First Look – Dark Fantasy Series BRIAR Returns to BOOM! Studios this May

February 21, 2024

1–2 minutes

This May sees the launch of the second volume of Christopher Cantwell’s BRIAR, a series we called “a triumph of world-building, scene-setting and dark fantasy excess” when it first hit shelves back in late 2022.

Cantwell will be joined by rising star artist Alex Lins on the second volume of the BOOM! Studios series, which featured in our “Top 10 Comics of 2022” list.

Here’s the official synopsis:

In the wake of slaying Deadcrawl, Grendrid’s deadly henchman, Briar Rose and her companions have become quite the band of bounty hunters with a reputation for murder and mayhem that belies their chivalrous intentions. But overzealous local authorities are not the only foes Briar will face, as Spider hatches a plan that will get them closer than ever to Briar’s malevolent fairy godmother–to the castle of Grendrid herself!

Speaking about the series, Cantwell said: “Briar focuses on people who have fallen out of the grander story, or feel they have no place in it at all. This book is what happens when the entire fairy tale comes apart, and only a few, fringe characters are left to pick up the pieces, having to forge their own radical destinies instead of being handed happy endings.”

Line added: “Briar is for anyone with heart: it is visceral, it is poetic, and the protagonists go much deeper than most heroes do.”

“I cannot overstate how thrilled I am that Briar is back for its next chapter,” added series editor Allyson Gronowitz. “Chris is back with a jaw-dropping new arc, and the talented Alex Lins is joining us for Briar’s second outing. I couldn’t be happier!”

BRIAR #5 will be available in comic shops and digital platforms May 15th, 2024, and you can feast your eyes on some preview artwork below: