BRZRKR: Bloodlines, Vol. 2

BRZRKR: Bloodlines #3-4

by Keanu Reeves (Writer), Matt Kindt (Writer), Jason Aaron (Writer)

Two epic stories starring Keanu Reeves’ National Bestselling franchise, soon to be a major feature film from Netflix!

In The Lost Book of B, the immortal warrior becomes a pawn of none other than Genghis Khan himself, the brutal warlord of the Mongol Empire. As the berserker is used as a pawn to destroy, devastate, and pave the way for the Silk Road, he must battle against his seemingly unstoppable violent urges and break free from the hold the warlord has over him. B. finds himself in the snowy wilds of Pre Civil War Missouri, and caught up in the conflict involving a land baroness’s father and an abolitionist. After a deadly series of events, he's mistaken for an angel, one to be used for vengeful purposes. While B. insists that he’s no angelic figure, it’s only a matter of time before the truth is revealed to those involved…

Renowned filmmaker and record-shattering comic creator Keanu Reeves reunites with original series co-writer Matt Kindt and original series artist Ron Garney, while New York Times bestselling and award-winning writer Jason Aaron and artist TBD weave a pair of stories set within B.’s mysterious past!

Collects BRZRKR: The Lost Book of B #1, BRZRKR: A Faceful of Bullets #1.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Horror, Science Fiction, Adventure, Action

112 pages, Paperback

First published December 18, 2024

About the author

Keanu Charles Reeves is a Canadian actor. Born in Beirut and raised in Toronto, Reeves began acting in theatre productions and in television films before making his feature film debut in Youngblood (1986). He had his breakthrough role in the science fiction comedy Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989), and he reprised his role in its sequels. He gained praise for playing a hustler in the independent drama My Own Private Idaho (1991) and established himself as an action hero with leading roles in Point Break (1991) and Speed (1994).

Following several box office failures, Reeves's performance in the horror film The Devil's Advocate (1997) was well received. Greater stardom came for playing Neo in the science fiction series The Matrix, beginning in 1999. He played John Constantine in Constantine (2005) and starred in the romantic drama The Lake House (2006), the science fiction thriller The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008), and the crime thriller Street Kings (2008). Following another commercially down period, Reeves made a successful comeback by playing the titular assassin in the John Wick film series, beginning in 2014.

In addition to acting, Reeves has directed the film Man of Tai Chi (2013). He has played bass guitar for the band Dogstar and pursued other endeavours such as writing and philanthropy.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 3 out of 5]

(B) 75% | More than Satisfactory
Notes: Two prairie tales though different scales (armies vs. thugs), both awful gory, but as to story, the first is one big shrug.

*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ The Lost Book of B. ◦ A Faceful of Bullets

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

More gonzo tales of Unute. This time he goes a little (ahistorically) Genghis Khan and also slings a six-gun in the Old West. If you read the first one of these Bloodlines volumes you know what you're in for.


You should know by now that when these guys give a title like Faceful of Bullets it isn't a clever metaphor.

[Oscar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This dude loves to kill!

[Chiara ❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the highly disappointing previous installments of this series, it was actually a nice volume. I usually love the whole how-this-character-affected-historic-events trope, so I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple of good stories from the Brzrkr's past lives, fighting against and then for Ghengis Khan, and saving a young woman from her tyrant father in 1800's Kansas.

[Griffin Pierce · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 edgy 5 me

[major metcalf · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one felt weaker then the first and maybe it is due to its more grounded setting. I like Volume 1 for its fantasy elements and them being almost totally gone in this one made it a little less engaging. I think the second story is a little stronger but also very familiar if you've read a wolverine comic in the last ten years.
I'd like to see more adventures of B and I hope that happens, he feels like a fun character for all the weird occultism in WWII.

[William]

This volume may not be the strongest in the series, but it does offer a glimpse into the character's deeper, more emotional side beneath all the intense action. While the story is filled with violent adventures, it’s at its best when it slows down and reflects on the character’s tortured feelings. You can definitely see those moments of reflection, giving the story more depth alongside the blood-soaked scenes. If you're interested in exploring more about storytelling and character depth, Aavot
offers some intriguing insights

[pastiesandpages - Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

BRZRKR: Bloodlines volumes 1 & 2

Following the 12 issue BRZRKR series there were four one-shot longer comic books with complete storylines looking at our berserker, B, at different periods in history.
For more Keanu-ness here's what you get:

Bloodlines volume 1 📚

💥 BRZRKR: Poetry of Madness
Written and illustrated by Steve Skroce.
A tale of utter carnage and gore drenched battles as B (or Unute as they call him) guards the kingdom of Atlantis.
Treachery sees the calling of a monster to our realm. Skroce mashes up Atlantean myth with HP Lovecraft as Cthulhu appears. More mayhem ensues. Atlantis is doomed surely?

💥 BRZRKR: Fallen Empire
Written by Mattson Tomlin. Illustrated by Rebekah Isaacs.
A beautifully illustrated tale set centuries ago in a tale of love, manipulation, a fallen civilization and UTTER CARNAGE. More tender moments and character growth than in Poetry of Madness but it still has its fair share of gore.

Bloodlines volume 2 📚

💥 BRZRKR: A Faceful of Bullets
Written by Jason Aaron and Salvador Larroca.
Exceptional artwork and a fantastic plot. A western comic set in the Kansas Territory in the 1850s and 1860s. B is The Storm Who Walks, a legendary gunslinger.
Dramatic plot and less bloody than volume 1 although it still has gory moments such as heads ripped off and a horse torn apart & some brutal gun action. So just a little thoughtful carnage then.

