Written and Artwork by Ngozi Ukazu.
Lettering by Wes Abbott.
Cover Art by Ngozi Ukazu & Wes Abbott.
SUMMARY:
Released in 2024 by DC Comics, writer/illustrator Ngozi Ukazu presents Barda as a 191-page romantic adventure adapted from Jack Kirby’s Fourth World saga.
On the far-off world of Apokolips, Barda (a Wonder Woman-caliber warrior) is the field leader of Darkseid’s Female Furies commando squad. One could estimate this Barda’s age as somewhere between her late teens and early twenties. Barda’s discovery of an enigmatic book left on the battlefield inspires her discreet search for love – a sentimental thought process expressly forbidden on the desolate Apokolips. The candidate for Barda’s romantic affection is her rival warrior: Orion, who will gladly bait her into another round of combat, just for fun’s sake.
Raised in isolation from childhood by the malevolent ‘Granny,’ Barda and her fellow violence-seeking Furies (Lashina; Stompa; Mad Harriet; DeSaad’s sister, Bernadeth; and young Auralie) are committed to lethal missions for the almighty Darkseid. Specifically, they are presently seeking out scattered artifacts that are ‘variables’ in Darkseid’s obsession with conquering the Anti-Life Equation.
Privately, however, Barda realizes that suppressing her natural compassion and, more so, her conscience, prompts some dangerous consequences. For instance, reminiscent of an ‘older sister,’ Barda finds herself protective of the innocent-spirited Auralie, whose therapeutic dancing is her teammate’s sole sense of salvation. At the same time, Barda serves as the chief guard of a prisoner named Scott Free, who is being held underground in the seemingly inescapable X-Pit.
Scott’s efforts (and temporary successes) at escaping captivity make Barda wonder perhaps a satisfying life lies somewhere beyond her sheltered existence on Apokolips. Finding out why Granny isn’t allowed to kill Scott, Barda deduces that her mentor intends to sadistically break the resilient young prisoner’s spirit, by any means necessary. More so, Granny is becoming increasingly suspicious of Barda’s judgment.
Death prompts an outraged Barda to at last seek out the truth of the book she has kept hidden from her fellow Furies. More so, her long-repressed rebellious streak finds Barda on a mission previously unthinkable to her: challenging her ruthless teammates in battle to save a friend from imminent execution. Going undercover, Barda risks her own future on a quest where reciprocal love becomes the endgame.
Note: This title has also been released digitally.
REVIEW:
Unlike other creators writing for DC’s Graphic Novels for Young Adults, Ngozi Ukazu doesn’t pursue a vivid and/or even excessive re-imagining of an established DC Comics character. Instead, with sufficient originality, she faithfully updates Jack Kirby’s work into a poignant romance retelling Barda’s discovery of a genuine soulmate. Ukazu’s storytelling conveys a wonderful depth of character where she meshes thoughtful scripting with deliberately low-key visuals.
Meant to reintroduce Big Barda & Scott Free to a new generation, Ukazu’s Barda is a welcome tribute celebrating one of DC Comics’ most underrated couples.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Included is a twelve-page preview of Nicole Maines & Rye Hickman’s Nia Nal (the Legionnaire known as Dreamer) graphic novel entitled Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story. Maines had previously appeared as the character’s live-action counterpart in the Supergirl television series. Unlike Ukazu’s story, Maines’ storytelling uses some profanity-laced dialogue.
BRIAN’S OOD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
