Comics
Review: ‘Amala’s Blade’ #1
Previously featured in issues #9 through #11 of “Dark Horse Presents,” steampunk enthusiasts can finally enjoy the first of 4 installments of Amala’s Blade in full epic glory. With Steve Horton expertly scripting the series, and stylistically charming art by Michael Dialynas, this book promises a great dystopian adventure as it follows a defiant, female master assassin on a suicide mission.
WRITTEN BY: Steve Horton
ART BY: Michael Dialynas
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: April 24th, 2013
To shed some light on the civil war torn fantasy world in which the story takes place, provided on its opening pages is a Tolkien-esque map of the Naamaron Kingdom, which is rancorously divided into warring factions. On the West, covering the more traditional aspects of the steampunk genre, are the low-tech Purifiers, powered by steam and scornful of the high-tech Modifiers to the East. These Modifiers cover the Biopunk subgenre well, in that they seemingly value genetic engineering and enhancements in order to become one with the machines they worship.
Both sides are fearful and aware of the prestigious Vizier’s sword-wielding master assassin, Amala. And by the time Horton and Dialynas are finished introducing the character within the first seven pages, readers will understand why. Anticipate some engaging cut-throat action. Literally. For all her successes as a deadly, unremorseful assassin, she’s become reckless and unpredictable on assignments due to her dissatisfaction with being used by Vizier. Unfortunately, the great Vizier isn’t too happy with her carelessness either, and resorts to sending her on a suicide mission to teach her a lesson. And so begins the main plotline and lead-in to Part 2.
The pacing of the issue is perfectly informative without being overbearing, and features interesting side plots which appear to hold symbolic and psychological significance for Amala in the main story. It’s very unique in comparison to most steampunk fiction where the genre tends to have an elegance and romantic appeal to it, but Horton adds his own splash of romance as we’re introduced to Amala’s love interest.
Dialynas created something special when illustrating Amala. From clothing to figure, she’s drawn in logical and realistic propriety. Not once is she graphically or impractically sexualized, which is a refreshing bonus. His work on the opening pages is gold, in terms of details, action, and colouring. There isn’t an abundance of blood and fiery destruction, but his aim towards a more realistic take on both is of particular note. Moreover, how he manages to make Vizier look both futuristic and Victorian simultaneously is a hilarious mystery. Dialynas’ style is very interesting and definitely worth checking out.
All in all, “Amala’s Blade” seems like it’s going to be another hit for Dark Horse, and the first issue is definitely one worth buying for those interested in steampunk fantasy epics with ass-kicking female protagonists. Though, a little more ass-kicking would have been appreciated. Personal taste of course. No doubt there will be more in the coming installments.
4/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – ShadowJayd
Comics
‘You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive’ – IDW Dark’s Next Horror Comic Will Make You Question Reality
Five friends. Four houses. One perfect life. Bloody Disgusting is excited to exclusively announce You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive, a brand new horror comic from IDW Dark.
From Eisner-Nominated writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, and rising horror artist Heather Vaughan, You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive is described as a “paranoia-laced, socially-conscious, horror mystery that will leave you questioning reality, and reveal that this crafted world is more of a nightmare than the idealistic dream they were expecting.”
Phoebe Joplin has never questioned the world her parents built: a secluded community where she and her friends were raised to be smarter, stronger, and better than anyone else. No distractions. No dangers. No secrets. Until the night of their graduation.
When one of them dies under impossible circumstances, Phee starts to pull at the edges of her perfect life—and what she finds is something far more terrifying than she ever imagined.
Because this place isn’t a sanctuary. It’s a cage. And no one who discovers the truth ever leaves it alive.
Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing (Batman – One Bad Day: Clayface, Star Trek: The Last Starship) co-write the upcoming IDW Dark horror comic, featuring art by Heather Vaughan.
Jackson Lanzing said in a statement to Bloody Disgusting, “You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive is in many ways a spiritual successor to our last creator-owned horror, The Principles of Necromancy – a dive into the promise and consequence of playing god with the blood of innocents. But the Hivemind book this reminds me of most is Clayface: One Bad Day. This is a deeply human story with intensely raw emotions – five best friends and their five mysterious parents, tearing one another apart for the promise of some impossible glory that’s waiting just beyond their darkest actions. We’re thrilled to be bringing this story to life with our long-time partner in crime, editor Heather Antos, at IDW Dark – and we’re particularly excited to give our Clayface fans a new, brutal and emotional horror made just for them.”
Adds Collin Kelly, “We’re deconstructing a feeling that seems universal these days; our elders have a death grip on their power, without any intention of giving it up to the generations that come next. YNLTPA is about growing up with the limitless potential of the future… and realizing how much it’s a lie we’ve been fed to keep us under the yoke of the past. Bringing this brutal experience to life is our artist and co-creator, Heather Vaughan, who brings an incredible amount of humanity to our cast. But it’s in our youthful leads that Heather’s art really shines – you are going to fall in love with these young people, even as they go through the worst experience of their lives. What we’ve all crafted together is going to be tragic, painful, but above all else, sincere – with a future so uncertain, there’s only one thing we can trust: you’ll never leave this place alive.”
“Some horror stories are about monsters in the dark. YNLTPA is about realizing the monsters raised you,” previews Senior Group Editor Heather Antos. “Working with Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly on this series has been a dream in the darkest possible way. They’ve built a story that’s layered, brutal, and deeply emotional, and every issue gives artist Heather Vaughan opportunities to push the art into places that feel both haunting and deeply personal. Some horror comics will keep you up at night…this is one that will stick with you for years to come.”
The first issue of You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive goes on sale October 14, 2026! Make sure to pre-order at your local comic shop by September to guarantee a copy.
Exclusively check out the various covers for Issue #1 down below.
IDW Publishing’s horror imprint IDW DARK features comics like A Quiet Place: Storm Warning, Smile: For the Camera, The Exorcism at 1600 Penn, Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees, The Twilight Zone, Event Horizon: Dark Descent & Event Horizon: Inferno, and more.
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