Warlord #9
Published and © by DC, October-November 1977
Title: “The Lair of the Snowbeast”
Synopsis: Separated from his companions and bleeding out in the snow, the Warlord finds aid from an unexpected source.
Writer: Mike Grell
Artist: Grell
Review: Unexpected blizzards. Prehistoric creatures. Butterfly valkyrie. Or is that an abominable snowman? At times, it seems writer/artist Mike Grell is just flipping through a catalog of fantasy elements and kitbashing together what he thinks might make an interesting story. Or perhaps he’s motivated by whatever would be fun to draw next. Whatever. The result always seems to be an enjoyable, well-drawn comic. Grell’s Warlord works best if you don’t think too hard and just go with the fun. But to make the leap into something truly special, Grell needs to add either gravitas or an original spark to the mix.
Grade: B+
Cool factor: Butterfly valkyrie and abominable snowmen!
Not-so-cool factor: Wait. What? That doesn’t make any sense!
Notable: The Warlord dons his new costume.
Character quotable: “Aw, what the hell – .” – Warlord, giving into blood loss and hypothermia
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Sequential Reaction (Vol. 1) on Sept. 29, 2016.
