I’ve talked about books from most of the big names in indie publishing here. However, I’ve yet to discuss a book from a local independent studio. The Wailing Blade is a four-issue miniseries published by Comix Tribe in 2020. The story is written by Rich Douek and features artwork from Joe Mulvey. The story of Wailing Blade takes place in a fantasy realm ruled over by a dictator known as The Tyrant of Minturn.

The Tyrant’s most powerful servants are a group of executioners who each wield a great weapon of supernatural power. It’s hinted that these weapons came from another planet when the people of this world were once conquerors of the stars. Our major characters are a group of rebels known as the Wind Cleavers, led by Auros and his son Tychon. When Auros is captured by the enemy, Tychon takes it upon himself to see his father freed by taking the place of an executioner known as Headtaker, wielder of The Wailing Blade.

The premise of the story was certainly appealing to me along with the fantastic character designs of the executioners themselves. The Wailing Blade itself is iconic and instantly hooks your interest with its extreme concept. In terms of overall writing, this is pretty good. There is some great narration throughout which adds a lot of character to this brutal world crafted by Douek. A lot of background lore (and the overall story) is easy to pick up and follow. Although there are certainly a few areas I wish could have been expanded upon, the material is serviceable and ensures that the pacing remains steady from beginning to end.

In terms of characters, this story does miss some marks. The side characters are extremely forgettable and I wasn’t able to recall any of their names after finishing. I liked Tychon but felt as though I didn’t really connect with his motivations and his hatred of the Tyrant. This is due in part to the lack of time we spend within the world which doesn’t allow the reader time to witness the Tyrant’s cruelty firsthand. Instead, we are merely told about his deeds which is much less effective within a visual medium like comics.

The scene composition is also hit or miss for me. There are a few panels that are laid out beautifully with powerful shots. However, there are also many times when you can get lost. This is especially the case during action scenes as the way certain characters are placed draws your eye to the wrong places. Additionally, the dialogue can be weak in points with too many needless quips for my taste. I would have liked it if the artwork worked more heavily to convey certain aspects given the extreme visuals which guide the overall tone and style.

Generally though despite the flaws, I did enjoy the story. The universe and characters certainly have the potential to evolve further and the main storyline that is here is quite satisfying. You can read this tale as a standalone, but the potential for more storylines is teased. Given the expansive universe that is only just touched upon by this volume, I’m hoping more tales will come soon and I would encourage others to check the story out if you like fantasy comics.

Phenixx Gaming is everywhere you are. Follow us on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

Also, if you’d like to join the Phenixx Gaming team, check out our recruitment article for details on working with us.

Phenixx Gaming is proud to be a Humble Partner! Purchases made through our affiliate links support our writers and charity!

Wailing Blade

19.99

5.5

Score

5.5/10

Pros

• Cool Setting
• Executioners

Cons

• Action can be confusing
• Characters can be one note