The Breaker At The Edge Of The World: ‘Reaver #7’ Reviewed
by Josh Davison
Mild Spoilers Ahead
Haas Haaden is a port city at the edge of the known world. Crime and corruption flourish thanks to the distance from the center of the Empire and this is where Essen Breaker, the Devil’s Son, has gone to start a new life without killing. However, he has already had to intervene on behalf of a child pickpocket and it almost came to blood. He meets with an old friend, Bren Mavvos, at his bar. Bren offers Essen lodging and Essen recognizes another face: Rana. This man took in Essen and Bren when they were orphans and Essen feels loyalty to the man. Unfortunately, the footsoldiers of a crimelord called Stagger repeatedly hassle Rana and Essen may have to break his vow of nonviolence.
Reaver is back and the story continues to follow the Devil’s Son after the siege at the Anvil. Essen took many lives at the Anvil and he never wants to kill again. However, he keeps finding situations in which bloodshed may be required and his vow may amount to nothing in the long run.
Essen Breaker was my favorite character in the first Reaver arc, so I’m glad to see that he may remain the focus going forward.
It’s still unclear what made Essen Breaker go mad in the first issue of Reaver, but it’s engaging to watch the man try and reform himself despite his numerous demons. It’s also interesting to see what formed a man like Essen and what will motivate him going forward.
Bren is an enjoyable new addition. His sense of humor makes him a nice foil to Essen’s grimacing and skulking.
Nico Henrichon joins up as the artist with this issue. I thoroughly enjoyed his work on Doctor Strange and the Marvel Knights 20th series and he doesn’t disappoint with Reaver #7. His gritty and dirty style fits Haas Haaden and its residents. His color palette is grim and it looks great. It suits his linework perfectly and it sets a nice visual tone for the book.
Reaver #7 is a welcome return for the Image fantasy series. Essen Breaker is back and he’s trying to live a life without bloodshed. However, the injustices around him may yet unleash the Devil’s Son again. With an engaging story and a killer art style, Reaver #7 easily earns a recommendation. Feel free to give it a read.
Reaver #7 comes to us from writer Justin Jordan, artist Nico Henrichon, letterer Clayton Cowles, and cover artist Becky Cloonan.
Final Score: 8.5/10
