Tag Archives: barbaric

Review: Barbaric #1

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Barbaric #1

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

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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United States of Captain America #1

Wednesdays (and now Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in

Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.

Barbaric #1 (Vault Comics) – Owen the Barbarian has been cursed to do good with what remains of his life. His bloodthirsty weapon, Axe, has become his moral compass with a drinking problem. We’re sold!

By the Horns #3 (Scout Comics) – A fantastic fantasy series about a woman bent on revenge against the unicorns who killed her beloved.

Darling #1 (Source Point Press) – New York City is caught up in a missing 8-year old girl but Francis Darling accidentally stumbles onto the machinations behind her kidnapping and the drug war that ensues. But has he really?

Factory Summers (Drawn & Quarterly) – Guy Delisle recounts his summers working in a paper mill.

Made in Korea #2 (Image Comics) – The first issue was fantastic and we’re expecting this one to be just as good. We felt something was lurking under the pages in the first issue and we want to see what, if anything, that is.

Mighty Crusaders: The Shield (Archie Comics) – The comic has been full of drama but we want to see this Rob Liefeld driven update on the classic Archie characters.

Parasomnia #1 (Dark Horse Comics) – Cullen Bunn and Andrea Mutti, we’re in just for that. The story is about two worlds split between dreams and reality.

Power Rangers Unlimited: Edge of Darkness #1 (BOOM! Studios) – There’s a lot of buzz about this debut which features the Phantom Ranger. Expect sell-outs and new printings.

United States of Captain America #1 (Marvel) – Marvel is going to explore the legacy of Captain America and introduce a bunch of new characters inspired by the icon. We want to see what the series has to say about the character and what he represents.

White #1 (Black Mask Studios) – Black looked at a world where only Black individuals have superpowers. White focuses on the reaction to that and the individuals attempting to stop them.

Vault’s Barbaric Gets a Deluxe Black & White Editions

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Vault Comics has announced that, after record-breaking demand, every issue of the Barbaric series will receive special, deluxe, black & white editions. Printed on deluxe heavyweight paper, Barbaric Black & White Deluxe Editions are designed to spotlight the incredible line art of series artist and co-creator, Nathan Gooden.

Barbaric #1 Black & White Deluxe Edition will come with two new covers. A regular edition with new cover art by Gooden, and a special NSFW black bag variant, also by Gooden. The regular cover can be ordered at comic shops everywhere using Diamond Order Code APR219823. The Black Bag Variant can be ordered using Diamond Order Code APR219824. Both covers will hit store shelves on July, 28th, 2021.   

Barbaric is written and co-created by Michael Moreci, drawn and co-created by Nathan Gooden, colored by Addison Duke, lettered by Jim Campbell, and designed by Tim Daniel.

TAKE IN THE BRUTAL INKS OF YOUR NEW FAVORITE COMIC, NOW AVAILABLE IN A DELUXE BLACK AND WHITE EDITION ON PREMIUM PAPER.

Owen the Barbarian has been cursed to do good with what remains of his life. His bloodthirsty weapon, Axe, has become his moral compass with a drinking problem. Together they wander the realm, foredoomed to help any who seek assistance. But there is one thing Owen hates more than a life with rules: Witches.

Welcome to the skull-cracking, blood-splattering, mayhem-loving comic brave enough to ask: How can a man sworn to do good do so much violence? Hah! F***ing with you. It’s just…BARBARIC.

Preview: Barbaric #1

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Barbaric #1

(W) Michael Moreci (A/CA) Nathan Gooden
In Shops: Jun 30, 2021
SRP: $3.99

Owen the Barbarian has been cursed to do good with what remains of his life. His bloodthirsty weapon, Axe, has become his moral compass with a drinking problem. Together they wander the realm, foredoomed to help any who seek assistance. But there is one thing Owen hates more than a life with rules: Witches.
Welcome to the skull-cracking, blood-splattering, mayhem-loving comic brave enough to ask: How can a man sworn to do good do so much violence? Hah! F***ing with you. It’s just…BARBARIC.

