I requested BZRKR: Bloodlines because I read and truly enjoyed the first one so why not keep a good thing going? Even if this is nothing more than a vanity project, just another celebrity branching out and lending their name to a project as an easy cash grab, it's still a very good graphic novel and that is why Keanu is the people's princess.

Bloodlines contains two short stories: one set in Atlantis and the second one set in a mythical African kingdom. Both stories feel like a love letter to classic fantasy and sci-fi. Both stories have very noticeable ties to classic fantasy stories and felt very much like a love letter to the genre.

"Poetry of Madness" was the first story in the volume and my favourite thanks to the personality of the secondary characters and their humour and levity slowly being snuffed by the tragic plot. I think I'll also always remember this story fondly because this is how I found out that Cthulu is now part of the public domain so I'll be running to Ao3 looking for the fics that would make the awful man who created it spin in his grave and rage in hell.

"Fallen Empire" reminded me a lot of reading classic Conan the Barbarian tales. I really loved the world-building and plot twist in this. The only thing I didn't like about this book, particularly in the second tale, was the way that female characters were drawn barely clothed at almost every point. It really wasn't necessary. This was a great read without having to resort to that to get readers interested.

Thank you to NetGalley and Book! Studios for this DRC.

Bloodlines is a strong follow up in this visual continuity. Matt Kindt is a major mind in comics and Mattson Tomlin is incredibly talented. Action and science fiction — not for the squeamish.

BRZRKR: Bloodlines lets other creators play in the BZRKR sandbox as it collects two one-shots that delve into the history of Unute. They were actually pretty good reads and if I'm really thinking about it, the two stories were more enjoyable than the final volume of the series proper. I could certainly hear Keanu speaking the dialogue out loud throughout. This one made the sting of the final volume hurt a little less and I think the world that Reeves and Kindt created is ripe for more stories like these.

Special Thanks to BOOM! Studios and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.

I was a fan of the original BRZRKR story line, so I was glad to see more of this character. The artwork is great, and the two stories included in this collection are excellent.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the early read. This series has been pedal to the metal since it started. This series is action packed and BLOODY. It's a super fun ride!
4/5 go read it!!!

For more reviews and bookish posts visit: https://www.ManOfLaBook.com

BRZRKR: Bloodlines, Volume 1 by Mattson Tomlin and Steve Skroce tells of the origins of the immortal killing machine. Mr. Skorce is a successful screenwriter, and Mr. Tomlin is a filmmaker, writer, and producer.

This graphic novel contains two stories, both of which tell of the BRZRKR’s history and survival.

Poetry of Madness finds our anti-hero in Atlantis, protecting it from attacking enemies. Atlantis’ king, much like the fabled city itself, is rotting from the core and the BRZRKR finds himself fighting the enemies within.

Fallen Empire tells the story of a kingdom destroyed by BRZRKR. A lone survivor tells the story so it can be written down and not forgotten.

The immortal warrior BRZRKR was created by Keanu Reeves and Matt Kindt. I find it amusing that Mr. Reeves’ name is prominently displayed on the cover even though he hasn’t written a single word of this graphic novel. I know it’s for sales purposes, but the publisher should take a page of the Fleming and Ludlum estates (ex: Ian Fleming’s James Bond in…).

I’ve enjoyed the BRZRKR character in previous graphic novels, but the real strength of these comics is the supporting cast. After all, the main character is, frankly, not that interesting. We have no stakes in his future since we already know his immortal. Even being decapitated he can come back to life.

Poetry of Madness:

I don’t know why the writers picked Atlantis, there are plenty of other real cities that can be used. A grittier story than the fantastic elements. The artwork shows us a photorealistic Keanu Reeves (well-drawn) slashing page after page warriors, giants (?), and those who should never be in armor.

Even though the action is plentiful, it was boring. BRZRKR had no challenge, he cuts through an army of thousands, splattering the pages with blood, but there is nothing dynamic in those fights. I saw more movement in a six-panel page of Captain America’s shield flying around. Nevertheless, the art was interesting even though it lacked imagination.

Fallen Empire:

This story, however was much better, but I’ve read very similar stories previously. Both stories are very similar, ancient civilizations were destroyed, but this one works much better.

The action scenes, illustrated by Steve skroce and Rebekah Issacs, are dynamic and move the story forward, not just a celebration of gore. There’s also a twist in the story which I didn’t see coming. The supporting cast is much more interesting than the previous story and we get to know BRZRKR better and what makes him tick.

I wished the two stories were different, old stories of ancient civilizations being destroyed with BRZRK in the middle of the mayhem. They’re fun stories, but at some point they become predictable and boring.

