Amala’s Blade #2
Written by Steve Horton
Illustrated by Michael Dialynas
Colored by Michael Dialynas
Lettered by Steve Horton
Cover by Michael Dialynas
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: May 29, 2013
Cover Price: $3.50

I’m always on the lookout for an exciting and unique assassin story. There’s something about attaining a glimpse into the life of such a secretive and deadly world””in which nothing is ever black and white””that really piques my interest. Steve Horton and Michael Dialynas have created a real gem with the genre-bending Amala’s Blade, and the second issue of Dark Horse’s miniseries steers the comic into a whole new world of awesome.

In a realm wrought with violence and warring nations, Amala is the best assassin around. She’s so gifted with her killer talent that there’s a large price on her head. Now, hired by the Vizier to eliminate a Purifier noble named Lady Strawbale, Amala must begin the most dangerous mission of her career. Not only will she need to figure out the best method of infiltrating the Purifier palace, but she must also evade bounty hunters in search of a reward and a horde of literal ghosts from her past; but what Amala does not realize is that her target may hold the key in bringing peace to the nations.

Horton has done a wonderful job at expanding the Amala’s Blade story from the first issue. He’s offered some foresight into Amala’s past””hinting at characters that we might come across in the future””and has truly brought Amala’s “ghosts” to life. In just two issues, he’s presented excellent world-building skills by introducing us to a wild Steampunk adventure mixed with various layers of fantasy tropes in the vein of Lord of the Rings.

Dialynas’ does a great job at bringing Horton’s story to life. Using different shades of blue with undertones of purple and brown to enhance specific regions of the world, he reveals his cartoon-like caricatures in a bleak, civil war torn land. The choice of cartoon style illustrations gives Amala’s Blade #2 a distinguishing feel through a merger of fun drawings and a fairly dark story.

I was pleasantly surprised by the sophistication of Amala’s Blade #1 and was equally pleased to find that issue two was able to surpass the first. I desperately want to continue following Amala’s journey. Please check this series out, revel in its goodness and make it impossible for Amala to be the one killed off.