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Thursday 6 February 2020

Sword Daughter, Volume 1: She Brightly Burns Review (Brian Wood, Mack Chater)


Set in 10th century Norway, a girl tracks down her wayward dad who teaches her how to sword. Durrr hur hur, now I gets the title - she’s a Daughter who got a Sword! Together they’ll track down the Jason Voorhees-mask-wearing Vikings (really) what killed her momma!

Brian Wood made gold with his Vertigo Viking series Northlanders years ago and he’s been trying to reclaim those glory days ever since - and consistently failed. His Image series Black Road was dismal and, somehow, his new Dark Horse series Sword Daughter is even worse. This isn’t even B-side Northlanders, this is material that should’ve been binned immediately!

The characters are flat and totally unremarkable. The generic revenge story is completely uninteresting and one-note - girl and dad wander about, occasionally an “obstacle” will appear and will be dealt with instantaneously and effortlessly. Oh the excitement - can’t wait to see them face the baddies they’re after. Think they gonna sword them easily? Buuh, I fink so!!

Wood reunites with his Briggs Land artist Mack Chater who produces some bland-looking pages full of forgettable, indistinct art.

Sword Daughter, Volume 1: She Brightly Burns is duller than the dullest blade. If you’ve not already read it, check out Wood’s Northlanders series instead to see Viking comics done well.

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