There was something very odd about this graphic novel. Bear with me as I puzzle through some of my thoughts on this.
BRZRKR:Bloodlines features an impressive Hollywood name and a stacked backing writing/drawing teams with credits on some of my favourite works. On paper, this should work for me. And a lot of it did. There is a lot to like about this volumes. There was a fun and interesting twist on the “fridging” phenomena in media (words I never thought I’d say). I felt the pacing was very fast, but despite that, I never felt any issue connecting and caring about the characters.
In attempting to deduce where this went wrong for me, I kept coming back to this one panel. It felt out of place. Kind of jarring. A lot of this book feels like shock value upfront, and I think that the on page nudity/sex plays into that, but unlike the graphic violence, which is inextricably tied to the character and the story, the graphic nudity felt out of place. It was unnecessary in term of character development, and there are other ways to show a growing bond, Perhaps it is prudish to say, and I can be at times, but never about literature. Why be a prude about the fictional. This was just off..
Additionally, there is something about reading a genocide and understanding the perceptive of the characters doing the genociding, while witnessing a genocide happen it real life. It leaves a sour taste in one’s mouth, even if this was written outside of the context of the conflict in Palestine. It is neither the fault of the creators nor the story that it happened, but wrestling with thoughts about genocide and land grabs in feuding regions leads for connection, regardless.
There’s also something about how BRZRKR depicts a man who delves into a homicidal rage that is out of his control. I get that it works with his affliction, and for the most part, I think that this volume deftly skirts the connotation of abusive men, but the comparison is there. I get that this might be a reach for some people, and no hate to those who don’t see it, but it ruined my enjoyment of it.

Thanks to NETGALLEY for exchanging this book for my review.

The record-breaking BRZRKR series from Keanu Reeves follows B, a half-mortal and half-god being who is centuries old, compelled to violence, and cursed. Although the main series from the core creative team ended in 2023, several standalone issues from other creatives have been released and will be collected in the upcoming volume BRZRKR: Bloodlines, Volume 1. The standalone issues in Bloodlines follow B early in his life, from Atlantis to remote desert cities. 

BRZRKR: Bloodlines, Vol. 1 collects two standalone issues: Poetry of Madness and Fallen Empire. While I've been familiar with BRZRKR for a while now, I haven't read any of the main BRZRKR comics yet. These standalone issues, and now the Bloodlines volume, are a great way to experience BRZRKR for the first time. These issues are great alone, but they work even better juxtaposed against each other in this collected volume.

In Poetry of Madness, writer/artist Steve Skroce tells the story of B and the ancient city of Atlantis. There's a sick king, a dangerous cult, and an assistant who is very into B. Poetry of Madness is entertaining, very bloody, and extremely well-drawn. This story started quite interesting, but it devolved downhill from there. B is very melodramatic, and it shows at the end of Poetry. If you like action, slashers, and lots of gore and blood, this BRZRKR issue is for you.

Fallen Empire took me by surprise in a really good way. Not only was it my favorite issue in the volume, but it's one of the most compelling comic issues I've read in a while. Fallen Empire is written by Mattson Tomlin and lushly illustrated by Rebekah Isaacs. There's a beautiful queen, a barren desert, warring nations, and plenty of intrigue. Of course, there's also B, who is caught in the middle of it all. This issue is beautiful and sexy and full of raging violence. It's amazing.

Final Thoughts:

Pick up BRZRKR: Bloodlines, Volume 1 for a violent romp, quick read, and great fun. BRZRKR is for fans of action-adventure and intense fantasy.

Rating:

3 stars for the Poetry of Madness issue.

5+ stars for the Fallen Empire issue.

4.5 Stars for BRZRKR: Bloodlines, Volume 1.

Thanks to BOOM! for providing me with an advanced review copy. All of the above thoughts are my own.

I have loved BRZRKR since it started and this volume gives a really good look at before. There are two stories included, each one-shot comics and each set in a different time period. I loved them both. This is a fun violent ride and I hope I never have to get off. Art is amazing, story is engaging. I could not put it down once I started reading.

Five Stars, but a wish I could give it more.

Note: I received access to read this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The pacing is frenetic, art is gory, and the Reeves is Keanu. I love how much glee they take in exploiting his image. The story is a fable with some twists and it's good.

I’ve heard a lot about the BRZRKR book and finally decided to try one.
I don’t really want to say that I was underwhelmed, but I was underwhelmed.
The story centers around an immortal warrior who once defended the city of Atlantis.
The first bit was just a gore-fest of a battle with an art style that I didn’t really care for.
Then a short bit of story and then more battle.
Maybe if I had started with the first volume, it would have been different.
I like comic books. I like good stories. This just didn’t work for me.

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

3.5 rounded up.

The first story was unintentionally, I think, a bit funny in that Keanu and his servant speak with modern language in a historical time. That combined with the weird drawing style of the blood (which matters since there's a lot of it) made it feel cheap. And throughout the whole comic, the amount of Keanu-ness of the character varies, which I thought was odd. I did like the second story, which made me give it an overall higher score. The ending was brutal, in a good way.

