The Last Barbarians #1 from Image Comics treads some familiar ground, but then departs on behalf of family.
Sylv is a strong warrior woman, but unemployed. She’s getting kicked out of her place for defaulting on rent. And her Giant-sized older brother has suffered brain damage, resulting in him having a child-like approach to life. She’s no Red Sonja, instead a woman looking for work. Between flasks of ale, that is. And she’s ended up in the stinkin’ drink.
The brainchild of Brian Haberlin, with additional words by Hannah Wall, The Last Barbarians puts a few twists on the usual ‘barbarian’ tropes, to our benefit. So why did this book not grab me by the hairs and drag me up into mid-air?
The intro blurb on the inside front cover might offer a clue: the Decree By The Guild Maestro Janna the Stalwart reads obtusely. We are not sure what to make of it. Is this a thing? We have to study ‘homework’??
All in all, writer Brian Haberlin sets the overall scene in a nicely dramatic way, showing Sylv and Giant Brother and some creepy mascot named Hedgy have just broken free, ready to run from captivity. But first, there are Giant Ogres, and politics, and beer pubs to deal with.
The Brian Haberlin art (epic colours by Geirrod Van Dyke, flats by T.R. Briar, letters by Francis Takenaga) is reminiscent of Richard Corben’s, complete with round Shrek faces, big eyes and loads of shadows. Maybe there’s a little 3D figure work mixed in? It all looks fantasy-real, but manipulated, slightly off model but bent and expressive. Exaggerated figures, wild lighting highlights.
All in all, it’s an interesting adventure, filled with odd creatures, a mimimum of swordplay and loads of scenes of Sylv trying to cope with huge slabs of frustration. The barbarian world’s newest antihero.
Image Comics, The Last Barbarian #1, $3.99 for 24 pages of content.
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