Xena Warrior Princess #1, from Dynamite, is based of course on the popular TV show of the same name.
This licensed property makes its debut in a tale written by Vita Ayala, illustrated by Olympia Sweetman and coloured by Rebecca Nalty.
Xena and her fighting companion Gabrielle encounter a stranger on the road. He pleads for their help. You see, the evil goddess Discord is threatening the village, and will take the village children to settle an old debt!
It’s swords against oppression, and confused villagers arguing among themselves. Hey, this story could take place today! In fact, Gabrielle is a young woman way ahead of her time. She spouts current expressions such as ‘this isn’t our first rodeo’, which seems jarring in this medieval setting.
Sweetman’s artwork is good enough if a bit inconsistent. Gabrielle and Xena’s likenesses often change throughout the course of the book. Small, thin, medium. When they sleep together, Gabrielle is drawn to resemble a very young girl cuddled up to Xena, but when she is fighting, she is drawn as if she’s in her mid to late teens.
All forgivable by the true Xena fan, but just don’t expect the comic drawings to closely resemble the robust characters of the hit TV show.
Dynamite, Xena #1, $3.99 for 22 pages of content. Rated Teen+
Newsdesk