Warlord #25
Published and © by DC, September 1979
Title: “This Sword for Hire”
Synopsis: Trouble on the home front sees Warlord taking a job as a mercenary, tracking down an infamous thief.
Writer: Mike Grell
Penciler: Grell
Inker: Vince Colletta
Review: From the opening pages, it’s obvious that Warlord can be an emotionally weighty book, featuring a strong cast of sexy woman and strapping lads. But this issue offers a respite from such things, as Travis Morgan’s ongoing mantrum takes him on an adventure with a mercenary crew. Such adventures are full of fighting and killing, of course, and Grell delivers such action with aplomb. While the artist is best known for his stylish rendering, his storytelling skills are rock solid, too. He’s also underrated as a fight choreographer, a vital skill for an artist on an action title like Warlord.
Grade: B+
Cool factor: The Warlord. Creator Mike Grell has done a great job developing a “real” character out of pretty familiar source material.
Not-so-cool factor: The big, blue (but purple on the cover), mohawk-sporting snow giant is a pretty goofy foe.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.
Character quotable: “I used to think I’d do anything for money! I just found out different!” – Travis Warlord, Warlord
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Comics Bronze Age on June 10, 2009.
