A Review of The Mighty Barbarians #1

The Mighty Barbarians #1
Michael Moreci words
Giusepee Cafaro art
Barbara Nosenzo colors
Jim Campbell letters
From Ablaze Publishing

Sick of the same ol’ team comics? Friend, have I got a book for you. Sharpen your axe and peep the solicit:

When an unstoppable force starts consuming one world after another, sorceress Morgan Le Fey uses her magic to assemble a team of skull-cracking warriors who must somehow work together to save all of existence. There's the young trickster Anansi, Viking shield maiden Birka, the shape-shifting Nanook, and their leader, heir to a fallen kingdom and mightiest of warriors, KULL!

Though their alliance is uneasy, they will do whatever it takes to cut the heart right out of their mutual enemy, leaving a path of ruin through everything and everyone that stands in their way!

When darkness spreads, Barbarians… Assemble!

The Mighty Barbarians was destined for perfection. Michael Moreci has exercised a proficiency in these hulkish, larger-than-life warriors through his heralded series, Barbaric. Ablaze has also shown off their skills in barbarous narratives within their long-running Cimmerian collection built from the blood of Robert E. Howard. Now, these two iconic, creative powerhouses are joining forces, and the result is pure, uncut brutality.

Moreci’s research really brings this narrative to life. The cast is plucked from historical myths spreading throughout numerous and ancient cultures. There’s an intelligence embedded within these pages that I didn’t expect. This is much different than Moreci’s Barbaric. The humor and quirkiness is set aside for high tension and blood lust. It’s got weight, and that heft pushes down on the reader’s shoulders. We sweat with the heroes as the fear of the looming darkness creeps along our spines and invades our peripheral vision. 

Luckily, the darkness can’t entirely blind us because Giusepee Cafaro’s line art is impeccable. Character designs are varied and thoroughly detailed. The personalities that Moreci so carefully prescribes become impressive, physical entities as Cafaro’s pencils chisel these warriors into a physical space. Their looks provide agency, and that agency corresponds with  a fondness and respect from the audience. By the end of this first issue, you’re ready to fight and die by the sides of these various champions.

Barbara Nosenzo’s colors do a lot of great work on establishing the mood. It’s visceral. It’s dark. Times are frightening and hope is, nearly, lost. We feel this via Nosenzo’s palette. It never gets too bright or too warm, but it also won’t get cool enough to congeal the blood being splattered across the panels. 

Team books are tricky because, many times, too much time is wasted establishing the conflict and the team, but Moreci effortlessly glides past this hurdle. Introductions are quick and expertly enacted. The conflict is easy to see and intimidating to witness. As readers, we get just enough because Moreci knows when to pick up and move on to another scene. Again and again, he’s proven himself a master at both structure and pacing.

I’m also fond of the lettering, but Jim Campbell’s got one of those names that puts you in a safe place when you see it on a cover. The dark-spawning warriors have their own text, which serves well in the mind of the reader. Every page is gloriously organized, and the art truly shines. Sound effects are great. They’re heavy and dangerous. It all comes together in a tight package fit for a barbarian king. 

I’ve told you all before, but Ablaze is a publisher to keep an eye on. They’re dropping really wonderful, and varied, indie titles and manga. The Mighty Barbarians is a mighty addition to their flawless endeavors. I’m already counting the days until the second issue drops in shops on May 17th. I’d highly recommend telling your shop to set a copy aside for you. I sure wouldn’t want to be the one explaining to Kull why you missed his epic journey. 

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