THE LAST BARBARIANS #1/ Words by BRIAN HABERLIN With HANNAH WALL/ Art by BRIAN HABERLIN/ Colors by GEIRROD VAN DYKE/ Letters by FRANCIS TAKENAGA/ Flats by T.R. BRIAR/ Production by HANNA WALL & MATT HANSEL/ Published by IMAGE COMICS

The Great Guilds rule all and by the decree of the Guilds all must specialize in a single trade or be branded as a classless outlaw. This is bad news for Sylv, a jack of all trades and master of none, who can fight, heal, do a bit of magic and steal, but not quite well enough to qualify for membership among the Mages, Healers, Mercenaries or Thieves. Throw in the fact that she has an addle-brained brother who doesn’t know his own strength to look after and it’s almost enough to make a girl consider a job in the brothels. Almost.

Thankfully, Sylv has one last chance left. There’s a cleric seeking adventurers who doesn’t want the attention of the Guilds. It is sketchy as all get out, but Sylv is out of options, good or bad. This leads Sylv on the road to adventure and a mission that will test all of her assorted skills.

The Last Barbarians somehow slid under my radar, despite my general interest in fantasy as a genre. I picked it up expecting sword-and-sorcery, ala Robert E. Howard. Instead, I found a charming and spirited story which reads like a Tamora Pierce novel aimed at an older audience.

Brian Haberlin immediately develops Sylv into a sympathetic protagonist, whose cleverness is not in doubt. Her ability to control her temper and her urge to excel in everything are. It is also amusing to me, as a habitual roleplayer, how the story examines the consequences of a society like that presented in many game worlds, where everything about your life is defined by your class. Haberlin’s artwork is as lively as his dialogue, though the colors by Geirrod Van Dyke are oddly muted, though this does capture the banality of the setting and the static nature of the guild-run city.

The Last Barbarian is sure to excite fantasy fans looking for something unique. It may also appeal to gamers who enjoy comedic send-ups of the usual sword and sorcery clichés.