The Karman Blade #1
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| Writer | Darcy Van Poelgeest |
| Artist | Ian Bertram |
| Cover Price | $3.99 |
MINISERIES PREMIERE
From the Eisner Award winning team behind LITTLE BIRD and PRECIOUS METAL comes the new dark fantasy phenomenon of 2026, THE KARMAN BLADE.
A DYING WORLD UNDER A TYRANT GOD! A BLADE TO FREE THEM ALL!
A young man on the outskirts of a dying world is chosen by a blade forged of stars to slay the despotic deity, Kalu, and free the water he hoards in his Kingdom. Yet before the boy can begin his journey, he must first face the demons in his own life, and answer the Karman Blade’s call—“Are thou he, who taketh me in hand? Are thou he…who shall slay a God?”
CRITIC REVIEWS Back to Top
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9.5
COMICON - Tom Smithyman
Aug 14, 2026Exception artwork dominates this first issue of a dark fantasy. The story itself can be a little difficult to follow, but the detailed, kinetic illustrations more than make up for it. Read Full Review
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9.0
AIPT - Chris Coplan
Aug 14, 2026After successes with 'Little Bird' and 'Precious Metal,' Van Poelgeest and Bertram reunite for a gritty fantasy tale that goes right for your guts as the pair elevate the unique power of their partnership. Read Full Review
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8.8
Comic Watch - Bryce Sexton
Sep 09, 2026In an age where dark fantasy comics are more abundant than ever, The Karman Blade #1 manages to stand out from the crowd. It is unafraid to be itself and knows when to lean into genre tropes and when to subvert them. This issue feels like the start of a solid, memorable entry in the Image Comics library, the dark fantasy genre, and the comics medium as a whole. Read Full Review
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8.4
You Don't Read Comics - Russ Bickerstaff
Sep 09, 2026One of the more compelling aspects of this particular fantasy is the fact that it lacks the kind of grandiose terrorism that so often plays sort and sorcery fantasy. What has to happen here isn't going to be pretty. It's going to be ugly. And the hero, who finally romance and picks up the blade. Is it going to be celebrated. It's pretty queer about that's the case. He might not even survive what it is that he has to do. He's not going to make a name or a legend for himself. If he's successful, he kills a God. But that might as well be just another well. He has to dig. It's elegantly bleak stuff. Read Full Review
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8.0
Fanlight Zone - Joey DiCarlo
Sep 09, 2026If you're out there and you're looking for something different. You're sick of superheroes. You want to jump on board to something a little different. Put a little different spice in your life in your comic book stack. I think this is the one for you. Gorgeous art & an Intriguing story. What more needs to be said? Read Full Review
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7.5
Graphic Policy - Brett
Sep 09, 2026The Karman Blade #1 feels like an old familiar story with a new coat of paint. Read Full Review
USER REVIEWS Back to Top
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7.5
If you're familiar with Little Bird and Precious metal you know what to expect. Same counts for the work of Ian Bertram, which is unique and amazing at the same time.
The story in this issue is simple. Not a lot is being told, definitely when you ingore the sad tone of the story... which is repeated too often... which creates a slow pace.
I'm not sure if this is something a lot of people are going to enjoy. Maybe if you're consider yourself as a comic connaisseur and you'are able to digest complext art and stories.
My childish ego doesn't allow myself to grant me this status, so I'm going to pass.+ Like • Comment• Likes (1) -
9.0
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7.5
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4.0
2025 In Review:
