Barbarella has always been a revolutionary character. She lives her life exactly as she wants, traveling the galaxy and indulging in her desires unapologetically. She’s a female interstellar variation of James Bond, her sex appeal as formidable as her blaster. Barbarella #3, written by Blake Northcott with art and colors by Anna Morozova of Magnus Arts and additional colors by Werner Sanchez, picks up immediately where last issue ended. Barbarella, having escaped the insane Planet V, is back aboard her ship Stellaria-6, rocketing through space.
The issue opens with a wonderful tribute to Jane Fonda’s Barbarella film from 1968. Who can forget that opening scene of Barbarella floating weightlessly in zero gravity in a bulky spacesuit, slowly disrobing to a playful score of yé-yé music (1960’s French pop music infused with jazz)? Jane Fonda was sublimely sexy in that film; confident, bold, yet still having the wide-eyed wonder of someone ecstatic about the universe and its unlimited possibilities.
This current Barbarella series comes closest to capturing the spectacle and delight of that film. Where past Barbarella series have gotten bogged down in more serious matters, writer Blake Northcott keeps this series moving from one exuberant adventure to the next, never downplaying Barbarella’s love of exploring the most exotic pleasures.
Vix, Barbarella’s super-cute alien animal companion is still by her side, thankfully carried over from past series and not forgotten. She talks, looks like a combination of a fox and a weasel, and though she hates fighting, she can be pretty vicious when she has to be. The relationship between Barbarella and Vix is charming and it’s so much fun watching them travel the galaxy being snarky with one another. Dynamite, we need a Vix stuffed animal immediately!
Dynamite Entertainment
After the fun opening of this issue, the action kicks in as EarthGov Agent Jury Quire, who’s being held prisoner on planet Métrafusion, needs Barbarella to travel to planet Alpha Prime to find evidence of a Métrafusion plot that will exonerate her and stop Métrafusion’s Nazi-style takeover of Alpha Prime. Arriving at Alpha Prime, Barbarella makes a startling discovery that sends her on a quest across the galaxy to a paradise planet that may not be as perfect as it seems. Along the way, a new character named Zephyraus is introduced. She’s a beautiful female android who joins Barbarella on her quest. She’s a perfect addition to the book’s cast of characters, logical but far from cold. Over time, I can see Barbarella and her having a Kirk/Spock-style relationship, though much steamier.
Anna Morozova’s art is absolutely gorgeous throughout – from Stellaria-6’s streamlined design to Vix’s wisps of fur, the unique designs of the alien races and Barbarella herself, everything looks bold and pristine. Barbarella has never looked more gorgeous, lithe and sensual with impossibly long blonde hair that at times flows down her back like a cape. She resembles prime Pamela Anderson more than Jane Fonda, but that’s fine. In this pop-art universe, Barbarella being a blonde bombshell just seems right. Page 9 of the issue is particularly stunning and I’d love to have it as a poster (along with Morozova’s covers for each of the issues).
I hope this powerhouse team of Blake Northcott and Anna Morozova have a long run on Barbarella. I’ve always been a huge fan of the character and this team has successfully captured everything that makes her so unique and delightful.
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