Characters from Barbaric, from Vault Comics, emerge into a new title, Queen Of The Swords #1.
Written by Michael Moreci, this title is a stand-alone book, with plenty to offer. Serra, Ka, and Deadheart set out on a quest together. Oh, and Deadheart’s sword has the evil Ga’Bar trapped within it, and Ga’Bar love to talk, talk and talk.
Speaking of talking, there is plenty of dialogue in this first issue, as Moreci gives us extended glimpses of the characters’ backstories. Amid the swearing and graphic sex situations, we come to learn of the trials and troubles of their pasts. But in ‘present time’, the three reluctant companions are hunting for gold, fighting off ghosts, and drinking beer.
Artist Corin Howell conjures up nicely composed closeups of Serra, Ka, and Deadheart, and renders the battle scenes with enthusiasm. Howell employs a wide variation of viewpoints, silhouettes, and line weights to tell the story, and it all works.
It’s coloured in a dark blue and gold chroma by colourist Kike Diaz. My feeling is that while it’s atmospheric this way, many scenes could have been better illuminated for easier reading without sacrificing the ‘mood indigo’.
Jim Campbell’s choice of lettering fonts here is a strange one; the dialogues appear ‘off’, looking poorly hand lettered. The balloons themselves are strangely shaped, not standard balloons. I am sure that Campbell is looking to set this series apart from other titles, and did not intent to distract the reader, but this is what actually does happen. And the back slant italic of Ga’Bar requires us to slow down and study his word balloons, unfortunately. Oh, as a former graphic designer, shall I mention that the main front cover, with Deadheart’s head and fur cape blocking the title of the comic is also difficult to decipher?
Queen Of Swords is a dramatic journey and a start to new friendships that are formed in battle. Let’s follow the title and see what strange lands it will introduce us to, what orgies of action we will be party to!
Vault Comics, Queen of Swords #1, $4.99 for 37 pages of content. Adult language, graphic sexual content
Anthony Andujar Jr. 
Newsdesk