Catholic church still presides over the principalities and empires of Europe. The French, American and Russian revolutions never succeeded. It is

1933 and war between the European powers is imminent. Interspersed with the story are various Watchmen-style background newspaper articles. The story itself is a conspiracy about the Knights Templar and church secrets, somewhat like Holy Blood and the Holy Grail or the Da Vinci code.

The main protagonist is Doctor Julien Saunière, who diligently investigates the deepening mystery with the help of feisty Councilor Tournon and wise Rabbi Maiselles. The lovely Tournon is playing a dangerous game of double agent by sleeping with Lord Lorraine, a powerful French politician who seems inextricably linked to the conspiracy.

The writing can be a bit cerebral. Sometimes Saunière doesn't actually do too much but large chunks of the conspiracy are revealed anyway. The artwork by Eric J does a great job of rendering Paris, the scene of most of the action.

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