Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Highlander: Way of the Sword #1 of 4
Dynamite Comics
Krul, Rafael, Lopez & Bowland
Now this issue is what I expect from this series. We have some of the inner thoughts of Connor, we have action, we have a flashback, we have witty dialog, we have immortal history, immortal storytelling, we have villains, allies and some potential twists. I gladly read through this issue and am eagerly waiting for the next one.
We begin the issue with a flashback to the English French War in 1804 on the high seas. Connor is fighting for the British. We get on the very first page some information about immortals, the gathering, the prize and even about where Connor came from. This was information that the previous twelve issues failed time and again to provide. We immediately get introduced to the Kurgan, who is on the same ship.
After a good fight scene, Connor elects to save the life of a mortal, instead of taking Kurgan’s head. In the process, the Kurgan ends up on the bottom of the ocean, with Connor’s sword. We get the point of the entire four issue series put before us in the first few pages. I call this plot advancement. Another item I failed to see in previous arcs.
We move to the 1960s in London, where Connor and his friend Ian meet up to discuss the possibility that an auction may be out there of interest to Connor with regards to the missing sword. They head to Paris where Connor finds another immortal, Guerin. This issue actually introduces characters unlike some of the previous arcs.
After some more twists, Connor and Ian are left in the cold about the auction and split up for the night. Connor finds a woman who is more than willing to discuss the secret auction, but over dinner. Connor, always the charmer. This woman, Elizabeth, seems to have something up her sleeve as well and Connor senses it.
Connor returns to his hotel to find his friend Ian dead and Guerin waiting for him nearby. They battle and just when it looks like Connor is going to take his head, Guerin reminds him they are on holy ground. Holy ground is a no-no for fighting, as this issue actually takes the time to explain. At this point, Elizabeth pops in to tell them they are at the secret auction.
Wow. What a difference an issue makes.
The art is up to par with the other issues. The battles are good and the sequences are easy to follow.
The real bonus is the information given to the reader. We know who is in the issue, the rules, the reasons for what they are doing. The whole issue went quickly as a result and I actually want to see what happens next.
The only improvements I would have liked to see was a little more background from either Kurgan or Guerin. I like to get to know the villains a little more. I would have been happy to hear why Kurgan was on the boat. Something along those lines would have been great. One other thing I would have liked would have been more information about why the sword was so important. I can guess why, but I would have liked to see more emotion from Connor about it.
Beyond that, this is a solid issue and one that a Highlander fan can finally hang their hat on.
4 out of 5 geek goggles.
 Highlander Way of the Sword #1 (Cover A) SEP073518E |
 Highlander Way of the Sword #1 (Cover B) SEP073518B |
