Sylv and Shadow are suspicious of their new employer and this adventure they hired them for. Find out what is happening in The Last Barbarians #2 by Image Comics!
THE LAST BARBARIANS #2
Writer: Brian Haberlin and Hannah Wall
Artist: Brian Haberlin
Colorist: Geirrod Van Dyke
Letterer: Francis Takenaga
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 15th, 2023
Previously in The Last Barbarians: Sylv and Shadow have struggled to find meaningful work. After upsetting an employer by breaking an artifact on the ground, she is blacklisted in her city. Sylv then meets Falk, who hires her for a unique and new job. With no other options and dwindling funds, she takes it.
The Last Barbarians #2 starts with Sylv getting motion sickness on the boat. But despite how she feels, she realizes that Falk’s story doesn’t add up. Their mission is to save a boy from captivity, but Falk can’t keep the story straight. Sometimes the kid is a grandson, and sometimes a nephew, but it is clear that Falk doesn’t have the emotional connection he claims. When they arrive at the City of Antiquarius, the team grabs a meal, and Falk reveals that the boy is in the castle. As Sylv questions her place on this team, they see the kid being transported and other bounty hunters attacking the guards.
In the chaos, Shadow grabs the kid and runs. However, the boy casts a spell that heals Shadow for a moment of his mental disability. With his returned focus, he knocks down a support beam that blocks off his pursuers. Unfortunately, as they camp outside the city, the bounty hunters can catch up.
There are many fun and exciting ideas in The Last Barbarians #2. Watching them explore the magic shop and engage amongst themselves was incredibly engaging. However, this interlaced monologue of Sylv herself enforces the characterization of the first issue. Something about Sylv is relatable to me. She is constantly trying to figure things out, has big dreams, and is also willing to ditch the mission if it means saving her brother and maybe herself. Watching her navigate themes of war, deception, and intrigue engages me more than anything else.
However, I was off-put by some of the art. On the one hand, we have beautiful drawings of people. Still, we have had a stark style change in architecture and monster design several times. It almost feels like an odd computer 3D rendering intermixed with a more traditional comic art style. It distracted me from the nuanced plot every once in a while.
After two issues, I am invested in this title. The Last Barbarians #2 does a great job of continuing the momentum from the first issue. I can’t wait to see what the creative team throws at Sylv and Shadow in future issues. 3.5 out of 5 stars for The Last Barbarians #2 by Image Comics.
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The Last Barbarians #2
The Last Barbarians #2 continues the momentum of the previous issue by having an excellent characterization of its main characters.
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Christopher Rondeau is a storyteller based in Tulsa, OK. Finding himself with little work, he ended up creating a job as a Game Master full time on the internet. Chris spends most of his days reading everything he can, writing bad fiction, and watching old Digimon cartoons with his daughter. Sometimes you can find him Dungeon Mastering a podcast or streaming on twitch. Recently, he has completed his Master's degree with a focus on collaborative storytelling. Find out more at https://rondeaucreator.com