Dark Agnes 1 (featured image) Reviews 

“Dark Agnes” #1

By | February 7th, 2020
Posted in Reviews | % Comments

Tired of having only 9 different Conan titles to choose from? Check out one of Robert E. Howard’s least famous, but most exciting characters in the action-packed series debut, “Dark Agnes” #1. (Warning: may contain a smattering of minor spoilers.)

Cover by Stephanie Hans
Written by Becky Cloonan
Illustrated by Luca Pizzari
Colored by Jay David Ramos
Lettered by VC’s Travis Lanham

Forced into an arranged marriage, Agnes de Chastillon took matters into her own violent hands to free herself from the yoke of a life she never wanted. Now, the woman known as DARK AGNES, along with her mercenary partner ETIENNE VILLIERS, make their way through 16th century France as sellswords on their way to join the wars in Italy, where the real money is! But when Etienne is captured by the DUKE OF ALENCON’s forces and set for execution, it’s up to Dark Agnes to save the day! But what evil designs are being enacted on Agnes, and will she doom herself by saving Etienne?

Despite the fact she’s known by several different names – Agnes de Chastillon, Agnes de la Fere, and most notoriously, Dark Agnes – you’re still in good company if you’ve never heard even one of her monikers. Veteran comic creator Becky Cloonan essentially admitted as much herself, and she was hired to write the script for the character’s debut series.

Truth be told, it’s hardly surprising that few people outside of a handful of Robert E. Howard scholars, the hardest of hardcore fans, and intellectual property lawyers would recognize the Sword Woman’s name. Howard only wrote three stories about this fictional 16th century mercenary swashbuckler. Even then, only two were finished and none of the pieces were published while Howard was still alive.

Thankfully, with the relatively recent reacquisition of the rights to “Conan the Barbarian,” along with an absolute trove of other Howard creations, the clever team at Marvel saw the untapped potential of this obscure, badass heroine and decided to give her a book. Even better, they handed the reins to Cloonan, an unabashed Howard fan with the confidence and ability to exploit the character’s pulpy roots while also adding layers of historical authenticity and contemporary 21st century attitude. Indeed, with her short, spiky hair and more traditionally masculine clothes, Agnes stands in stark contrast to her more scantily clad, curvaceous sword wielding sistren.

Even so, while her look may be reminiscent of the iconic Joan of Arc, Cloonan makes it abundantly clear that Agnes is no pious prude. She’s wanted by the authorities, drains flagons of wine like a champ, and absolutely refuses to play the part of blushing bride on her ill-fated wedding night, as alluded to in a trippy dream sequence beautifully crafted by artist Luca Pizzari, colorist Jay David Ramos, and letterer VC’s Travis Lanham. Granted, much of her backstory, along with other key scenes in this first installment, are heavily drawn from classic adventure fiction tropes, but that allows Cloonan to show rather than tell us who Agnes is. The writing is tight, well-paced and compact, never lingering too long or bogging down in extraneous details – a rare combination of compelling characterization and an action-packed plot. Clearly, Cloonan trusts her artists to add nuance and fill in the blanks. There’s still plenty of dialogue, but it doesn’t feel overwritten or indulgent.

Visually, Pizzari’s line work and Ramos’s colors are exceptionally well suited to both the story and the genre. Pizzari’s illustrations are dynamic and evocative, employing the familiar vernacular of comparably situated movies, TV shows, and books without ever resorting to outright clichés. From the characters’ costumes to the architecture to the various props and accessories, Pizzari’s well-chosen period details transport the reader to a distinct time and place that feels both original and realistic. Similarly, Ramos’s dexterous use of soft light and subtle shadows – especially when paired with soft-focus backgrounds and dramatic washes of yellow, rose-gold and pale orange – creates a painterly, almost chiaroscuro effect unmistakably reminiscent of Renaissance master works. The overall effect is a rather intoxicating, if slightly disorienting combination of decidedly low-brow, pulp fiction elements with a high-end visual aesthetic that raises the stakes. We still know it’s all in good fun, but it also feels more real and relatable.

In the end, that’s the real hook. Even though she was created back in the 1930s by a prolific pulp fiction author who wasn’t exactly known for his forward-thinking, feminist views, Dark Ages proves to be a refreshingly contemporary female protagonist in her first solo comic book series – one who isn’t afraid to fight the corrupt powers that be and make some coin in the process.

Final Verdict: 9.1 With a tightly written script and wondrous artwork that elevates the narrative, “Dark Agnes” #1 is a raucous, fun-filled introduction to a great new character who’s sure to be a crowd favorite.


John Schaidler

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