[Review] — "BARBARIC" is a Gruesome Good Time! - Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the BARBARIC by Michael Moreci and Nathan Gooden (Illustrations), a "Blog Tour" hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About the Books

BARBARIC VOL. 1: MURDERABLE OFFENSES

Buy on Hardcover, Paperback, and Kindle.
Find it on Goodreads and Books2Read.

Owen the Barbarian is under a witches' curse to make amends for his murderous past. His bloodthirsty talking Axe is his moral compass. And he'll do whatever it takes to do good, even if it means cleaving a few skulls. Even if it means helping a witch.

OWEN THE BARBARIAN HAS AN AXE. AND HE'S GONNA DO GOOD WITH IT IF HE HAS TO KILL SOMEONE.

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.

Collects #1 to #3 of the multi-part series.

BARBARIC VOL. 2: AXE TO GRIND

Buy on Paperback and Kindle.
Find it on Goodreads and Books2Read.

As one of Entertainment Weekly’s “10 Best Comics of 2021,” Barbaric – featuring Owen the Barbarian and his bloodthirsty companion Axe – returns in a whirlwind of blood, humor, and mayhem with an evil demigod, vampires, and rampaging monsters!

Hailed as one of the best comics of 2021 by Entertainment Weekly, Thrillist, Screen Rant, and more, bestselling BARBARIC returns with its second explosive volume!

When a foe from Owen's past returns, he embarks on a bloody mission to succeed where he once failed and kill a malevolent demigod. Which suits Axe just fine, considering he hasn't gotten drunk on god blood yet! Meanwhile, Owen's former barbarian comrade, now a timid vampire, gets cold feet about a life of violence. But in the world of BARBARIC, where orcs, giant spiders, and devil bats roam the land, and doing good is full of gore, is there any other way?

For fans of BRZRKR!, The Witcher, Conan the Barbarian, Red Sonja, Heathen, Rat Queens, and Dungeons and Dragons!

Collects the second three-issue miniseries (Axe to Grind) and the special one-shot standalone (Harvest Blades)!

It’s just … BARBARIC!

From writer Michael Moreci (Wasted Space, The Plot, and Revealer) and artist Nathan C. Gooden (Brandon Sanderson's Dark One, The RUSH, Vampire: The Masquerade)!

Praise for BARBARIC

‘One of the “10 Best Comics of 2021…” Barbaric took only three issues to establish itself as a first-rate comic.’ - Entertainment Weekly

‘One of the “Best Comics of 2021…” It's a funny, gory, weird comic with stunning art in muted colors.’ – Thrillist

‘One of the “Best Comic Books and Graphic Novels of 2021…” the “excellent…violent, expletive-filled fantasy epic Barbaric never holds back… It’s bloody spectacular.”’ - Screen Rant

My Review

The first panel contains nudity, and I immediately concluded that this graphic novel is for adults. Then there is the gore, and there is a lot of it. My former teenage self, now nearly 42 years old, giggled with pure delight.

Yeah, the BARBARIC series is a gory good time that includes some surprising dark comedy. When I mention "comedy," I mean that there were instances when I laughed uncontrollably. Even if it might not be to everyone's taste, BARBARIC will appeal to those who enjoy swords and sorcery with lots of horrors.

Who in their right mind would have believed that Owen would be the name of a barbarian? Yet Owen, our protagonist, was cursed by three old witches, and they gave him the option of spending all of eternity in hell or being forced to assist those in need if he chose to come back to life. Guess which option Owen chose; as a result, he has become an anti-hero, cursed to save the world, and willing to kill anybody who stands in his way. Oh, and there's an evil, blood-hungry axe that can converse with him.

Overall, reading the first two volumes of BARBARIC was a blast. It's the ideal gruesome mayhem I didn't even realize I needed. The artwork is stunning, reminiscent of Frank Miller. BARBARIC is a cross between The Witcher and Conan the Barbarian, with one notable exception: it's humorous. —★★★★★

About Michael Moreci

Michael Moreci is a bestselling comics author, screenwriter, and novelist. His original comic works include The Plot, Curse, Barbaric, Wasted Space (all for VAULT COMICS), the upcoming Creepy the Snowman Middle-Grade graphic novel – with his two sons – for WONDERBOUND, Roche Limit, and more. He's also written canonical stories for Stranger Things, Star Wars, Hack/Slash, and the DC universe. Additionally, Moreci's first movie, Revealer, premiered in Fall 2021 and he's in pre-production on a second film.

Keep in touch on social:

About Nathan Gooden

An award-winning illustrator and sequential artist, Nathan C. Gooden is Art Director at Vault Comics. Nathan studied animation at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, and worked in film production, before co-founding Vault Comics. Nathan’s previous works include Brandon Sanderson’s Dark One (Vault), Barbaric (Vault), Zojaqan (Vault), and Killbox (from American Gothic Press). He lives in Southern California, where he plays a lot of basketball and hikes constantly with his wife.

Keep in touch on social:

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Giveaway Details

2 winners will receive finished copies of the BARBARIC series, US Only.

Ends June 6th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

Week One:

5/1/2023	Mythical Books	Excerpt/IG Post
5/2/2023	Reads by Radus	Excerpt/IG Post
5/3/2023	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt/IG Post
5/4/2023	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt/IG Post
5/5/2023	A Backwards Story	Excerpt

Week Two:

5/8/2023	@jlreadstoperpetuity	IG Review/TikTok Post
5/9/2023	Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer	Review/IG Post
5/10/2023	The Chirpy Bookaholic	Excerpt/IG Post
5/11/2023	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
5/12/2023	The Momma Spot	Excerpt

Week Three:

5/15/2023	@jael_and_jenessa_reads	Review/IG Post
5/16/2023	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post
5/17/2023	GryffindorBookishNerd	Review/IG Post
5/18/2023	@shangread_la	Review/IG Post
5/19/2023	Review Thick And Thin	Review/IG Post

Week Four:

5/22/2023	Crandom	Excerpt/IG Post
5/23/2023	OneMoreExclamation	Review/IG Post
5/24/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic
5/25/2023	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
5/26/2023	Two Points of Interest	Review