REVIEW: 'Babs' #4 by Garth Ennis, Jacen Burrows, and Andy Troy

Babs #4 

(W) Garth Ennis 

(A) Jacen Burrows, Andy Troy

(L) Rob Steen 

Cover A: Jacen Burrows

Cover B: Peter Krause

Publisher: Ahoy Comics

Release Date: November 27, 2024

Cover Price: $3.99

More outrageous sword-slinging from the red-hot team of Garth Ennis & Jacen Burrows (Get Fury, Crossed)! On a mission to recover her friend, Izzy, Babs takes to the sea aboard a ship of smug, precious, affected elves, whose very existence infuriates her and whose captain has undisclosed plans for her!

Score: 

★★★★☆ (4/5)

 Babs by Garth Ennis, Jacen Burrows, and Andy Troy continues to shine as a sharp, entertaining satire of the fantasy genre, with a clear homage to the iconic barbarian She-Devil, Red Sonja. However, where Sonja is known for her fierce stoicism, Babs takes a much more irreverent approach—sarcastic, foul-mouthed, and just as formidable in battle. In this latest chapter, Babs finds herself aboard a boat full of obnoxious elves, headed on a mission to find her missing friend, Izzy. As always, it’s an adventure packed with unexpected twists and plenty of humor.

Ennis keeps the story engaging by weaving in some village intrigue, where the new royal leadership has enslaved the “Others”—ogres, trolls, dragons, and other fantastical creatures—to work in the mines. Meanwhile, the goblin brothers, hoping to climb the social ladder and win favor with the ruling class, betray their fellow villagers, thinking they’ll be rewarded with power and wealth. Of course, their treachery goes unrewarded, and the stage is set for further conflict. Meanwhile, Babs has her own set of struggles: bickering with her enchanted sword, enduring the elves' endless songs, and dealing with a private gathering that turns uncomfortably wild. The tone remains light-hearted, with a clear, well-paced narrative that promises a satisfying continuation in the next issue. The political undertones, though not subtle, hit their mark with unsettling relevance.

Burrows and Troy deliver a vibrant, diverse array of characters that perfectly capture the spirit of the fantasy genre. Their work on the visuals is a standout, particularly in crafting a richly detailed world that feels both grounded and fantastical. However, readers should be warned about one brief but explicit scene—it’s sexy, but fleeting.

Ultimately, Babs remains a must-read each month, offering a perfect blend of humor, adventure, and fantasy. With Ennis and Burrows at the helm, this series is proving to be a winning combination.