Review by Ian Keogh

Andreas Butzbach doesn’t give much away in Big-Ass Sword. Indeed, the titular sword remains sheathed for many of the short episodes. Readers learn early that there’s been some kind of war that’s left the landscape devastated and seemingly only robots in existence, and the viewpoint is a robot wandering the desolate planet with the head of another robot attached to its belt. There seems no great purpose to their journey as they encounter the remnants of a society now also without purpose since the war ended. Largely taking the journey on foot, there are also interludes when a motorbike supplies faster transport, providing alternative visual opportunities.

Much like the technology seen, Butzbach stitches together Big-Ass Sword from familiar sources for anyone who’s read 2000AD long enough, yet from that delivers something original with its own mood. Mike Mignola’s jagged art is obviously a major influence, with the panels featuring little other than the figures on colour backgrounds, yet there’s immense detail on those figures and the technology encountered. Also like Mignola, Butzbach has a fine eye for panel composition. As the robot battles a succession of threats the illustrations are from a distant viewpoint, showing the robot possessing a gymnastic elegance as it leaps, swerves and slashes. The bright, but limited colours are changed for every episode and complete a distinctive look.

While most strips just have the robot and Skull reacting to whatever they encounter, some offer a little more background, but that’s not the priority. Learning Butzbach conceived and began working on Big-Ass Sword during covid times offers some perspective, explaining the lack of purpose and isolation, the only companionship distanced and mechanical. Human intrusions, whether in the present day or flashback, are brief and usually terminal.

For all the violent interludes, there’s a prevailing sense of calm and serenity as the robot is equal to any challenge, and views them merely as obstacles on the path to nowhere. The results make for a pleasing and visually stimulating experience.