Writer: Garth Ennis
Artist: Jacen Burrows
Colorist: Andy Troy
Logo, Production & Letterer: Rob Steen
Cover Artists: Jacen Burrows & Andy Troy; John McCrea & Mike Spicer
Editor: Tom Peyer
Publisher: Ahoy Comics
Price: $4.99
Release Date: January 14, 2026
The city-state of Matazak is abuzz as spectators fill the arena. The announcer welcomes Emperor Gabbagool the Ninth’s subjects and promises them a rousing spectacle. As people fill the stands, purchase refreshments, and place their bets with the bookies, they watch as a newcomer enters the arena. Who is Babs? And can she defeat Yorikk the Ginger? Let’s leap into Babs: The Black Road South #1 and see!
Story
Yorikk may have earned a fearsome reputation in Matazak. But this battle is personal for Babs. Like Steven Tyler, her childhood nurse taught Babs that getting even was better than getting mad. So, when she enters the arena, Babs takes out her childhood disappointment on Yorikk.
Babs: The Black Road South #1 introduces Babs and her friend Izzy. Despite the protestations of Babs’ talking sword, the girls make a killing and enjoy a mad night on the town. Garth Ennis imbues his medieval fantasy world with modern appeal as the girls check into the Tyrannical Suite and start their pub crawl at Pale Elric's. But trouble finds them when they make plans in their inebriated state.
This debut installment features cultural references and pays homage to literature, comics, and cinematic fantasy. The dialogue may be saltier than the sea-elves serving aboard the good ship Marillion, but the hijinks are all in good fun. Still, Babs and Izzy would do well to listen to Barry, even if the talking sword wants to curtail their frivolity. But as they don't, Babs must face her fears in Babs: The Black Road South #1.
Art
The announcer wears Shakespearian attire as he speaks into a branched brass horn, while Babs dons armor before spilling blood. The Human, Elven, and fantasy-race spectators watch from their concrete benches. Izzy stands with the bookies as they take bets and track the odds on their whiteboards.
Andy Troy lavishes a loaded palette on Jacen Burrows’ detailed art in Babs: The Black Road South #1. After their day at the arena, Babs and Izzy visit the Ryvendale Loriental, a multistory hotel adorned with Ionic pillars and Gothic windows. They check in with the receptionist in a grand lobby. Then they enter a suite filled with bearskin bed comforters, a chaise lounge, a freestanding wine rack, a scalloped bathtub, and a stuffed dragon head above the brick fireplace.
Rob Steen aids the bikini-armored barbarian and the Zula-like Izzy with black uppercase dialogue in white balloons. The letters grow bold for intonation and swell for raised voices. Dialogue balloons sprout spikes when the girls belt out their favorite song via fish preserved on wooden sticks. Barry's quillons gesture as he speaks or covers his gleaming gem when his owner's antics overwhelm him. Giant black words outlined with white rise above the tables as Babs and Izzy wow their fellow drinkers.
Bonus Features:
In "Here Today, Scone Tomorrow," Mallory tackles the pros and cons of gentrification. "A Trail in a Timeline" by Byron Ackerman ponders the seemingly innocuous acts that determine our future. While Joe Orsak contributes a black-and-white illustration for the first chapter of a potential crime saga, Rick Geary’s drawing evokes the moment when the 14th Doctor got a second chance at life. The Editor's Notes page contains poems from a writer compared with Taylor Swift and Kanye West, and the author who sought the Prince Regent's patronage in Black Adder the Third. Thanks to Ahoy Comics and Superfan Promotions for providing a review copy.
Final Thoughts
It's not easy to plan your future when you're a freebooting barbarian. Still, Babs and Izzy are up for anything. But like anyone making a big purchase, the wild warrior women battle buyers’ remorse in Babs: The Black Road South #1.
Rating 9.4/10
To look inside see my preview of Babs: The Black Road South #1.
