BORN OF BLOOD #2, from Merc Magazine on Kickstarter, begins Giaris’s training in the finer arts of manipulation when King Cleomenes is kidnapped in exchange for a land ransom.
The Details
- Written by: Dolan Waddick
- Art by: Carlos Beccaria
- Colors by: Sebastian Gonzalez
- Letters by: Joel Rodriguez
- Cover art by: Ruth Lucas (cover A)
- Cover price: $5.00 (pdf)
- Release date: August 31, 2022 (estimated)
Is It Good?
BORN OF BLOOD #2 continues Giaris’s development as a formidable warrior princess in service to her father and the people of Sparta. In this outing, Waddick and the crew take readers to Spicy Town as Giaris is instructed in the ways of manipulating men, and her lessons are definitely NSFW. We praised the first issue for its stellar art and Waddick’s take-no-prisoners approach to Giaris’s character development as a formidable warrior. This second issue keeps up the art and storytelling quality with plenty of blood and bones to keep Sparta fans happy.
The highlight of this issue is Waddick’s take on the “strong female character” trope in Giaris that actually presents her as a true “strong female character.” You could make the case that Giaris’s blossoming expertise with bladed weapons and sex makes her seem almost man-like, but that case would be incorrect. Giaris exemplifies a woman raised in warrior training who also realizes her feminine charms can be used as a powerful weapon, and we see that realization played out in this issue.
The minor down point in the issue is the lack of clarity surrounding Mor and King Cleomenes and what happens to them as a result of a land dispute. It’s not obvious who the players are, why they want the land, and the source of the King’s outrage over the demand. A little more exposition would have helped clarify the conflict.
Beccaria’s art is excellent in this issue. During the spicier scenes, Beccaria could have tilted too far toward gratuitous, but he handled them tastefully. The action is bloody and intense, the panel layouts are excellent, and Gonzalez’s coloring is meticulous.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our BORN OF BLOOD #1 review to find out how Giaris evolved into a formidable warrior.
We begin with Giaris, her brother Mor, and her father, King Cleomenes, fighting in a vicious battle. The Spartans ultimately win, but Giaris notices her father’s age is catching up to him. Later, the King informs Giaris that more training is needed, and she’s to report to her former tutor, Aurelia.
Later, Giaris arrives for Aurelia’s instruction, and she realizes the skills she will learn are best suited for the bedroom instead of the battlefield. Giaris accepts that the arts of seduction form the basis for manipulation, an important tool for victory when stealth and brute strength aren’t enough.
Meanwhile, King Cleomenes is enraged by a delegation of men who recently helped Giaris and Mor defeat the Argives. The delegates approached the King for a gift of land in exchange for information. The King throws the delegates out, but their negotiation isn’t over. We conclude the issue with a late-night visit, a demonstration of Giaris’s training, and a hint that not all deals are what they appear.
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Final Thoughts
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BORN OF BLOOD #2 is another hard-hitting issue from Merc Magazine, treating readers to plenty of action, blood, and sex to fuel your inner warrior. The plot, pacing, dialog, and narrative flow are solid, and the art is excellent. But for a few vagueries surrounding the King’s conflict, this would be a near-perfect comic.
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