I had to Google and try to find somebody else like you that shared this opinion. First issue is pretty hard to make it through with the unnecessary and constant swearing. Like you said it has cool artwork and great coloring but unfortunately it's ruined by the really shallow modern day dialogue that is anything but immersive. And I really would have liked to have kept reading this too. The writing doesn't even need to be intelligent. Hard to mess up a sword and sorcery but they did.
Barbaric #1
| Writer | Michael Moreci |
| Artist | Nathan Gooden |
| 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.
CRITIC REVIEWS
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10
COMICON - Olly MacNamee
Mar 25, 2021Barbaric #1 from Vault Comics, writer Michael Moreci and Nathan Gooden is a great new comic that parodies the sword and sorcery genre as savagely as Conan cracks skulls and a great first issue. A new twist on a well-worn genre, but done with affection and a knowing wink to the readership. Read Full Review
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10
Kabooooom - Matt Morrison
Jun 28, 2021Barbaric #1 is the best new comic of 2021 and a must-read for all fans of fantasy and action comics. Even if you do not fancy yourself a fan of those comics where wild warriors in impractical armor run amok, there is much in this series and its defiance of genre expectations to win you over. For the rest of us, there's a sarcastic talking axe who literally thirst for blood and gets drunk on it. Truly a comic with something for everybody! Read Full Review
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10
Lotusland Comics - Hank Rea
Jun 29, 2021Our early look at 'Barbaric' made it clear it was one of 2021's best new series. The hype as they say is real. This stunning debut blends adventurous fun fantasy elements with artistry that elevates it to the top of the medium. 'Barbaric' is irresistibly fun. This will be your new comic book obsession. Read Full Review
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10
Comics Bookcase - Zack Quaintance
Jun 29, 2021The best new #1 comic of the year so far, Barbaric #1 is a perfect debut issue, a subversive romp with a hilarious and entertaining concept put on top layers of relatable conflict and philosophy. Dont miss this book. Read Full Review
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10
Caffeinated Critique - James Stone
Jun 30, 2021To describe this comic I would say Gladiator meets Witcher meets Venom on a Game of Thrones scale. The story is layered and very intriguing while the main character has a troubled soul while surrounded in mystery and he has a talking, blood drunk axe who is hilarious. I urge people not to sleep on this comic, If you like action, fantasy and graphic comics then you will like this. Read Full Review
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10
Graphic Policy - Brett
Jun 30, 2021Barabric #1 is a hell of a start that sets things up nicely. By the end, we know the mission, we know the tone, and we know "the rules". There's an underlying intelligence in all of that's unexpected and makes this stand out. This is a comic for people looking for something a little smarter than your average hack and slash. Read Full Review
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10
Big Comic Page - Craig Neilson-Adams
Jul 01, 2021It's always great to see a comic living up to its impressive hype, but in all honesty, I think BARBARIC may have actually exceeded it. From the legitimate belly laugh on page five to the air-punching violence throughout to the the eyebrow-raising final page, this is a perfect example of exactly why I read comics. To be entertained. And if entertainment is what you're after, I really can't recommend this series highly enough. Read Full Review
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9.8
Multiversity Comics - Kobi Bordoley
Jul 02, 2021Furious and funny, this story is pulpy yet epic, grizzled yet jovial, and we just don't want more. Read Full Review
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9.5
AIPT - Nathan Simmons
Jun 30, 2021'Barbaric' is full of bloody, balls-to-the-wall action and a surprising level of character development. This first issue both embraces and deconstructs sword and sorcery stories in a way that may surprise you. Read Full Review
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9.0
ComicBook.com - Chase Magnett
Jun 30, 2021Thankfully, Barbaric #1, from writer Michael Moreci and artist Nathan Gooden at publisher Vault Comics, recognizes that repeating the past is a surefire recipe for mediocrity and provides the first exciting new sword & sorcery series to hit comic book stores in many years. Read Full Review
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9.0
Major Spoilers - Robert Mammone
Jul 03, 2021The opening salvo in Barbaric #1 is brutal, amusing and exciting. It is unabashedly designed to appeal to the most basic instincts of the reader - ribald humor, naked flesh, astounding violence and just a keen awareness that the issue exists to ensure the reader has a heck of a good time. If you're not all in on Barbaric #1, you're missing out! Read Full Review
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9.0
The Fandom Post - Chris Beveridge
Jul 07, 2021I flat out love Barbaric. I almost want to say we get too much material in this issue but it's designed to lay out the basics and get us on our journey - and I think it does it without the need for future flashbacks to expand on it more. We'll need to know the witches intent in doing this to Owen but that can all come from going forward and I'm hopeful that's the path so we can simply join Owen on his journey. And I really hope Moreci has a lot planned for this because Owen is a really great character from the get-go, as is his axe, and our first blush look at the new witch at the end is going to raise interest all the more. It's a great read with fantastic artwork that has me excited for this in a huge way. Read Full Review
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8.5
Graphic Policy - Josh Rathbun
Jul 03, 2021I normally recommend the D&D books that IDW Publishing puts out but this might be the new book to recommend to people who are looking for something different and enjoyable. Barbaric #1 totally lives up to its name (but in a good way) and delivers the bloody ass-kickings youd want from a hard-R fantasy story. A man and his talking axe make for a fine story. Personally, I'd buy this issue and continue on from there. Read Full Review
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7.8
Comic Watch - Matt Meyer
Jul 03, 2021Barbaric isn't a comic for everyone due to its over-the-top violence, but it's definitely a worthwhile read for those who have the stomach for it - or just like strong satire. Don't be shy, check it out now at your local comic store! Read Full Review
USER REVIEWS
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10
Just picked it up cause it looked cool and it was so much more then that. The writing, the art, the panels and the action are all great. The dialogue is what you want from a title like this. Cynical, with some wit and humor to it, a great romp of a story and I'm excited to see where it goes from here.
+ Like • Comment• Likes (1) -
10
Funnier and more interesting version of Conan the Barbarian.
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10
Perfect first issue for me. Great art, fun dialogue, hooked for #2.
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9.5
great humor, great story. highly recommend!
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8.5
Barbaric (2021) by Michael Moreci and Nathan Gooden (Vault) I first took notice of this book when Wes from Thinking Critical rated it "Best Indie Comic of 2021". This past week Don from Heroes & Villains in Warner Robins, GA said it was his favorite book right now so I picked it up. I noticed Barbaric received a 4.1 on Goodreads, 4.6 on Amazon, and 9.2 Critic Rating on Comic Book Round Up. I really enjoyed this book. The art was strong and reminded me of Once & Future. I can see why so many people enjoy both the tone of the story and the characters. The book doesn't take itself too seriously which makes it easy to get into, enjoy, and get behind.
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8.0
Just fun
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8.0
I was very entertained by this book; I will be interested to see where it goes.....
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5.0
Swearing is big and clever! Oh dear. This has some nice art, and the colour work is good too, but the writing leaves a lot to be desired. I have no moral objection to swearing, but it is superfluous in the dialogue here. In fact, the dialogue is pretty atrocious even without all the profanity. There is possibly a story worth reading, but on the basis of this issue, it seems to be aiming squarely for the lowest common denominator: swearing; violence; tits! What more could the average idiot want?
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2025 In Review:
