(W) Garth Ennis
(A) Jacen Burrows, Andy Troy
Letters: Rob Steen
On their quest down the demon-cursed Black Road South, Babs and Izzy face murderous creatures, a murderous hobbit who’s into bondage, and a couple of particularly murderous, impossible-not-to-mock examples of cosmetic surgery attached to a narcissistic swordswoman! Is all of this stress worth the treasure that might await at road’s end? Of course. It’s treasure!
Publisher: Ahoy Comics
Release Date: April 1, 2026
Price: $4.99
Score:
★★★★1/2 (4.5/5)
When reality is fraught with anxiety, depression, and a general unease at the state of the world, thank goodness for comics like 'Babs.' Garth Ennis, Jacen Burrows and Andy Troy provide much-needed levity and charm in this satirical take on the sword and sorcery fantasy genre. This follow-up series takes Babs and company down the cursed Black Road South where more chaos ensues.
Issue three brings the action and humor ingrained in the series by poking fun at every fantasy trope. The summoning of a demon goes awry causing the demon to become exasperated. The caravan is led by a scantily-clad muscular she-swordswoman with an abundance of confidence and a stubborn will. Her will will be tested but ultimately will prove useful in the end. Babs mocking of her behind her back in the chattering with Izzy is a hoot. Their chemistry throughout the series has been the right balance of one being level-headed and one being unhinged at times. Izzy is the right counter-balance to Babs unpredictable nature.
Things get dangerous when a hobbit inexplicably dressed in an S&M outfit summons blood-thirsty creatures that have the crew on the run. Ennis maintains a great level of balance between comedy and action. The humor borders on parody ever so slightly but then grounds the story in compelling action with blood-soaked combat and real stakes. The well-rounded storytelling makes each issue a riveting and funny read.
Burrows and Troy rise to every challenge the script throws at them. Their character work captures sardonic expressions and comedic body language with the same confidence they bring to kinetic, visceral action sequences. The art builds a fantasy world that feels lived-in even as it's being lovingly lampooned.
'Babs: The Black Road South' is another sharp entry in Ahoy Comics' growing catalog of smart, irreverent titles, an imprint that has quietly become a reliable home for creators with something funny and pointed to say. In Babs, Ennis and company have delivered a gem that earns its laughs without sacrificing its edge.
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