Fantasy: a genre of imaginative fiction involving magic and adventure, esp. in a setting other than the real world.

Popular fantasy has been a real drag lately.

While I appreciate the allure of more gritty works such as Game Of Thrones, those stories seem more like actual medieval history.

The denizens of these tales are often very flawed with ambiguous morals. For example, you may encounter heroes with faulty judgement, or antagonists with streaks of nobility.

Protagonists may be defeated, the innocent are just collateral damage in wars between monarchs, and justice is often very elusive.

Also, there are only the occasional glimpses of the supernatural.

Even though having complex characters and themes is commendable, what many of these epics sorely lack is what makes fantasy, well, fantasy - magic and wonder!

Thank god there is still room in the genre for projects like one.

Journey Quest, the web series produced by Zombie Orpheus Entertainment, is an enjoyable tribute to classic fantasy tropes.

Welcome to a world populated with powerful magic weapons, wizards, devoted clerics, bards, orcs, wicked kings, deadly assassins, angels, demons, other-worldly beings, and colorful characters of all kinds.

Yeah, it's like a Dungeons & Dragons game come to vivid life - and it's a blast!

However, don't think for a moment because magic flows freely in Journey Quest that the characters and production lack depth. On the contrary, all the production values are outstanding. The writing is sharp, witty, and sophisticated, showcasing a wry sense of humor.

Then there is the talented cast.

These actors have got chops, plus they are a pleasure to watch. In fact, there are some notable guest stars whose identities I won't spoil for you.

The web series chronicles the adventure of one hapless band of companions:

Perf (Christian Doyle) A magic user who may be the worst wizard ever
Nara (Anne Kennedy Brady) An elf determined to pursue her destiny
Carrow (Brian Lewis) A pious cleric whose faith will be put to the test
Glorion (Kevin Pitman) A delusional, single-minded knight
Wren (Emillie Rommel Shimkus) An ambitious bard who breaks the cardinal rule of her order

Of course at the heart of the series is the quest - one for a powerful magical object which can destroy the evil kings who have subjugated the land. A weapon coveted by both dark and light forces.

Start the journey by watching the complete premiere episode:

To watch all available episodes, visit the Journey Quest YouTube channel.

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