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Preview: The Karman Blade #2

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The Karman Blade #2

(W) Darcy Van Poelgeest (A) Ian Bertram

From the Eisner Award-winning team behind LITTLE BIRD and PRECIOUS METAL comes the new dark fantasy phenomenon of 2026, THE KARMAN BLADE. THE QUEST TO SLAY A TYRANT GOD CONTINUES! Anatta comes before the False King, a giant who once carried the burden of The Karman Blade himself. The king sets Anatta on a difficult journey to find passage into the Kingdom of Kalu so that the boy may slay the oppressive god within it. But Anatta’s path is blocked by a stranger, resulting in the greatest sacrifice imaginable.

Cover art for 'The Harman Blade' featuring a silhouetted figure against an abstract pink background with swirling shapes and circular designs.
A comic panel featuring a surreal landscape with vibrant colors, depicting characters in a moment of intimacy and contemplation, surrounded by flowers, waves, and a boat in the background. The text conveys themes of love, war, and a journey to end conflict.
A dramatic comic book scene featuring a muscular character leading an army of humanoid figures with orange hair and armor-like outfits, surrounded by monstrous creatures in the background. The character is delivering a powerful speech with dialogue bubbles expressing defiance against ghouls.
A comic panel depicting a warrior in a dramatic landscape, wielding a blade and confronting a monstrous figure. The background features swirling red and dark colors, conveying tension and conflict. Text boxes convey inner thoughts and emotions about duty and fear.
Cover of the comic book 'The Karman Blade' featuring a young character holding a sword and wearing jewelry, with intricate designs and a colorful background.
A detailed black and white illustration of a muscular man with a prominent hairstyle and beard, set against a chaotic background of swirling patterns and shapes.
Cover of 'The Karman Blade' comic issue #2 featuring an abstract illustration of a character wrapped in bandages, with intricate details and a dark color palette.

The Karmen Blade #1 heads back to print

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The Karman Blade by the bestselling, Eisner Award winning creative team behind Little Bird and Precious Metal—Darcy Van Poelgeest and Ian Bertram—has sold out completely at the distributor level. The mind-melting debut issue of this all-new, dark fantasy epic will be rushed back to print this week in order to keep up with increasing customer demand.

The Karman Blade #1, second printing will feature stunning new art by James Stokoe.

In The Karman Blade, a young man on the outskirts of a dying, desert world is chosen by a blade forged of stars to slay the despotic deity, Kalu, and free the water he hoards in his Kingdom. Yet before the boy can begin his journey, he must first face his demons, and answer the Karman Blade’s call: Are thou he, who taketh me in hand? Are thou he, who shall slay a God?

The Karman Blade #1, second printing by Stokoe (UPC: 70985304859600112) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, October 7.

Comic book cover of 'The Karman Blade' featuring a character holding a sword surrounded by vibrant, swirling colors and a large, ominous wolf-like creature in the background.

The Karman Blade #1 feels like an average fantasy adventure

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The Karman Blade #1

A young man on the outskirts of a dying world is chosen by a blade forged of stars to slay the despotic deity, Kalu, and free the water he hoards in his Kingdom. Yet before the boy can begin his journey, he must first face the demons in his own life, and answer the Karman Blade’s call—“Are thou he, who taketh me in hand? Are thou he…who shall slay a God?” The Karman Blade #1 is interesting with a classic fantasy like narrative but feels like a story we’ve seen many times before.

A down individual receiving a sword to take on a tyrant, it’s a concept that has been done (though weapons may vary). The Karman Blade #1 is the latest entry into that space with interesting artwork and a way of telling that feels more like a daydream fantasy tale.

Created by Ian Bertram and Darcy Van Poelgeest, The Karman Blade #1 is written by Poelgeest and introduces a young boy who is haunted by his situation and the loss of his family, making him an orphan facing a daunting existence. It’s an interesting start that introduces readers to a rather morose life and world. It’s sad and depressing, leaving readers to wonder why the main character Anatta would want to continue. But, Poelgeest delivers a fate that could possibly lead to freedom for all and depose of the tyrant who’s responsible for everyone’s miserable existence.

Ian Bertram‘s art creates a dreamlike aspect to it all. With color by Matt Hollingsworth and lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, the visuals add to the worn down world and characters. It’s an interesting style that’s not always clear in what’s going on but is interesting to explore and examine.

The Karman Blade #1 is an interesting start and for those who really enjoy fantasy tales, they may enjoy this. But, the first issue feels all too familiar. A person teased with a greater destiny and sword to defeat of despot has been done over and over. Dreams and crows telling of this destiny feels like it’s been done too. Overall, The Karman Blade #1 feels like an old familiar story with a new coat of paint.

Created by: Ian Bertram, Darcy Van Poelgeest Story: Darcy Van Poelgeest Art: Ian Bertram
Color: Matt Hollingsworth Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Rea

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Preview: The Karman Blade #1

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The Karman Blade #1

(W) Darcy Van Poelgeest (A) Ian Bertram

From the Eisner Award winning team behind LITTLE BIRD and PRECIOUS METAL comes the new dark fantasy phenomenon of 2026, THE KARMAN BLADE.

A DYING WORLD UNDER A TYRANT GOD! A BLADE TO FREE THEM ALL!

A young man on the outskirts of a dying world is chosen by a blade forged of stars to slay the despotic deity, Kalu, and free the water he hoards in his Kingdom. Yet before the boy can begin his journey, he must first face the demons in his own life, and answer the Karman Blade’s call — “Are thou he, who taketh me in hand? Are thou he… who shall slay a God?”

The Karman Blade #1

Darcy Van Poelgeest and Ian Bertram unsheathe The Karman Blade this September

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The bestselling, Eisner Award winning creative duo behind Little Bird and Precious Metal—Darcy Van Poelgeest and Ian Bertram—reunite for an all-new, dark fantasy epic in, The Karman Blade. This four-issue miniseries is set to launch in September from Image Comics, and promises an entirely new reading experience.

In The Karman Blade, a young man on the outskirts of a dying, desert world is chosen by a blade forged of stars to slay the despotic deity, Kalu, and free the water he hoards in his Kingdom. Yet before the boy can begin his journey, he must first face his demons, and answer the Karman Blade’s call: Are thou he, who taketh me in hand? Are thou he, who shall slay a God?

The Karman Blade #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, September 9.

The Karman Blade #1
  • Cover A by Bertram and Matt Hollingsworth – UPC: 70985304859600111
  • Cover B by Bertram – UPC: 70985304859600121