Something resembling respite.
Creative Staff:
Story: Brian Wood
Art: Mack Chater
Colors: Jose Villarrubia
Letterer: Nate Piekos of Blambot
What They Say:
On the run from the Forty Swords, Dag and Elsbeth fall back to the wilds of Northern Europe and shelter with a secretive group of mountain warriors. Elsbeth learns the history of the sword she carries, and we get a glimpse at the woman she’s destined to become.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
With a few months between issues, Sword Daughter takes a little bit to get back into and reconnect with. The series has worked in broad strokes so far with what it needs to do and that can make a gap more problematic. Brian Wood continues to craft well with what he’s doing here and I’m thoroughly enjoying the journey of our lead and her father through it. Mack Chater also continues to put together some gorgeous if bleak pages that fit the area well, though this time around Jose Villarrubia has joined in the coloring department. It’s still largely the same overall aesthetic and that’s important as it’s a distinctive bleakness in the colors.
Dag and Elsbeth have been busy since we last saw them as several more members of the Forty Swords have been dealt with by them. Dag’s narration over it is well-done as we see how he views it as a kindness compared to how they destroyed his village and people, his wife, and his life because of it. But that won’t spare them from death. Their journey has also earned them quite a reputation as Dag talks of it feeling like half a nation is chasing after them. And with the winter coming they’re now seeking both shelter and safe space in order to ride out the season so they can begin again in the spring. That’s presented well in how they hide on a ship for safe passage and the negotiations that go on to try and get a place as there’s quite the bounty on them by the Forty Swords.
There’s some really good stuff here in how Dag is doing his best to prepare Elsbeth for what’s to come, especially if he’s not going to be there at some point, but he also can’t help but to wield her like a tool in his quest for revenge. But he’s not so uncaring as to not ensure she can get forward without him, which plays out in a disturbing way here as we see her close to the place of safety but unable to use the words to get there. It plays well in contrast to the future version of her that we’re following as well in seeing her being at least a little more vocal but far more disciplined and dangerous in how she carries herself. The father/daughter dynamic is really the main draw here for me though and seeing the time between the two as they hunt for safety is damn engaging to watch.
In Summary:
While Sword Daughter suffers a bit due to the gap between issues there’s a whole lot to like here. Brian Wood is crafting a strong tale of father and daughter and their journey of revenge while giving us a good feeling of the time period and its people. Mack Chater has been a favorite of mine for some time now and I love the work he’s putting in here with a great looking issue in capturing the bleakness in a lot of what’s going on. It’s a grim book but one that finds the right small ways to give us a little lightness and levity while still driving forward that larger story of revenge. I can’t wait for more.
Grade: B+
Age Rating: 15+
Released By: Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: December 5th, 2018
MSRP: $4.99
