Review: The Six Swords

REVIEW: The Six Swords #1
6S, LLC, and AHR Visions, LLC
2017
Writers: Melchor Sapiandante, Matthew Perez, and Chris Massari
Artist: Ryan Cody
Color Artist: Elaina Unger
Letterer: Renato Guerra
Editor: Alexander Cutri
Editor in Chief and Cover Art: Abdul H. Rashid

A fairy tale beginning, "Once upon a time." But this is no fairy tale. "In a post-world war IV, six swordsmen set upon each other..." That phrase sets the mood of fierce survival in a post-apocalyptic America. The setting quickly zooms in on Mardi Gra where some revelers have some ominous appearance. The scene features heavy yellows and blues, which does give a sense of merrymaking. Then we get the Title Page for Chapter One: Jigsaw - Falling Into Place.

The thought that folks survived not only, WWIII but WWIV, is profound. And that thought carries straight into the opening chapter. Crime and acts of violence fill the streets of the city. Sex and drugs still sell. Showing us that not even two world wars could eradicate or change the fleshly desires.
The way the writers brought the Six Swordsmen together was creative and a little surprising. The action picks up, and there is plenty of violence that ensues. There is blood, but no gore. The amount of blood does well in keeping the action defined without becoming a horror comic. The Switchblade is a shadowy character with a seemingly evil agenda. The character interjects the element of mystery into the story.

The use of the oversized sword is sexually suggestive. The innuendo is heavy and provocative. The Six Swordsmen don't give a fuck if someone is armed or not. The kill count is high for chapter one of the series. Without a doubt, my favorite character is Savage.

I do recommend this book. I would have liked a little more of a backstory. The joining of the Six Swordsmen felt a little hurried. The pace is fast, as is the action. I was already on page 24 before I knew it.

The artwork is well-done. The use of the four colors is well thought out and used. The colors somewhat set the mood within the frames. Each character's personality is easily recognizable. And as you all know, I am a fan of accurately used blacks - and this has that.

Overall I give this a 4 out of 5 stars.

@budkelly3 #IFB