Hawkmoon: The Battle of the Kamarg Review

 

Hawkmoon: The Battle of the Kamarg Review

Story: Michael Moorcock

Writer: Jérôme Le Gris

Artists: Benoît Dellac & Didier Poli

Colorist: Bruno Tatti

Letterer: Lauren Bowes

Translator: Marc Bourbon-Crook

Assistant: Angélina Rodrigues

Editor: Ibraheem Kazi

Designer: Oz Browne

Publisher: Titan Comics

Hardcover Price: $19.99

Release Date: March 17, 2026

 

Baron Meliadus doesn't fight fair. But then, he can't afford to. He wants to retain his position in the Granbretan Empire at any cost. Count Brass could ensure Meliadus' future. But after a life spent propping up weak leaders and tearing down kingdoms, the weary soldier wants to care for his beautiful and serene province.

 

So, the Baron hatches a plan. Dorian Hawkmoon, the former Duke of Köln, will be his tool to secure the Count's agreement to become Meliadus' military advisor. But will Dorian Hawkmoon play along? And if Dorian resists, will the enchanted stone in his forehead destroy the man who lost his family and his country to Baron Meliadus? Let’s grab our swords, leap into Hawkmoon: The Battle of the Kamarg, and see!

 

Story

When Lieutenant Von Villach brings Count Brass to inspect their uninvited guest, the ruler of this final outpost of freedom asks Hawkmoon about his family. After Baron Meliadus’ attempted abduction of Yisselda, Count Brass refuses to accept foreign visitors at face value. Still, Von Villach worries when Count Brass dismisses the guards.

 

Count Brass does not welcome the news of Lyon's recent downfall. Nor does he dismiss his advisors' warnings about the Granbretan Empire's Human Rights violations. Unifying their divided world cannot justify nearly losing Yisselda and Lyon's destruction. And then there is the Black Jewel fixed upon Dorian Hawkmoon's forehead, another symbol of the Empire's ruthlessness.

 

Jérôme Le Gris’ adaptation of Michael Moorcock’s novel takes place in a distant future. Nuclear war has destroyed all the old nations of Earth. Smaller principalities squabble over resources. All the accumulated knowledge of the old world has passed away. And as science rises again, so does magic.

 

Few people understand the forces that rule their world. So as Count Brass prepares for war with the Granbretan Empire, Councilor Bowgentle devotes his limited knowledge of Magience to grant Hawkmoon a reprieve from Kalan's control. Count Brass needs to ensure that Kalan, Baron Meliadus, and King-Emperor Huon cannot monitor events via the Black Jewel. But unless Hawkmoon can find someone better schooled in Magience, the former Duke of Köln will lose his mind and suffer an agonizing death in Hawkmoon: The Battle of the Kamarg.

 

Art

Giant flamingoes soar over a majestic city arising from the surrounding wetlands. As the camera descends through towers, pillars, and elevated walkways, soldiers surround Dorian Hawkmoon on a circular platform over a pool. The deposed Duke, hands bound behind him, kneels before Count Brass and his advisors. From a landing, Yisselda gazes down past the immense statues as soldiers in sculpted plate armor guard Hawkmoon with spears.

 

Benoît Dellac and Didier Poli’s detailed art conveys the historic grandeur that Count Brass strives to protect. The Count’s advisors and daughter wear sturdy clothing that would serve them well in battle as they dine. Count Brass, Yisselda, Hawkmoon, and the Baron's advisors regard each other with guarded expressions in the sweeping, open-air dining room. Later, Hawkmoon and Yisselda stand atop the palace, looking out over the city and surrounding moors. Small moments—Yisselda and Hawkmoon’s gazes, their hands placed near each other but not touching—bespeak their frustration over being tools in Baron Meliadus’ schemes, and perhaps something more.

 

Surrounded by the blue-and-green wetlands, Bruno Tatti applies a restrained palette of greens, reds, browns, and golds on Count Brass’s stronghold. After suffering torture in Baran Kalan’s dark tower, Hawkmoon braves the black columns and monochromatic stone tiles dominating Bowgentle’s laboratory. The black stone glows purple when Bowgentle tinkers with forces he doesn’t completely understand. And in a vision, gold runes shine on a dark staff.

 

Beige parchment banners denote time and space, while black uppercase letters in white balloons and boxes portray dialogue. The words grow bold with intonation, swell for raised voices, and shrink for lowered voices. The balloon arrows often arc like lightning, while sound effects heighten the conflict threatening Count Brass’s redoubt of peace. Thanks to Titan Comics for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

In Jérôme Le Gris’ adaptation of Michael Moorcock’s novel, Count Brass realizes Baron Meliadus no longer seeks his advice and leadership. As the ruler of the Kamarg prepares the city of Aigues-Mortes for war, the Count mobilizes his forces, hoping to hold off his overwhelming enemy. Yet while King-Emperor Huon mobilizes a fleet of ornithopters, Councilor Bowgentle utilizes the machinery of a past age to defend their tiny principality in Hawkmoon: The Battle of the Kamarg.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Hawkmoon: The Battle of the Kamarg. 

 

For how this series began, see my review of Hawkmoon: The Black Jewel.