Artesia Afield

In the mid-2000s, Mark Smylie launched Artesia Afield at Archaia Studios Press, expanding the epic fantasy world of his painted graphic novel Artesia. This single-issue comic follows the warrior-priestess Artesia as she navigates political intrigue and battlefield strategy in a meticulously detailed, mythic setting. Smylie’s lush, full-color artwork and dense worldbuilding—complete with maps, glossaries, and invented cultures—set a high bar for creator-owned fantasy comics, making this a landmark for Archaia’s early catalog.