The Karman Blade #2: The Blade Has Chosen

Last month, The Karman Blade #1 set the stage for what could have been a solid, yet standard, dark fantasy epic, mostly remembered for its flowery narration and stunning visuals. For many, including me, that was enough, and would have been enough had the story continued along that trajectory. The duo behind The Karman Blade, however, had other plans, it seems. Rather than follow the established quest narrative set by previous generations of fantasy storytelling, they opted to expand the legend behind the blade, introducing former wielders and deepening its abilities beyond sentience. One could make the comparison to the One Ring from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings when discussing the role that the Karman Blade plays in its world. Darcy Van Poelgeest seems to lean into that comparison as well, further establishing a mental link between the blade and its wielder. This also allows the blade, while not a fully fleshed-out character, to be a looming presence in the background of the narrative.

The surrealist visuals by Ian Bertram and Matt Hollingsworth continue to be a standout in this series, and are heightened in this issue compared to the previous. This is shown especially in scenes involving the False King, who acts as a representation of unclarity, having been deceived by the god Kalu regarding the Karman Blade. When the False King is on the page, the art is more unclear and appears almost like a state of limbo. The contrast between the False King’s domain and the rest of the land that Anatta inhabits further drives the mystery of the blade, which will continue into the back half of the narrative.

The issue ends with a twist that drastically subverts expectations for the back half of the story. It is a bold move on the part of this creative duo, but it is one that could pay off well if handled properly and carefully. Personally, I believe more bold moves like this are needed.