Barb Wire #1

Writer: Chris Warner Artist: Patrick Olliffe Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Release Date: July 1, 2015 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 17 User Reviews: 2
6.8Critic Rating
8.2User Rating

Nail-hard tough and drop-dead gorgeous, Barb Wire is the baddest bounty hunter on the mean streets of Steel Harbor, where gangsters can lift bulldozers and leap rusting factories in a single bound. The hunting is stupid good and the bounties are hella big—if Barb lives long enough to collect!

  • 9.5
    Hulking Reviewer - Kareem Ali Jun 30, 2015

    Barb Wire #1 is an excellent start to the series and is full of interesting characters, explosive action and enough charm to make me anxiously wait for the next issue. The character development is enjoyable with some interesting setups such as the TV show, financial trouble with the club and a very fragile truce between rival gangs. None of the characters feel like archetypes thanks to Chris Warner's stellar writing, and Patrick Olliffe's wonderful artwork makes every action sequence electrifying. I can't wait to see what's next. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comics: The Gathering - RobertJCross Jul 2, 2015

    I liked this one a lot. Pick it up if you're down for something new. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    We The Nerdy - Chris White Jul 1, 2015

    Barb Wire #1 is a fun, surprisingly well-presented return for a character that has been around for a long time. I hope to see more of the same in the next issue, albeit with a little more character progression. If you love overblown, loud, confident action stories then this is most definitely for you. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Graphic Policy - jo0olia Jun 27, 2015

    See through shirts aside, at the end of the day Barb says what you want to say to people, but can't. She is relate-able and ready to be rooted for. Who can't get down with that? Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Fandom Post - Chris Beveridge Jul 1, 2015

    Warner takes us back to Steel Harbor easily enough and there's nothing that really makes it a problem, though the city doesn't stand out either. It's fairly boilerplate material in terms of what we get here in design, but it's detailed and has a solid enough look about it with what Ollifffe and Nguyen bring to the page. There's not a lot of story here to be sure, though the arc is teased, but what we get is all about the foundations and establishing the city itself. There's some fun action at the start and plenty of character clues along the way, so you do feel at ease with Barb by the end of it, even a bit sympathetic, and curious to see where it's going to go. That'll be the kicker for it, because what we get here is good, but it's not distinct as it doesn't provide something that really stands out. But Barb has potential, and if it can find is voice and direction quickly, it could be a very fun book. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Geeked Out Nation - Jess Camacho Jun 10, 2015

    “Barb Wire” #1 is not perfect but there's so much potential here and it's a ton of fun.“Barb Wire” #1 reintroduces the character to a new audience perfectly and not a series you should sleep on. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Buccaneer Book Reviews - Have-A-Peg Pete Jul 1, 2015

    If you're looking for a strong female heroine, plenty of fisticuffs and some interesting characters, Chris Warner's Barb Wire could be a good comic to follow. She's no super-hero, she's real and she's still pretty bad-ass. I would keep an eye on this one. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Crusaders - Johnny Hughes Jun 7, 2015

    That said, I think that Warner tries his best to work with in the parameters of expectations. Yes, Barb is attractive. Yes, it is commented on, subtly and not so subtly. But she is also successful as a bounty hunter, as potential reality show star and of course has the bar. The first issue sets the tone and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by it. It's easy to read, despite falling into clich and stereotype at times, coupled with great art. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Graphic Policy - Edward Wendt Jun 30, 2015

    There is probably no one that will expect a masterpiece out of this series, and rightfully so. The concept is not that original, nor was it even original when it first came out. It is built on characters that might have been a bit edgy at the time, but pop culture has since given us a decent selection of badass babes (sorry) that make Barb only one among their ranks. At the same time this issue manages to effectively update the series and the characters and to give them new blood. It might not be a masterpiece but it is fun and worth a look, though it is hard to imagine that the series gains too much traction. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    SnapPow.com - John McCubbin Jun 8, 2015

    Barb Wire #1 is a refreshing return for the '90s bombshell, as though this first issue isn't quite as impressive as I'd hoped, it's more than worth the purchase. It's explosive and eccentric plot twists also leaves great speculation moving forward, with this fan for one being excited for #2. So come July 1st, go to your local comic book shop and pick up the beauty. Read Full Review

  • 7.3
    IGN - Jesse Schedeen Jul 2, 2015

    The main problem with this first issue is that none of the characters really stand out apart from Barb and her brother. Most are simply one-note caricatures. Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    AIPT - John F. Trent Jul 3, 2015

    Barb Wire #1 is a good, fun read. It does have some minor setbacks with body contortions and proportions. There are also some minor dialogue issues. However, the characters were interesting and there was plenty of action and what looks to be a good story about the city of Steel Harbor and the direction it may go. One thing is for sure Barb Wire will be in the middle of it. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Big Comic Page - Ross Sweeney Jun 30, 2015

    Overall, whilst its difficult to absolutely insist that you go out and dive aboard Ms Wires return to comicdom – the issue is all set up, and even then, its rather slight – this is as progressive a reintroduction as one could reasonably hope for. If her actual adventures kick in next issue, Crash and co. might well be on to something. Until then, one to keep an ear out for. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Comic Book Resources - Doug Zawisza Jun 11, 2015

    "Barb Wire" #1 is undoubtedly a deeper experience for readers familiar with the character, but a new number one issue should be more new reader friendly. That's not to say Warner and crew don't make this story memorable or inviting, but they don't offer much by way of character depth or development and there is very little to draw new readers back. "Barb Wire" #1 knows its target audience and guns for them, but continued adventures certainly have ample opportunity to expand and invite. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Newsarama - Richard Gray Jun 30, 2015

    Barb Wire is undoubtedly targeted directly at a specific demographic, and perhaps will work best for those who have been patiently waiting for the last two decades for more adventures with the lead. Otherwise it remains something of a bubble in time, a glimpse of what would happen if the dream of the '90s never died, but had to grudgingly accept the passing of time. Read Full Review

  • 2.0
    Comic Bastards - Pablo Arriaga Jul 1, 2015

    Barb Wire was the promise of the triumphant return an old, almost forgotten character rampaging into the shelves. Instead it was a mismatched, misdirected title with a protagonist who fits the literal definition of passive aggressive. If you are feeling compelled to pick up this title, I'd recommend grabbing a copy of Mercy Sparx by Devil's Due Entertainment. Much more ass-kicking plus hellish anger. Read Full Review

  • 2.0
    Pop Culture Uncovered - John A. Jul 1, 2015

    The good news is, Patrick Olliffe's art is a slightly redeeming factor. Clean lines, good detail and nice attention to filling out backgrounds in panel. The action scenes are easy to follow, and full of energy. Unfortunately, this is not enough to make me want to read the next issue or recommend this book to anyone else. The added bonus of Adam Hughes drawing the covers in his typical bombshell glory is also another layer of great, but just not enough. Closing out, I can only hope that Dark Horse is more discerning in what properties they adapt in the future. Nineteen years after the car crash of a film, this issue proves that Barb Wire is a character that should stay in the drawer a while longer. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    CharlieRock Jul 29, 2015

    Great art!

  • 7.5
    supercoolyeah Jul 6, 2015

    Ok I give you this, the storyline must have been a grandslam back in the 80's when Barb first came out. Though with Feminism and equality amongst ll this storyline does seem a little dated. And this is where I'm torn. It's because the story is a little dated and the fact that a blond with a baseball hat is kicking ass is still awesome to me. The story is left wide open and I just wish it had a tiny bit more direction but there is hope for the future with this one. The Art and the color is on point and just wish for a tad bit more bloodiness but that's just a personal preference.

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