Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Battlefield 6 Classes - Support trailer image

    Battlefield 6 Really Wants You To Play Support (But Knows You Won’t)

    07/31/2025
    Battlefield 6 Multiplayer Reveal promotional image

    Battlefield 6 Classes, Maps, And More: Everything You Need To Know

    07/31/2025
    A glimpse at all the upcoming Star Wars stories coming to the galaxy

    Star Wars Stories: What We Learned At SDCC 2025

    07/25/2025
    Blindspot episode still

    It’s been 5 years since ‘Blindspot’ ended. Why haven’t you watched it yet?

    07/24/2025
    Strange Scaffold

    Strange Scaffold Summer Showcase Delivers Bizarre And Brilliant Games

    07/22/2025
  • Fantasia Festival
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Switch 2 Games
But Why Tho?
Home » Image Comics » REVIEW: ‘Reaver,’ #1

REVIEW: ‘Reaver,’ #1

Max FunkeyBy Max Funkey07/12/20194 Mins ReadUpdated:08/07/2021
Reaver 1 But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Reaver #1

Reaver #1 is published by Image Comics under the Skybound imprint. From the creative team of writer Justin Jordan, artist Rebekah Isaacs, colorist Alex Guimarães, and letterer Clayton Cowles. The issue begins amid a fierce and bloody battle.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

The forces of the “Old Empire” are battling those from a country known as Escalene for control of land known as the Reach. A nameless Lieutenant is rescued by his sergeant Ash Mahan, and taken to temporary safety.  While they are hiding in a trench they discuss how poorly the battle is going. However, before they can catch their breath, they something coming. An allied soldier has gone berserk and is slaughtering Empire forces. Within moments he has slain the lieutenant as Ash fled, deserting him.

The scene then shifts to a war room. Colonel Travvos of the Empire is discussing the dire situation of the war with another man named Marris. As they discuss the cause of the enemy’s success, Marris suggests that he has a plan. Soon Travvos has recruited Ash, who had recently been arrested for desertion, as well as several other criminals and monstrous individuals. Styrian, Rekala and, in a twist, Essen Breaker.

The man who killed Ash’s lieutenant and sullied his honor. With all of them assembled they are given their mission. That is, they must sneak behind Escalene lines escorting Marris. Once there, they will attempt to destroy a machine that is telling the Escalene forces every move the Empire is making. With that, the stakes are set, and a few new wrinkles are introduced. But once the job begins, it seems death is inevitable, whether it will come from the enemy or each other.

From page one the influence of Suicide Squad is present. A team of dangerous criminals being led by a stalwart soldier is too clear of a parallel to draw. However, despite the surface-level similarities writer Justin Jordan does a fine job of helping his work stand on its own. His characters each have their own personalities and quirks. Additionally, this story is easily more adult oriented. Which leads to one of my favorite things about Jordan’s writing.

He doesn’t burden the reader with in-universe slang or proper nouns. We don’t need a primer in this entire world and it’s languages or customs to get what these people are saying. Rather, they talk like us. They curse, they speak frankly. It is always refreshing to read fantasy that isn’t afraid to speak plainly, which I appreciate. I will, however, say that I wish there was a bit more world-building. I don’t know that it would hurt to know a little more about who these people are and why they fight. It is possible that we’ll learn more in the future, and I appreciate expediency in service of getting to the story more quickly. But a little more would definitely have been welcome.

The art from co-creator Rebekah Isaacs is a great fit for the dark fantasy setting. The scenes of violence, while drenched in blood, are clean and clear to follow. Character faces are expressive and their designs are excellent. With as little about their backstories as we are told, the visual side helps fill-in more about them.

In the same vein, the colors from Alex Guimarães are superb. Each panel feels vivid and alive, even when the people present aren’t. Additionally, the lettering from Clayton Cowles is as solid as ever. Dialogue is never hard to follow and the sometimes brutal sound effects are excellently portrayed.

There’s a lot to love from this new series. The characters are delightfully wicked, and the mission suitably hopeless. I do wish I knew more about them and the world they inhabit. But along those lines I trust the writer to share that information more freely as the series goes on. If you’re a fan of low fantasy or dark fantasy then Reaver #1 is a solid entry into the genre.

Reaver #1 will be in comic stores everywhere on July 10th, 2019

Reaver #1
4

TL;DR

There’s a lot to love from this new series. The characters are delightfully wicked, and the mission suitably hopeless. I do wish I knew more about them and the world they inhabit. But along those lines I trust the writer to share that information more freely as the series goes on. If you’re a fan of low fantasy or dark fantasy then Reaver #1 is a solid entry into the genre.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Culture Shock’ is Real Horror, the Kind We Experience Daily
Next Article REVIEW: ‘The Magicians: Alice’s Story’
Max Funkey
  • X (Twitter)

Librarian, Dungeon Master, and Video Gamer. I love reading, learning, teaching, and, honestly, I'm always just happy to be here.

Related Posts

Tenement #1- But Why Tho

REVIEW: ‘Tenement,’ Issue #1

06/23/2023
Battle Chasers #10- But Why Tho

REVIEW: ‘Battle Chasers,’ Issue #10

06/14/2023
I Hate This Place #9

REVIEW: ‘I Hate This Place,’ Issue #9

06/07/2023
Almighty #5

REVIEW: ‘Almighty,’ Issue #5

06/07/2023
Almighty #4

REVIEW: ‘Almighty,’ Issue #4

05/03/2023
I Hate This Place #8

REVIEW: ‘I Hate This Place,’ Issue #8

05/03/2023

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Wildgate promotional key art
9.0
PC

REVIEW: ‘Wildgate’ Is Co-Op Space Mayhem Done Right

By Adrian Ruiz07/25/2025Updated:07/30/2025

Built for friends and tuned for competition, Wildgate is messy in the best way: smart, surprising, and bursting with room to grow.

Glass Heart
7.0
TV

REVIEW: ‘Glass Heart’ Offers Messy, Musical Catharsis

By Allyson Johnson07/22/2025

The musical drama series ‘Glass Heart’ soars when it focuses on the epic performances of it’s fictional band, TENBLANK.

Simon in An Honest Life But Why Tho
3.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘An Honest Life’ Is Terribly Dishonest About Its Own Politics

By Jason Flatt08/02/2025

An Honest Life is an overly severe misfire about a law student who falls in with anarchist burglars that can’t decide who it resents more.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here