BARBARELLA (VOL. 2) #1 – Review

BARBARELLA (VOL. 2) #1, available from Dynamite Comics on July 14th, 2021, re-introduces readers to the titular character… *ahem* …as an extraordinary envoy sent on a mission of peace to rescue slaves on a distant planet with the power of love.

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The Details

• Written By: Sarah Hoyt
• Art By: Madibek Musabekov
• Colors By: Ivan Nunes
• Letters By: Carlos M. Mangual
• Cover Art By: Lucio Parrillo (cover A)
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: July 14, 2021

Was It Good?

I liked this a lot.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going in as my strongest memory of Barbarella is from the same-titled film starring Jane Fonda (Barbarella (1968)). The film, itself based on the European comic of the same name was weird, wild, sexy, and psychedelic. It definitely plays the setup and the scenarios with a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor coupled with a sweet sincerity to make it a cult classic.

Here, there’s no tongue-in-cheek humor or wink/nods to the audience. Barbarella plays it completely straight as a diplomatic envoy who uses her feminine charms and unflappable belief in love to save lives without bloodshed whenever possible.

Although the humor is largely absent, the sincerity is not. You can feel Barabarella’s earnestness and grit in her determination to save lives, even when it means putting her own at risk. She’s projected with an air of dignity that instantly makes you respect this character and appreciate her efforts as much as everyone else around her does.

On top of the excellent character work, this story has a proper and well-done mystery. There are no obvious tip-offs about who or what is trying to get Barbarella killed or who is controlling the population of Camelot. The side characters are introduced in a way that makes them meaningful, the story follows a logical progression with good pacing, and there’s plenty of meat to the cliffhanger to make you wonder what will happen next.

As for the art, it’s some of the best work we’ve seen in a #1 issue in a very long time. In all honesty, this book is gorgeous from front to back, and we’re not just talking about the main character. The linework, the colors, the shading, the textures, and even the scenery is just plain beautiful. Truly, there was no rushing or skimping on the art and it is gorgeous.

Overall, these are engaging, captivating characters, the story is a crisp introduction to the players, the central conflict is a strong foundation for the mystery, and the art is phenomenal.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]

In the far reaches of space in the distant future, worlds are at war and tyrants wrestle for control of their respective corners in the galaxy. The Brotherhood of Tortuga is one of many groups fighting against slavery under despotic rule, but their fight comes at a bloody cost.

Victoire and Alexis are leaders in the Brotherhood who begin to realize the cost of freedom is growing too high, so they hire Barbarella as an envoy to secure freedom for the nearby colonies with her unique gifts for diplomacy.

Barbarella begins securing peace treaties with nearby colonies when her efforts are met with sabotage. Someone is tipping enemies off about her missions in hope of killing her before she succeeds.

Her latest mission takes her to Camelot, a planet populated by the wealthy, the powerful, and occasionally, the criminal. The mission was created in response to a distress call with an uncertain origin from Camelot. When Barbarella arrives, she finds the inhabitants acting strangely unresponsive to her charms. So the mystery begins.

Final Thoughts

BARBARELLA (VOL. 2) #1 is a sincere, engaging start to the next chapter in the Hero of Love’s legend. The writing is rock solid, and the art is exquisite.

Score: 10/10