Writers: Brian Haberlin and Hannah Wall
Art: Brian Haberlin
Colors: Geirrod Van Dyke
Letters: Francis Takenaga
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 15th, 2023
The Last Barbarians #1 introduces a new fantasy world where everyone has to focus on one skill (thievery, sword-fighting, spellcasting, etc.), join the guild corresponding to that skill and spend the rest of their lives in that guild. Anyone who pursues learning multiple skills is called a Barbarian and becomes a social outcast. Enter Sylv, a Barbarian who refuses to limit herself to one trade. She spends her days looking for work and protecting her mentally impaired brother Shadow, a 7-foot tall impossibly strong giant who ALWAYS gets into trouble. And wait until you meet Sylv’s friends! It’s a fun new series and if you’re a fantasy lover, you’ll want to grab this one up!
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The Story
As much as I enjoy dark fantasy with all its trappings of necromancy, doom and angst, I prefer more light-hearted fantasy, and The Last Barbarians #1 is the perfect antidote to a gloomy Winter’s day. Sylv, the star of the book, is delightful. Throughout this first issue, we see how she protects her brother Shadow from harming himself or others (which is a full-time job) and we see her spending time with her friends, including Maisey (a tavern owner who has a seemingly bottomless well of ale). Maisey is like an older sister to Sylv, protecting her as much as Sylv protects her brother. But Sylv’s quick temper is hard to contain.
Sylv’s struggles reflect the same struggles we have here in the real world, including finding and keeping jobs to pay the bills and caring for family members, which makes her an immediately relatable and sympathetic character that you root for. She isn’t some random character wandering through a generic fantasy environment like some D&D cast-off, she’s a complex three-dimensional character in a vivid fantasy world. And what a world it is! I can’t wait to explore it further, since we get to see just a small tantalizing part of it this issue. Most stunning is Sylv’s visit to the Credulian Wastes, a landscape complete with a mountain topped with a giant’s gaping skull and gnarled trees covered in perpetual fog.
It’s a wonderful first issue that ends with a promise of great adventures to come next issue.
The Art
Brian Haberlin’s art on The Last Barbarians #1 is photo-realistic and beautiful throughout. His art reminded me of those stunning illustrations included in first editions of “The Lord of the Rings” books, with each panel visually stunning. Despite the painted quality of the art, it never feels static. The characters live and breathe, moving between panels and scenes fluidly and never looking stiff or posed. I loved the diversity in the character and creature designs, from Sylv’s pixie-style auburn hair and beautiful world-weary features to Shadow’s continuously awed and puzzled expressions.
Final Thoughts
The Last Barbarians #1 is a perfect kick-off to a new fantasy series. Sylv and her brother Shadow are unique characters and the dynamic between them promises a lot of fun moments to come. This first issue sets up this beautiful world, along with exotic creatures and hints of danger looming in the shadows, and I look forward to seeing where the series goes next.
That cover is pure AI bs, shame on the “artist”