Barbarian Lord by Matt Smith (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Barbarian Lord by Matt Smith April Spisak Smith, Matt Barbarian Lord; written and illus. by Matt Smith. Clarion, 2014 176p ISBN 978-0-547-85906-4 $17.99 R Gr. 6-8 In this action-packed graphic novel that blends Nordic and Viking lore with fantasy references and a solid dose of sly humor, the Barbarian Lord wants what is his and will stop at nothing to get it. Barbarian Lord (don’t try to call him anything else) just wants his land and his honor back, and he’ll staunchly face monsters, ghosts, poets, and whoever else decides to stand between him and this goal. In this case it’s Skullmaster, and Skullmaster’s allies work mightily to stop Barbarian Lord with varying degrees of success; their snarky jabs at one another as their efforts continue to be unsuccessful are funny even to an outsider, but they will be highly amusing to those well versed in Viking traditions or Dungeons and Dragons–type scenarios. The black and white illustrations reflect the text, showing Barbarian Lord as a mostly expressionless rock of a man who moves from panel to panel with the flat determination referenced in the story. Comic book–style fighting sound effects and quick changes between panels to suggest long engagements emphasize the frequent battles. An author’s note all but admits that even readers who know the key topics may not be quite as far down the rabbit hole as the author himself, who enthusiastically references He-Man, Tolkien, Norse mythology, and skaldic poetry all in, essentially, one breath. It’s to his credit that this is still an accessible, memorable thrill of a graphic novel, even if you are a novice at all of the above. Copyright © 2014 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois