BORN OF BLOOD #4, from Merc Magazine, follows Giaris and Leonidas after they escape Syalla’s tortuous imprisonment. Can they survive precarious mountain trails, savage wilderness creatures, and treacherous assassins to return to Sparta?
The Details
- Written by: Dolan Waddick
- Art by: Carlos Beccaria
- Colors by: Sebastian Gonzalez
- Letters by: Joel Rodriguez
- Cover art by: Narcelio Sousa (cover D)
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: Available now
Is It Good?
Dolan Widdick has another killer issue on his hands with BORN OF BLOOD #4. Rarely has a comic, which is effectively a montage issue, accomplished so much plot development in such a short number of pages. In effect, you get your money’s worth and more.
When last we left Giaris and Leonidas, they barely managed to escape Syalla’s torture chamber. Now, the duo must fight against enemy soldiers, the elements, and Syalla to survive.
Dolan Waddick’s script squarely centers on high-energy pacing and action from start to finish. From the first page, Giaris and Leonidas are in fight-or-flight mode, opting for both when necessary. The fighting action is raw, gritty, and bloody, the sparse dialog gets right to the point, and the plot moves like a roaring river. Everything about this issue is designed to get your adrenaline up, and on that count, it succeeds.
The art from Beccaria and Gonzalez is well above-average for a small, independent publisher. Baccaria’s background details are especially impressive, the line work is solid, and Gonzalez’s coloring work is top-notch. That said, Beccaria’s figure proportions could be a little more consistent (they’re not, and it’s noticeable), but the inconsistency isn’t enough to be off-putting.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our BORN OF BLOOD #3 review to find out how LeonidasandGiaris were captured in the first place.
We begin mid-cliffhanger from the previous issue. Leonidas fell off a cliff, and Giaris barely manages to lend a hand before the King loses his grip. With a rush of strength, both Spartans work their way up to the ledge for safety.
Suddenly, enemy soldiers round the bend. Leonidas holds the soldiers off while Giaris heads back into the cave to free the tortured captives. Before Giaris can break the captives’ bonds, Syalla emerges from the shadows and stabs Giaris in the shoulder.
We conclude the issue with a one-on-one fight to the death, a special helmet, and the traitor’s identity revealed.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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BORN OF BLOOD #4 is a pedal-to-the-metal action comic with gritty fights and high-octane pacing. If you’re into sword-and-sandal adventure, it doesn’t get much better than this.
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