Thanks Netgalley for the advance copy of BRZRKR: Bloodlines.

Very Heavy Metal Magazine. At times something very corny and unbelievably Keanu unexpectedly sneaks it's way in. I didn't mind at all. It doesn't take itself too seriously in Poetry of Madness, which had Cthulu and a lot of one liners. There are plenty of memorable, high detail sick close-up frames that I think wow! this is badass (which allows me to forgive some of the blood just drawn as wiggly meat in the first story)

Fallen Empire is really what won me over. I enjoyed this story much more than the first, it felt more polished and well crafted. I liked the art which was more expressive. (There is a distinct difference in art style between both stories.) Of the two in this volume, Fallen Empire had me more invested in BRZRKR. The concept of an immortal through the ages destined to wander leaving carnage in his wake is great. A few times I found myself thinking "this would make one really cool movie." It reads like a storyboard for one.

It's not all too deep. I'm a very take it or leave it kind of reader and a fan of the actor as well as his enthusiasm for this universe. I'll take it.

Thank you to NetGalley for this opportunity. This will be available 4/2/24!

I dug the art. I really really enjoyed the art. I however had issues following the story.

BRZRKR follows our main male character, Unute, as we recount his past. In this installment we see two different times in his life. First, the time when he was the guardian of the king of Atlantis, and second, when he was sold as a slave to fight to the death in the arena of Olso. Each installment is just as gory as the last. I’m a sucker for Keanu Reeves. Is the story a bit redundant at this point? A little. Am I going to stop reading them? NOPE! The artwork is amazing. The story is entertaining enough for me to pick up the next volume. I love it all!

Ahead of the novel with China Mieville, and having wrapped up the main series, Keanu Reeves demonstrates that famed amiability and lets some other creative teams have a go on his toys, specifically Unute, the immortal killer with a distinct resemblance to his creator, and whose timeline would definitely accommodate John Wick as having represented a few quiet months. Steve Skroce was an obvious first choice for the gig - besides having long been a natural with scenes of epic carnage, storyboarding The Matrix demonstrates a track record of making the boss look good. And in Poetry Of Madness he excels himself, showing how the fall of Atlantis came down to - SPOILER - Cthulhu thinking he was hard enough to take Keanu. Schoolboy error. Loses points for spelling Aklo wrong, but otherwise, no notes.

Unfortunately, that's followed by Mattson Tomlin and Rebekah Isaacs with Fallen Empire. Wasn't the first story about a fallen empire? Yep. Specifically, a towering city which grew too arrogant behind its walls, with a foolish king, and a female narrator who was the sole survivor. And despite the character meaning you can go pretty much anywhere in or before recorded history, so is this one! The duplication can't necessarily be blamed on the creators, if they weren't gently steered elsewhere, but the comparative lack of wit and excitement can, likewise the two twists that are obvious from a mile off. About the only entertainment came with the keepers of the world's history being the scowling Acastan monks, meaning I of course translated them all into James Acaster having a big Taskmaster sulk. I didn't recognise Mattson Tomlin's name - and indeed would probably have guessed him to be a teammate of Bobson Dugnutt - but apparently he's doing the BRZRKR film, about which I am now appreciably less excited.

(Netgalley ARC)

Ok.
So this is a thing, I guess?
It's not good. But you probably knew that already if you've read the main title. That was sketchy enough without trying to milk the storyline for prequels.

The problem with this is that there just isn't enough story. Or maybe it's that they aren't taking the time needed to set up anything in the story for you to care about it.
It is literally Great Value Keanu Reeves popping up at different times in the past, going on a BRZRKR rage, and killing everyone in sight.
And I completely missed this part of his "origin" in the first three volumes, but apparently he not only can't stop himself once he gets going, but he has some kind of an inner timer ticking down that makes him lose control after it goes ding! that can't be stopped, either.
I mean...what?
IF he can slaughter an entire kingdom in one rage?
And IF he's on some kind of a countdown as soon as he's done with said slaughter?
And IF that countdown is as fast as it appears in the second story (a month or so)?
Then there's no way humanity manages to survive to the present day. He's already killed everyone off long before the Dark Ages saw the Renaissance on the horizon.
Or.
Maybe I missed something.
But if you are willing to ignore the wonky bits and just dive in, this has a story about Unute's time in Atlantis & the time he fell in love with a king's wife.
Both end in about the same amount of disaster and carnage that you would imagine.

Hardcore fans only.

This is a rather uneven collection of comics following the adventures of an immortal warrior. While the stories did keep my interest, I felt they were ultimately flawed. For one thing, the warrior's immortality leaves little doubt as to who will ultimately come out on top in the various battles. The character comes across as a serious Marty Stu, an impression heightened by the character being modeled on Reeves himself.

