REBEL MOON: HOUSE OF THE BLOODAXE #1, by Titan Comics on 1/10/23, begins the prequel series to Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon, recounting how Devra and Darrian became the most wanted terrorists in the galaxy.
The Details
- Written by: Zack Snyder, Magdalene Visaggio
- Art by: Clark Bint
- Colors by: Francesco Segala
- Letters by: AndWorld Design’s JAME
- Cover art by: Stanley “Artgerm” Lau
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: January 10, 2023
Is REBEL MOON: HOUSE OF THE BLOODAXE #1 Good?
Zack Snyder and Magdalene Visaggio’s vision of the past takes form and shape in REBEL MOON: HOUSE OF THE BLOODAXE #1, explaining how the Bloodaxe siblings became Enemy #1. If you haven’t watched Zack Snyder’s homage to Star Wars (1977) on Netflix, it’s not necessary, but it helps.
Snyder and Visaggio’s comic adaptation clues readers into the life of the Shasu as a Wildlands world under the watchful eye of the Motherworld and the Imperium. When Lord Yismael’s wife dies, his fragile hold on power comes into question, but his precarious position grows dangerous when word comes that the Motherworld’s Royal Family has been murdered, and the terrorists responsible are hiding among the Shasu.
If you’re familiar with Zack Snyder’s film of the same name, you might wonder where exactly this story fits in the timeline and how it enhances the film. Timeline-wise, this issue is a prequel set several years before the events of the film, right at the moment of the Royal Family’s assassination. Kora, the film’s protagonist, would still be a young girl. In terms of enhancement, that remains to be seen. The comic focuses on the Bloodaxe siblings, Devra and Darrian, who are barely in the film for more than a few minutes and have no direct relevance to Kora or her quest.
Imagine seeing Star Wars (1977) for the first time and Marvel releasing a tie-in comic focused on Porkins. Yeah, it’s an odd choice.
What’s great about REBEL MOON: HOUSE OF THE BLOODAXE #1? If you thoroughly enjoyed Zack Snyder’s film and have a desperate need to learn more about the Bloodaxe siblings, this comic is for you. To Snyder and Visaggio’s credit, the Shasu feels fleshed out and lived in, with a healthy sprinkling of tribal intrigue to heighten the tension from within before the shocking news of the Royal Family murders compounds the threat level to Lord Yismael.
What’s not so great about REBEL MOON: HOUSE OF THE BLOODAXE #1? This prequel series oddly focuses on one of the least present members of the Rebel Moon cast and goes even further by narrating the unfolding events primarily through Lord Yismael, Devra and Darrian’s father. In effect, you’re two supporting cast levels removed from the film, so you’d have to really dig Rebel Moon to find this issue interesting. If you’re not a Snyder film fan, there’s very little here to grab your attention because the focus is entirely on inconsequential characters.
How’s the art? Clark Bint’s art is very good. The character designs and costumes are distinctive, and Francesco Segala’s colors are excellent. That said, the panel backgrounds lack detail, and the characters’ faces are frequently misshapen.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s REBEL MOON: HOUSE OF THE BLOODAXE #1 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a brief flashback to Lord Yismael as a young man on a hunt for a wild beast of the plains. During his hunt, he crosses paths with a rival hunter, Amirami, who will eventually become his wife and mother to Devra and Darrian Bloodaxe.
Years later, Lord Yismael, Devra, and Darrian proceed on a funeral march to honor their mother in death. Tension among the Shasu people begins to rise when rival leaders recognize Yismael only held power as the descendant of offworlders because he married Amirami, a native. Now that Amirami is gone, Lord Yismael’s hold as leader is no longer secure.
We conclude the issue with a visit from the Motherworld forces with bad news, escalating danger, and the beginning of a new hunt.
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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REBEL MOON: HOUSE OF THE BLOODAXE #1 delves deep into the background players of Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon with a story focused on the Bloodaxe sibling’s family history. The story is generally okay, although it’s focused on players who have little relevance to the film, and the art is generally solid.
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