Image Comics presents the Luna Brothers’ The Sword #12 (read the GEN interview)—and we have the review right here.
The Sword #12
Story: Joshua Luna
Art and Cover: Jonathan Luna
Synopsis: What happens when a human attempts to kill a god? Dara’s battle with Zakros comes to an end.
Review: First off, thanks to Image Comics for sending us an advanced copy of The Sword! From now on you can expect to see more Image coverage here on GEN, so hold onto your socks and prepare your comic book fan selves for a regular dose of creator-owned comics. W00t! 
Ahem … on to the review!
Holy CRAP.
I feel like our lovely protagonist Dara when she first learned she could leap ridiculously high and far by using the Sword—or more so, like the hilariously stupified crowd who watched her leap over a Cost-Mart (hehe) back in issue four.
Yeah, this issue was GOOD. But let me back up a little.
Last time we saw Dara and the water god Zakros duke it out on a tidal-sized level—literally. The Luna brothers are masters of great cliff hangers, and although I won’t spoil the ending in case you haven’t read #11, the comic’s conclusion was highly ironic. And, of course, freaking awesome.
And in this issue, not only do Dara and Zakros finish what they started, but Zakros totally gets pwned. 
Okay, so I just had to say that. But what’s really great about this issue is the flashbacks that are incorporated into the battle. We get relevant glimpses from both Dara’s and Zakro’s pasts, and each transitions perfectly in the story—allowing the reader to not only understand what’s going on in the heads of these two characters, but to more deeply gauge what they’re fighting for. This method that Joshua and Jonathan laced into the issue works very well in the comic medium; overall, this comic rocks!
Once again the art and writing are fantastic—giant fists of ice and dismemberment, yesss—and we’re left with yet another enticing little cliffhanger. Nicely done. I absolutely can’t wait to read the next issue!
If you’re new to The Sword and you want to get caught up, I highly recommend picking up the first volume (”Fire”)—and the second volume, “Water,” releases December 31.
This issue of The Sword comes out Wednesday. Look for it!
October 28th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Ugh! I have the issue and want to read it…but not untill I pick up the trades and catch up! December needs to hurry up!