Comics
Review: ‘Amala’s Blade’ #4
Steve Horton and Michael Dialynas are back with more of their visually stunning steampunk adventure in a civil war torn fantasy world. However, what makes “Amala’s Blade” so compelling is the character-driven narrative. The power of individual strength and perseverance is particularly evident in their characterization of the series’ namesake, ultimately leading to themes of self-actualization and responsibility for one’s identity by the final installment.
The release of issue #4 sees Amala’s journey come to an end, but not without its fair share of casualties. Exceeding the high level of skill and quality already established by Horton and Dialynas in previous installments, “Amala’s Blade” #4 delivers on all accounts.
WRITTEN BY: Steve Horton
ART BY: Michael Dialynas
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: July 31, 2013
Picking up right where issue #3 left off, the final installment wastes no time before delving straight into the story’s action. Amala, having discovered Prince Markos’ plan to reignite the civil war between Modifiers and Purifiers, alerts Smitty and Ren of an ambush by Modifier troops in Neutral Territory. When both warring factions begin to face off, Dialynas takes centre stage with his incredible pencils and colours illustrating the action.
His art explodes across the pages with a vibrant colour palette of mostly blues, purple and brown, displaying a dramatic and accelerated sense of narrative. His work indicates effortlessness in regards to various movements of battle, authentically demonstrating the fluidity his illustrated soldiers possess through a solid understanding, and perfectly executed representations, of the human form. Michael Dialynas’ work also conveys a fresh perspective on the steampunk fantasy genre, showcasing elements of both past and future throughout the issue.
The fourth installment continues with more character-building for Amala. The previous issue has already established how significant her role is in forging a better future for all of Naamaron, but part four really drives the point home, courtesy of her mother, The Lady Strawbale. Whether she’s able to reunite the clashing Modifier and Purifier people in order to stop the resurgence of civil war, or whether or not she’s ready to accept her destiny, readers will have to pick up the issue to find out.
Steve Horton writes in a way that really captures the readers’ imagination. He covers a vast amount of ground in this final issue in order to tie up the series nicely; drawing his audience into his story through numerous twists and turns. He successfully builds upon Naamaron and the “Amala’s Blade” universe over the span of four issues, describing Amala’s world so earnestly throughout the series. Horton keeps up with the fast-pace of the narrative, and swiftly moves the story along to its final pages, producing some surprisingly unpredictable plot developments along the way.
He has created something special with Amala, so it’s doubtful this series will be the last we see of the sword-wielding, master assassin. Overall, “Amala’s Blade” #4 is a worthy issue to end one of the finer series of 2013. From Dialynas’ amazing cover art, to the very last hilarious panel featuring Stormscale the mechanical wyrm, and everyone’s favourite ghost monkey, his work is phenomenal. Here’s hoping the plans to expand Amala’s universe are currently being concocted in Horton’s brain, right now.
4.5/5 Skulls
Review 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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