Meridian
CrossGen Comics.
*1
Flying Solo (1-7; w Barbara Kesel; a Joshua Middleton, Steve McNiven,
Dexter Vines, John Dell, Jordi Ensign). [From CrossGen
Comics: Sephie's life used to be wonderful. On the faraway world of
Demetria, as the only child of the Minister of the floating island of Meridian,
her days were spent in preparation for the time when she would lead the
city-state of shipbuilders. Someday...but not today. Because today something
extraordinary will happen - an event that will cost Sephie her family, her
friends, and very nearly her world. It will transform her from a Minister-in-training
to the hero of all Demetria and put her into deadly conflict with her evil
Uncle Ilahn. Worst of all, it will take her far away from Meridian. Far
away from home. But Sephie's going to get back to Meridian...and nothing
will stop her.] Old Book of the Week 2/16/05: [I
never read a CrossGen comic when they were in business, only picking up
a few trades when they started showing up in bargain bins after the company
collapsed (a confession that will no doubt make Mark Alessi cringe). The
entire universe just seemed, well, fey to me, and knowing that most of the
books were interconnected in some way was also a turn-off. And most of them
do nothing for me. But there were a few gems among them, and the crown jewel
was Meridian. It is set on a fantasy world with floating cities in
the sky above a desolate, poisoned landscape. Sephie is the daughter of
the ruler of Meridian, and when he dies, she inherits both mysterious powers
and the enmity of her uncle, who rules another city-island. The series involves
both her coming to terms with her abilities, and the political machinations
of her world, as her uncle tries to seize control of as much as possible,
at her expense. Obviously, there’s a cute boy for her to fall for,
and loyal friends, and hissing villains; but the story is told with a real
heart and humanity that elevates it above the level of cliché. So
dig through those bargain bins, and find Flying Solo (in either its
regular or digest-sized Traveler edition); it will probably be cheap enough
to justify the gamble.]
*2 Going to Ground (8-14; w Barbara Kesel; a Mike Wieringo, Steve
McNiven, George Pérez, Derec Aucoin, Mike Perkins, Tom Simmons, Jordi
Ensign, Rob Stull). [From CrossGen Comics:Sephie's
tougher than she looks. The young Minister of Meridian - one of many islands
floating among the clouds of Demetria - took her father's place as ruler
of their city-state upon his sudden death. In the midst of that tragedy,
a mysterious force imprinted strange marks of power upon both Sephie and
her ambitious uncle Ilahn. Sephie's power is the spark of life itself. Ilahn's
delivers destruction. As Ilahn sought control of Meridian, Sephie apparently
fell to her death from a floating skyship. With her gone, the way seemed
clear for Ilahn's conquest of Meridian. But Sephie didn't die. From her
bleak enslavement on the blighted surface of Demetria, Sephie will find
greater strength within herself than she ever thought possible... and she
will gather an army to win back her home in the clouds. ] 
3 Taking the Skies (15-20; w Barbara Kesel; a Steve McNiven, Tom
Simmons). [From CrossGen Comics: Sephie's new friends
have become allies in the struggle against her evil uncle Ilahn, whose goal
is nothing less than world domination. With just one airship and small band
of freedom fighters, she will show that Ilahn's power can be defied. With
each daring raid, Sephie's legend grows, bringing more and more to her banner,
and soon the Pirates of the Wind are notorious throughout her world. But
the unspeakably tragic event that will mold them into a true rebel army
also brings an end to a young girl's innocence.] 
4 Coming Home (21-26; w Barbara Kesel; a Steve McNiven, Mark Farmer,
Tom Simmons, Andy Smith). [From CrossGen Comics:
When her father died, Sephie received strange magical powers - and grave
responsibilities as Minister of her floating island home of Meridian. She's
struggled under the weight of both, but now Sephie is ready to lead the
resistance against her selfish uncle Ilahn, Minister of Cadador, who has
placed all of the planet Demetria under his heel. Aided by her band of freedom
fighters, the Pirates of the Wind, Sephie fights to liberate Meridian. Awaiting
her is a fateful showdown with Ilahn, a showdown that will cost Sephie her
innocence and perhaps even her life.] 