Barbara the Barbarian Gets Solo Series from Amigo Comics

Bounding out of the pages of Amigo's ROGUES comes BARBARA THE BARBARIAN in this first issue, which tells the savage swordswoman's origin in flashbacks while putting her on the path to a new adventure -- with old traveling companions and old adversaries.

Accompanied by her fun-seeking partners, Blast and Clenk, Barbara sets out for a new city with plans to hide out and maintain a low profile. It's a pipe dream at best, given the impulsive nature of the two men. But it ends up being Barbara who blows their cover when she chances to encounter Hocker, a fence for stolen goods, leading to a chase that brings her back into confrontation with a trio of female warriors who she has bested in combat before.

In between the action we are made privy to Barbara's memories about her childhood, and how her mother let her train with the gladiators against the wishes of her misogynist father. And we see a subplot develop as a retired viking commander can no longer abide a life at home with a nagging wife, and sets out with his friends once more to pillage and plunder -- preferably as far away from the house as he can get.

Writer Jos and artist M.Diaz deliver a lighthearted tale of sword and... well, more swords (sorcery not yet having shown its sparkly head, if ever it will), in an adventure that will appeal to fans of David J. Pedersen's ANGST series and Terry Pratchett's DISCWORLD. The action keeps moving, the humor doesn't distract, and the artwork strikes just the right balance between cartoon and realism.