When the first issue is so good, there’s no way the second can be as well, right? Barbaric #2 delivers the goods with a fantastic second issue full of action, laughs, and adds depth to its world. Barbaric is the story of Owen the Barbarian who is cursed to do what’s right. That at times can be difficult to figure out. So, he has Axe, a blood-thirsty… axe, to guide him as to what to do. Along comes Soren, a necromancer who Owen saves and then winds up teaming up with for a quest.

Written by Michael Moreci, Barbaric #2 has such brilliance to it that it’s hard to describe. On its surface, the comic and series as a whole is a classic fantasy quest. There’s a barbarian and a necromancer who must team up and defeat an even worse evil. It’s a concept we’ve seen so many times before. But, it’s the details that Moreci includes that makes the comic stand out.

While the setting might be a fantasy quest, the concept is more buddy-cop comedy. Owen and Soren don’t get along and mix in the sarcastic Axe, you have a duo (fine trio) that would fit into modern cop schtick. Then, there’s the subtle comments that take a rather progressive viewpoint and place them in a rather regressive world. But, even that’s done in a twisted way as Owen is forced into this role. He was a horrible human being and his curse is to do good. Guided by a blood-thirsty axe, this is a barbarian who’s struggling with his nature and inclination to do what he wants.

Barbaric #2 delivers some depth on these two, mainly focusing on Soren’s story. We find out about her powers and her history but the issue dances around Owen’s axe’s story as well. Even with all of that, the issue moves things along quite briskly putting the duo into the type of battle and dungeon crawling you’d expect from the genre.

Moreci’s fantastic story is helped by Nathan Gooden‘s art. With Addison Duke‘s color and Jim Campbell‘s lettering, the images and dialogue pops on the page. There’s such personality with each character. The art shows off such subtle aspects that are told through the body language and facial expressions of the characters. The story wouldn’t work with a more traditional fantasy style to the art. This is a case where the style really helps set and sell the tone of the series and story.

Barbaric #2 is another solid issue that continues a hell of a fun adventure. There’s something fantastic about this series in that it adds to a genre that has been around for decades while also acting as an homage and a bit of a send-up as well. There’s something for everyone here and in all of that, it’s able to keep readers on their toes. The first issue was fantastic and this follow-up is able to keep up with another amazing entry.

Story: Michael Moreci Art: Nathan Gooden
Color: Addison Duke Letterer: Jim Campbell
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Vault Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

---

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW

Barbaric #1 is the story of a total bastard of a barbarian who was cursed by witches to be good. His axe, which talks to him and loves blood, keeps him on the straight and narrow as its own little lie detector. He has a real hatred of witches, which plays right into the crux of the story, where a witch is targeted by an angry mob. There’s that tricky thing about being good that pulls him in to help the witch. Well, that and the creatures that are springing forth from the ground.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Barbaric #1. Barbaric is definitely an apt name for this book. For a book that could have easily come off as just another hack-and-slash or even a Conan rip-off, Barbaric definitely comes off as something totally different. It plays up the language and the violence a lot. It’s a brutal book, with a gleam of humor and ultimately makes for a unique fantasy comic book. Michael Moreci’s writing is on-point here. It was a nice change to have characters speak like normal characters and not drum up fantasy speak. The dialogue felt more natural.

I thought the visuals were well-suited for the story. Nathan Gooden and Addison Duke’s art totally embellishes the blood and guts and glory of Barbaric. A really gritty style of art is on display with this comic and they don’t shy away from violent depictions of an axe-wielding madman going to town on a bunch of people. Good lettering throughout by Jim Campbell.

I normally recommend the D&D books that IDW Publishing puts out but this might be the new book to recommend to people who are looking for something different and enjoyable. Barbaric #1 totally lives up to its name (but in a good way) and delivers the bloody ass-kickings you’d want from a hard-R fantasy story. A man and his talking axe make for a fine story. Personally, I’d buy this issue and continue on from there.

Story: Michael Moreci Art: Nathan Gooden
Color: Addison Duke Letterer: Jim Campbell
Story: 9.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Vault Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

---

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW

There’s a certain formula to the “Barbarian genre” best shown in stories like Conan the Barbarian. The stories usually feature lots of brutal action with axes swinging and enemies slashed apart. There’s also mystical elements featuring witches or evil spells. And there’s a bit of a regressive nature about them as the main character beds women, tend to find themselves at the center of the world, and only help when they’re forced or it benefits them. Barbaric #1 on the surface seems like another spin on that formula but it’s far more sly and intelligent.

Owen the Barbarian is cursed to do good. Yes, he was the typical barbarian trope but a trio of witches has forced him to actually help people when asked. Then, there’s Axe, Owen’s talking mystical axe who only wants the blood of evil individuals. Put them together and you have Ghost Rider in a barbarian setting with a social justice spin to it all. And, it’s awesome.

Written by Michael Moreci, Barbaric #1 at first comes off as a crazed barbarian who has a code of justice and might be crazy. But, as the story expands and more details are revealed, it turns into something so much more. Moreci has taken the classic barbarian trope and delivered a spin to it. Though the title is barbaric, its underlying themes and “code of conduct” is anything but.

Barbaric #1 is fun in that it sets up a story that feels like the classic barbarian story. It has all sorts of violent fights. Boy parts are slashed off. Blood flies with glee. That glee delivers an almost comedic aspect to it all. The violence delivers laughs as the comic is able to deliver a comedic beat and deliver that’s almost physical in nature.

That’s all done by the impressive art of Nathan Gooden. The comic sticks to the classic barbarian visuals but does so in such an exaggerated way. Axe adds to it all as the reader is unsure if it’s really talking. That leads to some solid moments of laughter as the characters within the comic are left to ponder the same thing. Addison Duke‘s colors pop and Jim Campbell‘s lettering helps bring all of the jokes together. Campbell’s lettering gives Axe a lot of its personality and enhances so many of the other characters. The art is fantastic with a style that’s part Conan, part Groo, and part Lobo, and most importantly all fun.

Barabric #1 is a hell of a start that sets things up nicely. By the end, we know the mission, we know the tone, and we know “the rules”. There’s an underlying intelligence in all of that’s unexpected and makes this stand out. This is a comic for people looking for something a little smarter than your average hack and slash.

Story: Michael Moreci Art: Nathan Gooden
Color: Addison Duke Letterer: Jim Campbell
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Vault Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

---

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW