BARBARIC: THE HARVEST BLADES #1 Writer: Michael Morici Artist: Robert Wilson IV, Addison Duke Letters: Jim Campbell  Publisher: Vault Comics Release Date: July 13, 2022 Cover Price: $5.99 Like a punch in the privates, BARBARIC is back! Bloodier and more irreverent than ever. In this one-shot, Owen, the barbarian cursed to do good, is forced out of hiding and back to his old B.S.! A whole bunch of violence, ethically approved, of course, by his moral compass, the talking Axe! Find out for yourself why Entertainment Weekly, Thrillist, Screen Rant, and a whole bunch of other people called BARBARIC one of the best comics of 2021. The first of many one-shots that further explore the world of Barbaric, whose second arc, Axe To Grind, arrives in July! Score: ★★★★ (4/5) When 'Barbaric' #1 was released a year ago it was an instant hit for its irreverent humor and blood-soaked action. Writer Michael Moreci mixed classic fantasy tropes with a modern comedic sensibility that made it a j...

  BARBARIC: AXE TO GRIND #1 Writer: Michael Moreci Artist: Nathan Gooden, Addison Duke Letters: Jim Campbell Publisher: Vault Comics Release Date: August 17, 2022 Cover Price: $4.99 It's the moment we've all been waiting for - the start of an all-new arc of BARBARIC! Follow Owen and his magical companion, the tender, talking Axe as they spread kindness and hope in a world gone bad...just kidding! Owen, Axe, and Soren are back, and so is all the mayhem and bloodshed that follows them wherever they go! This time, they're out to settle an old score against Gladius, a wicked a$$hole who did Owen wrong way back in his barbarian days. As always...it's just f***ing barbaric. Score: ★★★★1/2 (4.5/5) One of the best fantasy titles is back as Owen, his talking axe, Soren, and Steel have their hands full with giant vampires in comics' wildest and most entertaining ride. The new arc wastes no time getting right to the action as the group is in the middle of a fight.  What...

  QUEEN OF SWORDS #1 Writer: Michael Moreci Artist: Corin Howell, Kike Diaz Letters: Jim Campbell Publisher: Vault Comics Release Date: June 14, 2023 Cover Price: $4.99 Spinning out of the pages of BARBARIC comes an all-new, standalone, rip-roaring fantasy adventure, filled with mayhem, humor, and a bloodthirsty weapon that just won't stop talking! Serra is a witch with a checkered past; Ka is an assassin with an agenda all her own, and Deadheart is a barbarian who wants to bash everyone in her path. They'll have to unite their unique skills to track down a powerful foe who's tied their lives together. Get ready to meet your new favorite instrument of death-the evil Ga'Bar, whose spirit is now trapped in Deadheart's sword! Discover the origin of the dark magic that turned Soren into the tattooed witch she is today, in this totally new story, the perfect place to step into the world of BARBARIC for the first time! Score:   ★★★★★ (5/5) Whether you’re a fan...

    BARBARIC: HELL TO PAY #1 Writer: Michael Moreci Artist: Nathan Gooden, Addison Duke Letters: Jim Campbell Publisher: Vault Comics Release Date: January 18, 2023 Cover Price: $4.99 Barbaric is back and headed straight to hell in an all-new arc so big and bloody, it's getting an extra issue! While Owen tames a dragon with an old friend, Soren and Steel cross paths with someone else from our cursed barbarian's past...who isn't looking nearly as friendly. Hell hath no fury like a woman stabbed through the heart by an ugly f***ing orc. Oh, wait! Who's carrying Axe? SCORE: ★★★★1/2 (4.5/5) QUICK REVIEW: The 'Barbaric' franchise is one of Vault's biggest hits and they've been smart enough to keep building on each success with more adventures. Since its release, 'Barbaric' by Michael Moreci, Nathan Gooden, and Addison Duke has been a reliable source of entertainment. Issue one quickly set up this universe where a barbarian named Owen is cursed to d...

Everything you want in a sword and sorcery book is right here. A barbarian cursed by witches to do good. An enchanted talking ax that steers his moral compass and talks smack. Let the adventure begin! BARBARIC #1 Writer: Michael Moreci Artist: Nathan Gooden, Addison Duke Letterer: Jim Campbell Publisher: Vault Comics Release Date: June 30, 2021 Cover Price: $3.99 Owen the Barbarian has been cursed to do good with what remains of his life. His bloodthirsty weapon, Axe, has become his moral compass with a drinking problem. Together they wander the realm, foredoomed to help any who seek assistance. But there is one thing Owen hates more than a life with rules: Witches. Welcome to the skull-cracking, blood-splattering, mayhem-loving comic brave enough to ask: How can a man sworn to do good do so much violence? Hah! F***ing with you. It's just...BARBARIC. Score: ★★★★★ (5/5) Michael Moreci has made a success of putting his own spin on well-worn genres like horror ( The Plot ),  advent...

