Barrier #1

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan Artist: Marcos Martin Publisher: Image Comics Release Date: May 9, 2018 Cover Price: $4.99 Critic Reviews: 11 User Reviews: 13
8.0Critic Rating
8.4User Rating

From the Eisner Award-winning team behind THE PRIVATE EYE, BARRIER is an unconventional drama about violence, language, and illegal immigration...with a shocking sci-fi twist. After debuting on PanelSyndicate.com, this critically acclaimed five-part miniseries finally comes to print, exclusively from Image Comics. After making the massive, 50-plus-page first issue available to mature readers for FREE on Free Comic Day, this special collector's edition of the first issue is being released in a larger size to match the next four issues being released WEEKLY throughout the rest of May! Printed in its original "landscape" format (side-stapled for more

  • 10
    Pastrami Nation - Ralph Simbulan May 1, 2018

    There is a mystery at the end of this issue, and I look forward to the next book. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Graphic Policy - Brett May 9, 2018

    Barrier is unconventional in every way exploring violence, language, and immigration in a story that weaves together in an unexpected way. Writing this review I have the hindsight of have read the entire series digitally but rereading it all this time later, I can't help be amazed at how good this is. Now, more individuals can read what is a comic that's as timely today as when it was first released a year ago. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comicsverse - Jhoan Suriel May 9, 2018

    BARRIER #1 successfully blends a story about immigration, language, and violence into a sci-fi package. Brian K. Vaughan did his homework and carefully took care to show authentic Honduran Spanish. Martin's art is unsettling at times but excellently captures Liddy and Oscar's worlds. It's a must read. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Bleeding Cool - Joshua Davison May 12, 2018

    Barrier #1 is a wonderfully engaging comic with compelling leads, an interesting plot, and a twist ending so ridiculous that it may just work. Brian K. Vaughn, Marcos Martin, and Muntsa Vicente do phenomenal work here, and I look forward to seeing how this one shakes out. This book comes highly recommended. Give it a read. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comics Bookcase - Zack Quaintance May 8, 2018

    Barrier #1 uses the widescreen webcomic format to great effect, and Vaughan's incorporation of two languages creates a literal barrier between the book's dual leads, serving its plot and its theme of separation. Based on Vaughan's past work, Barrier seems poised to raise fascinating questions about the intersection of seemingly disparate worlds. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Bastards - Cat Wyatt May 17, 2018

    The artwork for this issue is absolutely striking. It's easy to look at the pages between the covers and think that they're on the dull side, but they actually do a wonderful job of portraying real people, with actual flaws and human emotions. It's beautifully done. The covers are absolutely striking (I may have taken a peek at the rest of the covers already). I wouldn't have expected a color palette like this from this series"and yet here they are. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Newsarama - David Pepose May 14, 2018

    Barrier is definitely a cool conceit, but it's also going to be an acquired taste that even the exquisite artwork may have to work overtime to conquer. Read Full Review

  • 7.9
    Multiversity Comics - John Schaidler May 10, 2018

    Barriers #1 is an immersive comic book experience with lush illustrations and authentic dialogue that will force you to dig deeper to better understand the story. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Pop Culture Uncovered - Adam Frey May 8, 2018

    Barrier is considerably more open-ended and left to the imagination. In other words: it could be good, but that trademark Vaughan intrigue just hasn't established itself yet. Read Full Review

  • 5.8
    Geekery Magazine - Lucas Fashina May 9, 2018

    Out of 5 stars I give it a 3. The art in Fouke was incredible in some panels and just okay in others. I just wish Marcos Martin had more time to flesh out the landscape of the story. Extra point for the Elektra panel but loss of pints for the lack of colloquial knowledge. I just couldnt get past the weird usage sometimes. I appreciated that Vaugh was trying to insert some emotion and realism into the comic, but there were several panels that felt out-of-place that Martin would probably have liked to illustrate his point in a little more detail, but suddenly had to move on for the sake of moving the story along. Otherwise this was just a good read and the art was otherworldly. Read Full Review

  • 4.0
    Comic Book Corps - Clayton Hinojosa May 15, 2018

    In a time where society finds itself more xenophobic and politically driven, Brian K. Vaughan pushes the boundaries of discomfort while still keeping the story interesting in Barrier by making an investment in caring for these characters. Read Full Review

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