Second, the art style in some of the battle scenes leaves something to be desired, with the way the blood is drawn making it resemble curdled milk rather than actual blood spray. Also, at times the action is difficult to follow, as in one scene where a major character suddenly turns up dead when he doesn't appear to be dying in the previous panel he appeared in.

On the plus side, the book does slip in some fun references to Reeves's film work, such as having him wear armor in the first story resembling that worn by Gary Oldman in Bram Stoker's Dracula. Also, the second story in the collection is significantly better than the first story, providing a much darker take on the character, although it does raise issues of inconsistent characterization.

All told, this is worth a read, but it's probably better if you can get it from a library.

First of all thanks to Steve Skroce and Mattson Tomlin and Rebekah Isaacs for this ARC.
This review feels weird for me, because not only is it the first ARC review i am thanking someone i am giving one star, but it's also the first review i am going to say some really mean stuff about the publisher of the Graphic Novel.
Boom studios are milking Keanu Reeves worse than what humans do to cows, Unless of course it's his request that his name be listed as a writer in a book he wrote not a single word of, in which case that would be really arrogant and an asshole thing to do.
I do know how big his name is, and that just putting his name first, gives all the writers and artists here more spotlight, people sell their souls for more Money, But i honestly think it's pretty disrespectful.
You could have listed him as creator, you could have said Keanu Reeves presents, you could have said from the mind of Keanu Reeves, and so on like so many way better way prominent comic writers before him, But no, He is listed first name on the cover, which probably forces librarians here on goodreads to put him first name on the book even though he wrote not a single word of this.
And btw i knew this reading the Graphic novel, because the credit page gives credit where credit is due, So this initial rant doesn't effect my rating for the stories in this volume.

Review for BRZRKR: Poetry of Madness #1 1/5 stars
<blockquote>Some wounds will never heal, Despite all the pain and suffering that he has endured, He still does not cry...</blockquote>
Nothing is faster than reading modern comics, old comics drag on, but modern comics feel like they are paying by the word and they are still cheap and don't want to pay the writer too much, not saying that this is really what's happening anyway.
So finally i am here reading BRZRKR which is funny i was never going to buy this to read it, i have no faith in actors becoming writers and making something worth while, but people encourage them to do that regardless.
While Keanu Reeves didn't write this, it's his character, it's his world, it's his brand of action.
A character that's in desperate need for an actual personality.
Action scene that are in desperate need of fight dynamics, not just a man cutting everything with no push back, splatter the entire screen with blood so that the readers don't realize just how superficial this is in fact.
I liked the story of Atlantis the king the cult.
I liked the art of how the protagonist looks, how the non action scenes look it's a good artist just lacking fight scene imagination to direct the scene and make it interesting, i also liked how Cuthulhu looked even though there should be enough material to support drawing it.
Believe it or not even after all this review i don't feel sorry to have read this, it was a good idea but bad production.

Review for BRZRKR: Fallen Empire #1 4/5 stars
This was actually way way better than poetry of madness that i had to go back and give poetry of madness 1 star lol
For some reason both tales feel devoid of originality, i don't know why i am getting this feeling, but i read a few Conan stories, maybe because they give the same feeling?
Anyway the worst thing in this story was Keanu Reeves John Wick acting, MC is still in need of a personality, and he is never going to get it, it seems!
This story though was dramatic, the twist wasn't insane or anything, but it made the story more dramatic.
The art was really good here also way better than poetry of madness even though i liked the art not the direction of the art over there, there was actual action scenes, the fights conveyed what really happened, even though the story wasn't full on mayhem like Poetry of Madness.
Issue is where does it stop? because both stories pretty much have the same premise, Old civilizations destroyed by the immortal because he crossed paths with them, and they were assholes to him, you can make tons of these stories, Bring out your Ubar, Sodom and Gomorrah and so on, and put this guy smack dab in the middle of destruction.
Even though following friends reviews at the time, the ratings were higher for early BRZRKR and lower for the following volumes, i think maybe i want to give it a chance to see how Keanu is any better than these writers.

Overall rating 2.5/5 stars i was planning on rounding this up to 3, but after being pissed off on the entire Keanu Reeves being falsely credited on goodreads and the cover, i won't be doing that anymore.

This is the second BRZRKR graphic novel that I have read and I enjoyed it just as much as the first one. Is it over the top with violence and gore? Yes it is, but with a main character who is basically immortal and full of a berserker rage, I think it's to be expected.
In this volume, we see a glimpse into Unute's past, and some of his most impactful relationships. We see the loss of his loved ones through betrayal, and greed, and how he reacts during those instances.
I'm curious to see where the series takes his story, and how his arc grows to show us how he got to where he is (in Vol. 1).