Barbaric #1

Barbaric #1 Sells Out Ahead of Release and Gets a Second Printing

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After the biggest influx of post-Final Order Cutoff reorders in Vault Comics‘ history, the first issue of Barbaric has sold out of a generous overprint at the distributor two weeks ahead of release. The debut issue of Vault’s record-breaking series is being rushed back to print with a new cover by Nathan Gooden and Tim Daniel.

The second printing of Barbaric #1 will hit store shelves on July 28th, the same day as Barbaric #2. It can be ordered at local comic shops everywhere using the Diamond Order Code APR219822.

Witchblood is co-created by best-selling writer Michael Moreci, and star artist Nathan Gooden, with colors by Addison Duke, letters by Jim Campbell, and design by Tim Daniel.

Owen the Barbarian has been cursed to do good with what remains of his life. His bloodthirsty weapon, Axe, has become his moral compass with a drinking problem. Together they wander the realm, foredoomed to help any who seek assistance. But there is one thing Owen hates more than a life with rules: Witches.

Welcome to the skull-cracking, blood-splattering, mayhem-loving comic brave enough to ask: How can a man sworn to do good do so much violence? Hah! F***ing with you. It’s just…BARBARIC.

Barbaric #1 2nd printing

Get a Look at Barbaric #1 Before its June 30 Release

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Vault Comics has revealed an extended preview of Barbaric #1, the wild, blood-thirsty fantasy series from writer Michael Moreci, artist Nathan Gooden, colorist Addison Duke, letterer Jim Campbell, and designer Tim Daniel. 

Barbaric follows Owen the Barbarian who has been cursed to do good with what remains of his life. His bloodthirsty weapon, Axe, has become his moral compass with a drinking problem. Together they wander the realm, foredoomed to help any who seek assistance. But there is one thing Owen hates more than a life with rules: Witches. Welcome to the skull-cracking, blood-splattering, mayhem-loving comic brave enough to ask: How can a man sworn to do good do so much violence? Hah! F***ing with you. It’s just…BARBARIC.

Barbaric #1 will hit store shelves in June 30th, 2021. The first issue will launch with a Vault Vintage variant from Nathan Gooden and Tim Daniel that pays homage to Barry Windsor-Smith’s legendary cover to Conan The Barbarian #1 (1970), and an epic battle variant from Vault Cover Artist In-Residence, Joshua Hixson.

Michael Moreci, Nathan Gooden, Addison Duke, and Jim Campbell Get Barbaric at Vault

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Vault Comics has announced Barbaric, a wild, blood-thirsty fantasy series from writer Michael Moreci, artist Nathan Gooden, colorist Addison Duke, letterer Jim Campbell, and designer Tim Daniel. 

Barbaric follows Owen the Barbarian who has been cursed to do good with what remains of his life. His bloodthirsty weapon, Axe, has become his moral compass with a drinking problem. Together they wander the realm, foredoomed to help any who seek assistance. But there is one thing Owen hates more than a life with rules: Witches. Welcome to the skull-cracking, blood-splattering, mayhem-loving comic brave enough to ask: How can a man sworn to do good do so much violence? Hah! F***ing with you. It’s just…BARBARIC.

Axe, co-star of Barbaric (Owen’s sentient, blood-drunk axe) slurred his way through a statement about his upcoming role in the book. “Look, maybe I am a bloodthirsty axe with a drinking problem, but I still know an epic, kick-ass story when I see one. Granted, I happen to be the star of this particular tale (never mind that barbarian oaf), but that doesn’t change the fact that Barbaric has got it all: action, a sweet f***ing axe, mystery, magic, an awesome AXE, and other non-axe related stuff. So come for the axe and stay for the axe. You don’t want to get me mad, do you?” 

Barbaric #1 will hit store shelves in June 2021, and will debut with a special Vault Vintage cover from Nathan Gooden and Tim Daniel that pays homage to Barry Windsor-Smith’s epic cover to Conan The Barbarian #1 (1970). 

Barbaric #1
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