Comic Book Review: Sword Princess Amaltea #1 by Natalia Batista
Princess Amaltea of the Queendom of the Green Highlands has always been overshadowed by her elder sister, Princess Dorotea. Since their society practices primogeniture through the female line, Dorotea is the heir to Queen Galatea. If Amaltea wants a queendom, she must find a prince to rescue and marry so she can inherit his mother’s lands. Amaltea thinks the whole process is bogus, but hey, a chance to get out and see the world on her own!
Amaltea ditches her royal escort, but still somehow manages to be guided to a prince in distress within a chapter. One dragon fight and awakening kiss later, we’re introduced to Prince Ossian of the Grey Mountains. He’s handsome enough, but no more thrilled with the courtship customs of their culture than Amaltea is, and let’s face it, she’s kind of a jerk.
Now they must begin the long journey to the Queendom of the Grey Mountains, facing perils both mundane (bandits) and magical. Will they ever learn to get along, let alone agree to marriage?
This fantasy comic was a part of Tokyopop’s “International Women of Manga” line, featuring mangaesque art from creators around the world and packaged in volumes similar to their manga adaptations. I understand that the license has been rescued and you can now get the series independently.
The setting is “generic European fantasy” except that certain gender roles have been reversed. Women are rulers, witches, warriors and criminals, while men are caregivers, servants, political tokens and seducers. This is said to have come about because only women can use magic, but it’s notable that the only woman who uses magic during this first volume is a “witch” who does not appear to be a part of any of the royal families. Certainly there are points at which Amaltea’s job would be easier if she knew any spells!
To be honest, it appears that Princess Amaltea’s education has been somewhat spotty. She has little to no knowledge of how society outside the court works, and it’s revealed that there’s a particular quirk of the succession laws Amaltea was deliberately never told about. Amaltea’s rather bratty, and it’s obvious that part of her character arc will be learning to be a better person.
The world building in this first volume is kind of enh. A deeper dive into what the reversal of gender roles actually means to their society would enhance the story greatly.
The art’s decent; I appreciate that there’s multiple body types, and some ethnic diversity in the cast without making it a plot point. Our heroine has a hairstyle that must be a pain to draw, so I appreciate the effort the artist has put in.
Overall, very average. Recommended to junior high readers on up who are interested in gender role inversion stories.
Thank you. I’ll pass.