BARBARIC: WRONG KIND OF RIGHTEOUS / Script by NICHOLAS EAMES & MICHAEL MORECI / Art by NATHAN GOODEN/ Colors by ADDISON DUKE/ Letters by JIM CAMPBELL / Published by VAULT COMICS

2023 has been a good year for sword and sorcery. Beyond the return of Conan the Barbarian at Titan Comics and two new Red Sonja series, there has been much to enjoy. Yet I feel a special bit of joy whenever there is a new issue of Barbaric. For while I love Conan and Sonja, Barbaric is as funny as it is thrilling.

This new one-shot, Wrong Kind of Righteous, is notable for featuring Nicholas Eames as a co-writer. Eames is well known for his comedic fantasy novels, which were reportedly a major inspiration for the Barbaric series. He proves an apt partner for Michael Moreci, spinning a tale of the barbarian Owen and his sentient axe Axe encountering a paladin with a similarly animated flail called Flail. It is a rousing tale, full of righteous anger, bloody violence, and well-done burgers! (With and without pickles!)

The artwork by Nathan Gooden and Addison Duke continues to astound. The colors are vibrant, with amusing character designs and vivid details in the artwork itself. This is a wonderful comic where the story and the illustrations work together perfectly.

The best part about this issue, however, is how easily accessible it is to newcomers. You don’t need any previous experience with the Barbaric series to appreciate this story. If you have enjoyed the Barbaric comics before, however, get ready for more of the same awesome action and art!

Barbaric: Wrong Sort of Righteous releases on November 29, 2023.