With a winning combination of Steampunk and sword-wielding action, Amala’s Blade continues to be a fun read. But is it worth the cover price? Read on to find out.

Here’s the official description from Dark Horse:

Master assassin Amala targets the royal figurehead of the low-tech Purifiers. Standing in Amala’s way? Twin blademasters. Annoying ghosts. Hallucinogenic poison. And a secret from Amala’s past too unhinged to be believed . . . even by Amala!

 

Amala’s Blade is a difficult comic to categorize.  I’m not sure if it’s meant for adults or young adults, maybe both. Certainly it’s too violent to market to kids, but Michael Dialynas’ cartoonish art makes it resemble a children’s comic. This is not to say that I didn’t enjoy the art, I did. I just expected something different based on the art style. In fact, my favorite thing about this issue was the art, especially the superbly paced action scene with the blademasters.

I was less enamored with the plot, though Stephen Horton and Michael Dialynas do a good job of world-building. The land of Namarron comes fully to life. I’m also interested to learn more about the Modifiers and Purifiers, and the love affair between the spiritual leaders of both countries which overshadows this issue.

My main problem is the story felt a little flat, especially the sequence where Amala is poisoned and is helped by the ghosts. Hopefully, the purpose of these haunting apparitions is better explained in future issues.  It’s difficult to differentiate one ghost from the rest.

Overall, Amala’s Blade is entertaining but sort of hollow. This issue, unlike the first, seemed a little rushed and uninspired. We learn very little about Amala. That being said, I think this series has a lot of potential. I’m interested to see what the repercussions will be if/when Amala is able to carry out her mission to assassinate Lady Strawbale. There is enough here to keep me reading this title for at least a few more issues.

3.5/5