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Barbaric: Hell to Pay #1
- Writer:
- Michael Moreci
- Artist:
- Nathan Gooden
- Letterer:
- Jim Campbell
- Cover Artist:
- Nathan Gooden
- Publisher:
- Vault Comics
- Price:
- $4.99
- Release Date:
- 2023-01-18
- Colorist:
- Addison Duke
Owen the Barbarian is in Hell, but his friends are determined to rescue him. Written by Michael Moreci, illustrated by Nathan Gooden, with colors by Addison Duke and letters by Jim Campbell, Barbaric: Hell to Pay #1 has the hot-headed Soren, vampiric Steel, and Owen's trusty -- if extremely mouthy -- Axe are on a mission to obliterate orcs and rescue Owen, ready to go to Hell and back.
Orcs are the least of this brutal band of heroes' worries. The captain of the Irikian army is also looking for Owen, and she will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Luckily, Axe knows their new enemy with a common goal, and with a little bit of coercing, Soren and Steel might be up to the greatest challenge of all -- teamwork.
Barbaric is a seamless blend of horror, high fantasy, and rapid-fire comedy in the form of searingly quick, expletive-laden dialog. In lesser hands, this could feel tonally dissonant, intrusive, or unnatural, but luckily, Moreci, the longtime writer of this franchise, finds a way to blend numerous aesthetics to make Barbaric entertaining and gleefully gory.
Barbaric: Hell to Pay #1 diverges from the franchise by having the protagonist, the Axe-wielding Owen the Barbarian, out of commission, held prisoner in Hell, separated from his trusty Axe, leaving his companions, Soren, Steel, and Axe to rescue him. While Owen's presence is missed, save for a few pages, it's a real treat to see Soren front and center. Her snarling sarcasm and deadpan delivery are a good fit with the equally snarky but more outgoing and talkative Axe and Steel's subtle brooding and sardonic sass. The three heroes have a charming dynamic that's fun to read.
Soren's character is a natural choice for the lead and stands on her own, not as Owen's stand-in, but as a protagonist in her own right. Steel and Axe are also in top form. Axe's humor is a consistent and welcome source of comic relief that provides some subtle exposition and introduces intrigue, especially once the heroes collide with the Irikians. Steel is equal parts stern warrior, sarcastic hero, and brooding vampire, and he and Soren share a few vulnerable moments, balancing out this otherwise gleefully gruesome issue.
Artist Nathan Gooden returns to provide the visuals. His style has matured significantly to suit the dark comedic fantasy narrative. The line art is a little thinner and subtler. The black placements, lighting, and cell shading are used more judiciously, keeping the extra spare, scratchy lines clean and easy on the eyes. The papery parchment overlay on the pages adds to this feeling of grime, perfect for a story full of fantastical technicolor bloodshed.
Addison Duke uses a combination of bold, saturated sunset hues to reinforce this issue's pulpy feel. Royal purples, muted earthy tints, and fiery shades of red, orange, and blue make each page a joy to read. Despite the conflicting colors, the palette feels consistent and coherent. Duke evokes an otherworldly, hellacious atmosphere.
Barbaric: Hell to Pay #1 is a unique and exciting entry in a series that already stands out. Even with Owen pushed out of focus for the majority of the issue, the supporting cast does a more than adequate job filling in his rather large shoes, so much so that readers may not even miss him.