Character: Big Barda
Publisher: DC Comics
Artist: Ming Doyle
Reviewers: P:R Staff
(Larger Version)

Dean: Like most characters granted fictional life by the mythical hand of Jack Kirby, Big Barda is a powerhouse not just in physical strength, but of depth of character. Raised by Granny Goodness as a pro-Darkseid warrior, Barda’s life and mission took a great big turn towards superherodom when she met Darkseid’s adopted son, Scott Free, AKA Mister Miracle. Together, they battled evil and protected innocents on Earth and elsewhere, often as members of the Justice League of America. Barda was recently killed, and in honor of her memory (and in anticipation of her resurrection), Ming Doyle sent in this excellent redesign of her costume. The primary-colored headgear, mail armor, and gold framework all give this Barda that magical otherworldly feel that best suits the New Gods.

Vito: I think the thing that stands out the most about this is that it’s as far from Kirby as you can get without being so unfamiliar that you forget she is a Kirby character. To backtrack just a second, you have to know that in terms of character/costume design, Kirby was unmatched. He was innovative, he was colorful and he was in a league of his own. Ming took her own artistic ability and combined it with Kirby’s design to make what might be a sleeker design than the original. If you look closely, it looks like her original costume is under Ming’s additions, which is one of the things I like so much about this. I love those chap-like pants! She looks ready to kick tail! I’d love to see what the back of the costume looks like but if it’s as good as the front, this is an awesome functional costume for an awesome warrior.

Chris: Ditto what Vito said. This is far and away from the Kirby style in so many ways, but not in a derisive way. In a way, Ming just took Kirby’s work and went a step further with her own sensibilities. The hexagons Kirby used have been replaced with the circular motif, and the boots are all kids of awesome. The headpiece is less helmet than the Kirby original, but I’d like to see more on how Ming’s design plays out.

Rachel: Honestly, much of what I have to say will be echoing previous comments. Ming does a great job of taking Kirby’s initial design and adapting it to her own style without compromising what made it such a great costume to begin with. This is a Barda who’s immediately recognizable as a powerful warrior – and whose costume is still distinctly otherworldly. The regal collar and headgear may be my favorite part of the design: they’re where Ming strays furthest from Kirby’s design, but they’re still Barda to a tee.

Joel: Ming has really tapped into what makes Barda iconic. Here she is, Queen of the Brawl: strong and beautiful, dignified and brutal, fierce and loving. People who remember Ming’s earlier designs will surely agree that DC should hire her to make-over everyone’s hair in the DCU. Although I have a little trouble telling where Barda’s hair begins and ends. There are black armor plates in there, right? Perhaps a slight shift in color is called for. Despite that confusion, the headgear is brilliant. As others have observed, it’s a beautiful blending of Kirby and Ming’s individual approaches to ornament. The forehead piece under her bangs emphasizes Barda’s level gaze, and makes her look intimidating as all get-out. It’s interesting that Vito sees the circular motif as a departure from Kirby. I thought they were a reference to The King’s most famous visual conceit, the Kirby Dot. If that’s the case, I think the three circular cut-aways are clever, but I’m not entirely sure they work. Although it may not be the cut-aways as much as the bodysuit they cut away from. It looks a little standard spandex superheroey. It would be nice to see more of the armored elements seen from around the neck and back carried through the rest of the outfit.

Character: Big Barda
Publisher: DC Comics
Artist: Chad Raymond
Reviewer: Chris Pitzer and Joel Priddy

Chris Pitzer:

Big Barda. If there is MORE woman in comics, I can’t think of her. I’m not all that familiar with the character in details. Or, let’s say if I was, I don’t have the memory that I use to. I know the basics… She’s Mr. Miracle’s main squeeze, she can kick most anyone’s butt, and she was created by Jack Kirby. And… if she was created by Jack Kirby, that causes an instant woosh of shimmering metal, inkblack power dots and really thick fingers.

And now we have Chad’s version.

I like that Chad make’s no pretention in his ability at illustration.

Instead of a 3/4 view with photoshoped lensflares, we get what a straight on view that is reminiscent of the a fertility statue I recall from my art history books. If it’s not obvious, I picked to review this design because I think it’s one of the best that has been done. I love clean simple lines, and this design has it in spades. But let’s start with the best and work our way around. I LOVE the black arm bands and leg bands that can get “lost” in her waves of flowing hair. A very neat trick that isn’t overdone.

Also, the costume reminds of the motherbox for some reason. (Disclaimer time.. I might assume this design is based on the new Mr. Miracle design? I haven’t read that comic, but just found out it’s not even Scott Free, so it’s not really Mr. Miracle in my mind. Back to the review…) The inclusion of the miniskirt gets a big thumbs up for retrochic. I also think the new face painting would add much interest to talking heads.. when they appear in comics. But IS it face painting or a mask or something else? And working our way around the design.. I’m not sure about the feet. I think she needs souls. And maybe some toe coverings. But then again, it is cool to see painted toes, and if they’re indestructible, yeah, why not go for comfort!

And best of all.. she’ll give the Jack of Hearts a run for one of the toughest costumes to draw. Rock.

Joel Priddy:

When I first saw this design at thumbnail size, I was pretty excited. We all know that Kirby was one of the Great Original Visionaries of American Comics, and that the Fourth World stories were Kirby at his most Kirbyesque. Not many people seem to be able to hone in on that weird Kirby vibe, and it’s sad to see his stuff get slowly homogenized over time. This thumbnail didn’t look like Kirby, but it seems to share in the same essential weirdness. And that is rare and interesting.

But then I clicked on it, and saw the enlarged version. Micro-mini-skirt? Stockings with garters? Headlight boob cups? On Big Barda?

Barda’s not some little club-scene sexpot. Comics are full of those, and I’m not sure we really need another. Barda is one of superherodom’s more realized female characters. She’s more Hestia-played-by-Lucy-Lawless than Circe-played-by-Catharine-Zeta-Jones. I highly recommend Michael Chabon’s excellent ode to Big Barda Woman of Valor. It’s a smart little essay, and an astute articulation of Barda. Some of this character can be seen in the face, which is the best part of the design, but the rest of the design undermines it.

I hadn’t planned on reviewing this design, because I didn’t want to seem to be slamming it. But, the truth is, I’ve thought about it several times since I first saw it. There is something quite arresting going on here. I’d like to applaud the visual sensibility that informs this design, and encourage it to be taken further. Embrace that weirdness. But this design is not right for this character.