Vault Comics has announced Barbaric, the story of a barbarian named Owen and his “sentient, blood-drunk” axe.
It’s written by Michael Moreci, with art by Nathan Gooden and colors by Addison Duke. Jim Campbell will letter the comic, and Tim Daniel serves as designer.
“Barbaric, to me, is a series that wraps both its arms around the comics medium–it’s big, from the get-go, in ways only comics can be,” Moreci said. “I want this to be a huge story that continues on the way Hellboy does, and I want it to feel like that kind of epic. It’s my ode to pulp adventures, and immersive world-building, and larger-than-life characters. I feel so energized writing it, and I hope, between my scripts and Nate’s insanely amazing art, that energy comes off of every page.”
Here’s how Vault describes it: Barbaric follows Owen the Barbarian who 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.
“2020 was a very difficult year for me and my family; as it was for everyone around the world,” Gooden said. “Barbaric was my escape. I got to work with one of my genuine friends in the industry and make a book that is just , dare I say, fun. There is humor, there is action, there is tons of adventure, but most importantly, there is heart. Come enjoy the ride as we continue to grow these characters across a fantastic landscape.”
Gooden and Daniel also provide the variant cover for the first issue, which pays homage to Barry Windsor-Smith’s cover for Conan The Barbarian #1:
Check out a preview of some of the interior pages below. The first issue arrives in June.
