BlueScar the Barbarian #3 – A Refreshingly Fun Romp for All Ages!
This article was originally published on August 23, 2022
Written by Thomas Salerno
Father and son creative duo Jamie and Tyler Cosley are on a mission to bring whimsical, family-friendly adventures back to comic books with their endearing all-ages series BlueScar the Barbarian. I reviewed the first two issues last year for Theophany Media, and I’m eager to share my thoughts on issue #3 for Brainy Pixel. Let’s jump right into the action, shall we?.
BlueScar’s latest outing retains everything I loved about the previous issues. The Cosleys have crafted a delightfully earnest tribute to classic ‘80s Saturday morning cartoons like Masters of the Universe and ThunderCats. Even a little bit of Star Wars is thrown in for good measure! Although the nostalgic vibes are obvious, BlueScar also reflects the tastes of modern kids. The uncluttered art style, frenetic pacing, and self-aware sense of humor are reminiscent of contemporary animation. I can easily envision BlueScar as a hit show on Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network.
Jamie and Tyler have definitely upped their game for this new issue! The panel layouts are more elaborate and varied, and I was pleased to note that the largely minimalist backgrounds of earlier issues have given way to dynamic and visually exciting environments, immersing the reader further into BlueScar’s quirky science-fantasy universe. The colors (courtesy of colorist Stephen Jenkins) pop right off the page! From fist panel to last, this comic is a joy to experience!
The Cosleys also address my criticism of the rather short length of the earlier adventures. This comic is a whopper! — A thirty-eight page adventure that will keep kids and adults alike entertained with non-stop action, intrigue, and humor.
Readers who are just jumping on with issue #3 need not fear missing out or being confused by the plot. BlueScar himself succinctly and humorously regales the audience with tales of his past adventures. That this particular monologue serves double-duty as a charming visual homage to the iconic Star Wars cantina scene is an added bonus!
The highlight of this issue is most certainly the introduction of a pair of fun and intriguing characters: Solomon Bounce and Nokie. Who exactly these guys are, and what they want, are mysteries that unfold throughout the issue, keeping the reader turning pages in eager anticipation of new revelations. Solomon and Nokie make a great comedic duo and have some surprising powers that provide ample opportunities for entertaining visual humor.
As for criticisms, I fortunately have very few to relate. Some readers may find the Star Wars references laid on a bit thick in this issue, but that didn’t bother me at all. I was disappointed by the absence of the villainous Krimm Zahnn. He doesn’t make an appearance until the final two panels, but from a story standpoint, that’s understandable. This issue was all about introducing Solomon and Nokie and paying off some mysteries that were established in the previous installments. I’m certain we’ll see plenty of Zahnn in the next adventure.
BlueScar the Barbarian’s greatest strength is that the Cosleys simply focus on telling a good story. No idea – no matter how zany or goofy – is off the table, making for a delightfully unpredictable reading experience. BlueScar brings up fond childhood memories of dreaming up superhero stories with my younger brother. Our imaginations brooked no limits; our stories abounded in all kinds of bombastic characters and off-the-wall adventures. In that sense, reading BlueScar was a wonderfully nostalgic experience for me. I can’t recommend this comic enough! If you love stories crammed with action and whimsy and you’re not reading BlueScar the Barbarian, you’re missing out!
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