Review by Frank Plowright

Zack Snyder’s film Rebel Moon wasn’t greatly loved by critics or audiences, but there was considerable work put into a complicated backstory, and much of the motivation for what plays out in the film is revealed in this graphic novel prequel. It’s most prominently the events that formed the rebellion led by Darrian and Devra Bloodaxe.

They don’t begin as rebels, but as loyal to their father, ruler of the Bloodaxe clan on Shasu, a planet where there’s only ever an uneasy peace between assorted parties. When the royal family is slaughtered, war seems inevitable. The additional complication is the Imperium, forces of the Motherworld, with the power to annihilate entire planets.

A criticism of the movie was there was so much going on and so much to take in that it lacked a clearly defined focus. Here there is a focus, but so much of House of the Bloodaxe means absorbing tradition and belief. Magdalene Visaggio translates Snyder’s background material and an indication of what’s to come is the hunt and kill shown over the opening pages accompanied by ponderous narrative captions.

What plays out is a form of tragedy pitting the person too blind to see against those who can see only too well, with the respect demanded of rank blocking free and open discussion. Everything is very well illustrated by Clark Bint, who devises a world and its people, giving them personality and nobility, and contrasts tradition with progress as represented by the Imperium.

People who enjoyed Rebel Moon may well also enjoy the insight into the earlier incarnations of some characters, but anyone coming to House of the Bloodaxe cold will find for all the trappings there’s not a great enough twist on the familiar.