Graphic Novel Review: Belit & Valeria Volume 1: Swords Vs Sorcery

Published by: Ablaze

Written by: Max Bemis & Robert E Howard

Illustrated by: Rodney Buchemi

Ages: 18+

Robert E Howard is most known for his character Conan the Barbarian. A wandering warrior, he travels the world of Hyboria as a mercenary, known for his lethality with a blade and the strength of his passions. We’ve seen Conan in many forms of media and most are at least somewhat familiar with him. However popular any main character may be, there are always a host of other characters in the story, some of who make a strong enough impression to gain tales of their own. Belit, the Pirate Queen, and Valeria, of the Red Brotherhood, get their chance to shine here.

Waking from a watery grave, drenched and dripping around mermaids, Belit awakens from many years being dead. Immediately seeking out a way to quench her passions, it doesn’t take her long to resume her role as a pirate. One of her first orders of business nets her a blonde prisoner, the aforementioned Valeria, and these two feisty femme fatales not only cut their way across both sea and land, but begin a very passionate relationship.

Though it does stay consistent with action and dialogue, fairly true to the original Howard, once the Gods got involved in the story, and Belit’s connection with the Goddess Bel was explored, I got a little lost. By the end, the story came back and clarified what I had misunderstood, but my overall impression was affected.

For fans of the original Robert E Howard works, BELIT & VALERIA: SWORDS VS SORCERY will be a breath of fresh air, letting loose an old classic. For new fans, Max Bemis’ (MOON KNIGHT, POLARITY) interpretation may get slightly disjointed, but hang on and you won’t be disappointed.

Ages 18+ for graphic nudity and extreme violence.

ADAM FISHER, Reference Associate

Author
Recent Posts

Adam Fisher

Adam Fisher has worked for more than a decade at Lane Libraries in Fairfield, Ohio, where he is a Reference Associate. He creates and leads programming for all ages, manages the graphic novel, sci-fi/fantasy, and magazine collections at his branch, and has recently seen great success with his self-created Escape Room programs. He writes reviews for everything he reads and can be found on Goodreads @FisherAd80 and on Twitter @adamreadscomics.

Related