  BARBARIC: HELL TO PAY #3  Writer: Michael Moreci Artist: Nathan Gooden Letters: Jim Campbell Publisher: Vault Comics Release Date: April 12, 2023 Cover Price: $4.99 A new player has entered the field--SERRA, Soren's mentor! Is she good? Is she evil? What the hell is the deal with those chains?! Meanwhile, Owen, Deadheart, and Frogly go on a heist quest, like Oceans 11, but in hell! Score: ★★★★1/2 (4.5/5) There isn't a better adventure series right now than 'Barbaric: Hell to Pay' by Michael Moreci, Nathan Gooden, and Addison Duke. Owen & Company's trek through Hell is as amusing as thrilling. 'Barbaric' has always blended humor and action well but with the ensemble cast being more prominently featured in this series, it proves there is no weak link character-wise. Owen's journey leads to a heist attempt with Deadheart and Frogly. Dealing with an existential crisis and coming to terms with his past with Deadheart, Owen is feeling all sor...

Owen makes one last stand against the abbot's minions in this arc finale that will leave you breathless! BARBARIC #3 Writer: Michael Moreci Artist: Nathan Gooden, Addison Duke Letterer: Jim Campbell Publisher: Vault Comics Release Date: August 25, 2021 Cover Price: $3.99 Everything's gone to sh*t. But what else is new for a barbarian cursed to do good, who has to follow the commands of a bloodthirsty axe? It's just that today's a little worse. With Owen's back against the wall, and his enemies eager to chop him to bits, things are looking especially grim as the first arc of BARBARIC comes to a close. Score: ★★★★★ (5/5) 'Barbaric' by Michael Moreci and Nathan Gooden debuted a mere three months ago. It arrived like a supernova, exploding brightly onto the comic book landscape with bone-crushing action and sly meta-humor. It was just the right mix of fantasy and fun that readers needed, a refreshing adventure the likes of 'Big Trouble in Little China...

  BARBARIC: THE HARVEST BLADES Writer: Michael Moreci Artist: Robert Wilson IV Colorist: Addison Duke  Letterer: Jim Campbell Designer: Tim Daniel  Covers: Nathan Gooden, Josh Hixson, Chris Shehan, Maria Wolf, Skylar Patridge, Leila Leiz On Sale: 7/13/2022 Synopsis: Like a punch in the privates, BARBARIC is back! Bloodier and more irreverent than ever. In this one-shot, Owen, the barbarian cursed to do good, is forced out of hiding and back to his old B.S.! A whole bunch of violence, ethically approved, of course, by his moral compass, the talking Axe! Find out for yourself why Entertainment Weekly, Thrillist, Screen Rant,  and a whole bunch of other people [ including us ] called BARBARIC one of the best comics of 2021. The first of many one-shots that further explore the world of Barbaric! Courtesy of Vault Comics

Soren's backstory is revealed. Along with Owen and Axe, the three may have underestimated what they're up against when they storm the abbey. This year's biggest hit continues! BARBARIC #2 Writer: Michael Moreci Artist: Nathan Gooden, Addison Duke Letters: Jim Campbell Publisher: Vault Comics Release Date: July 28, 2021 Cover Price: $3.99 More blood! More mayhem! More monsters! Will Owen storm the abbey with Soren the witch? Will axe get drunk on blood? Yes! And you're going to love it. Score: ★★★★1/2 (4.5/5) 'Barbaric' #1 burst onto the scene with a refreshingly meta and funny sword and sorcery adventure debut that became an instant fan-favorite. It was like seeing 'Big Trouble in Little China' for the first time. A cursed barbarian is forced to "do good" no matter what and is guided by a blood-drunk talking axe. The chemistry was undeniable, the action bloody, and it set this odd couple on the path to join forces with Soren, a necromancer, ...

It what could be the best year in independent comics in sales and quality, here are some examples of what made 2021 in comics so entertaining, funny, exciting, thrilling, and thought-provoking.  Rumors of the death of the comic industry have been wildly exaggerated. Despite what some angry internet trolls may have posted, the comic book industry is alive and well, thriving in 2021. In fact, since 2012 , book sales have steadily climbed every year becoming a billionaire dollar industry with no sign of stopping. Bolstered by manga, middle-grade publications, and graphic novels, comics are as healthy as ever.  I've been lucky to read and review so many wonderful independent comics thanks to the generosity of comic book publishers, public relations agencies, and creators themselves that reach out and/or agree to provide copies. The truth is, there are too many great comics to not only read but to review in a timely manner. It can be overwhelming, especially for a one-man operat...

  BABS #1 (W) Garth Ennis  (A) Jacen Burrows, Andy Troy Letters: Rob Steen Cover A: Jacen Burrows Cover B: Chris Burnham Cover C: Amanda Conner Cover D: Chris Burnham Line Art From legendary writer Garth Ennis (The Boys, Preacher) and superstar artist Jacen Burrows (Crossed, The Punisher): Meet BABS, a barbarian thief with an itchy metal wardrobe and the world's worst enchanted sword (named Barry). Together they travel a fantastic landscape of wizards, dragons, demons, castles—and a band of very angry, very white knights. Babs wasn’t looking for a fight, but she’s never found a bad situation she couldn’t make 100 times worse! Featuring variant covers by Chris Burnham (Batman Inc.) and Amanda Conner (Harley Quinn). August 14, 2024 $3.99 Score: ★★★★☆ (4/5) If you're a fan of sword & sorcery comics like Red Sonja and Barbaric then you'll love  Babs by Garth Ennis, Jacen Burrows, and Andy Troy. It's a fun satirical look at the genre that fits perfectly unde...