Review: Barb the Last Berzerker

By Daniel Abdo and Jason Patterson

New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2021. Graphic Novel. 244 pages.

We first meet orphan Barb during a battle scene between her band of Berzerkers and a group of monsters. We soon come to find out that this melee is just one in a long line in the War of the Monsters. Eager to end this war, Barb and her fellow Berzerkers are easily deceived into procuring a weapon of great power, the Shadow Blade. The Shadow Blade transforms their deceiver into an even greater adversary, Witch Head. Now, on the run with the Shadow Blade and her new friend Porkchop the yeti, Barb is determined to find help to rescue the captured Berzerkers, end the war, and defeat Witch Head. However, along their journey (filled with epic battles and a tender back story) Barb will find out there is more than one way to win a war.

Filled with heart and humor, Barb the Last Berzerker, is a enjoyable romp from start to finish. Aided by the scribbly, bright style of the illustrations and large handwritten style of the font, this slightly wacky tale of adventure, bravery, and friendship will appeal to a wide audience. Adults will appreciate the vintage feel of the cartoon itself, as both its illustrations and content are reminiscent of the great heroes of the 1980's like He-Man, Conan the Barbarian, and She-Ra; and younger readers will be eagerly drawn into this fresh take on the "chosen one" tale. Don't miss Barb the Last Berzerker.

Comments

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