💥 BRZRKR: The Lost Book of B
The main series creative team is back! Written by Keanu Reeves & Matt Kindt. Art by Ron Garney.
B is coerced into fighting for Gengis Khan. Very cool story.
Obviously a quiet, introspective piece. Just kidding 😂. It's carnage. UTTER CARNAGE. Khan, conquest, warriors, berserker rages.

These stories are the hidden history of our world

Overall I give these two volumes ✨✨✨✨ 4 stars.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lost Book of B - 3/5
A Faceful of Bullets - 4/5

I definitely want to see more writers do their spin on the character in different periods of history. Didn't love the art, but the vibe and writing was great.

[BRAMBILLA SIMONE · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Non toccare la pistola"

[Maciej · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kiedy w zeszłym roku zakończyła się dwunastoodcinkowa seria „BRZRKR”, wielu czytelników – zamiast katharsis – poczuło niedosyt. Reeves i Kindt zamknęli wprawdzie pierwszą oś fabularną, ale mitologia nieśmiertelnego wojownika o lakonicznym imieniu B. dopiero zaczynała pulsować. Linia „Bloodlines” powstała właśnie po to, by uzupełniać białe plamy w jego trzydziestotysięcznej biografii. Drugi tom cyklu dostarcza dwa autonomiczne one‑shoty osadzone na przeciwległych krańcach historii: w imperium Czyngis‑chana i na pograniczu Missouri w połowie XIX wieku.

Na pierwszy ogień idzie komiks „A Faceful of Bullets” (sc. Jason Aaron, rys. Salvador Larroca). To klasyczny, brudny western: preria drży od stukotu kopyt, a prawo egzekwuje strach, nie szeryf. B. – dla miejscowych „Burza, która Chodzi” – trafia na ślady ślubnego pogromu; przy życiu pozostaje tylko młoda panna, Maybell. Dziewczyna żąda zemsty na własnym ojcu‑baronie, który wymordował gości, aby zatrzymać ją przy sobie. Aaron – mistrz moralnej szarości ze „Skalpów” i „Thora: Gromowładnego” – rozgrywa tu fascynujący duet: stoickie milczenie B. kontrapunktuje rozhisteryzowana determinacja kobiety. Im bliżej finału, tym wyraźniej widzimy, że to Maybell jest bohaterką dramatu, a nie nieśmiertelny berserker. Dzięki temu historia unika gry w „Rambo w poncho” i zyskuje emocjonalny ciężar rzadki w serii znanej głównie z rozpruwania trzewi.

Larroca błyszczy detalem – krwawa pożoga w świetle zachodzącego słońca wygląda niemal malarsko – choć fotorealistyczne twarze czasem zgrzytają z kreskówkową przemocą. Kolor Lee Loughridge’a tłumi czerwień krwi w ochrach preriowego pyłu, przez co gore nie zamienia plansz w plamiste puzzle.

Zupełnie inną energię ma „The Lost Book of B” – powrót oryginalnego duetu Reeves/Kindt i rysownika Rona Garneya. B. zostaje zwerbowany przez samego Temudżyna; ma stać się żywym taranem torującym drogę Jedynemu Chanowi. Scenariusz to w dużej mierze ciąg bitewnych winiet: desant konnicy, mackowy katapult, płonące jurty. Garney – bardziej szkicowy niż w serii głównej – rozgrywa brutalność z niemal barbarzyńskim zapałem; krew rozpryskuje się szerokim pociągnięciem pędzla niczym tusz w japońskiej rycinie. Problem w tym, że ludzka stawka jest tu szczątkowa: Khan kusi potęgą, B. odmawia, wyrywa serca – koniec. Gdyby album zbierał dziesięć takich epizodów, byłaby to satysfakcjonująca kronika rzezi; jako samodzielne opowiadanie „Lost Book” pozostawia wrażenie notatki na marginesie.

Cały tom działa najlepiej, gdy przerywa kaskadę przemocy momentem autorefleksji. Scena, w której B. przyznaje, że zabił „więcej, niż pamięta”, a mimo to wciąż boi się samotności, odbija się echem w obu opowieściach. Aaron wyciska z tej frazy maksimum: desperacja Maybell zmusza B., by położył przemoc na wagę moralnej ceny. Reeves z Kindtem tylko muskają temat, jakby bali się spowolnić rzeź.

BOOM! tradycyjnie dba o swoje komiksy zarówno cyfrowe jak i fizyczne, galeria okładek artystów to jak zwykle dobry smaczek ale nie uświadczymy jednak posłowia, szkicownika czy kroniki prac – szkoda, bo zaplecze researchu Aarona czy notatki Garneya z pracy nad mongolską kampanią byłyby smakowitym bonusem.

„Bloodlines, Vol. 2” to krwisty, efektowny, lecz mało odżywczy stek. „Faceful of Bullets” broni się świetną dramaturgią i artystyczną chemią Aarona z Larrocą; „Lost Book of B” to stylowa, ale powierzchowna dymna zasłona. Seria nadal dostarcza adrenaliny, lecz fani, którzy czekają na poszerzenie mitologii B., poczują déjà vu. Jeśli jednak Waszą miarą jest liczba wyrwanych kończyn na stronę – kupujcie w ciemno.

Przyjemność 4/5
Styl: 3,1/5
Historia: 3,2/5

Ocena: 3,46/5
goodreads - 3/5
thestorygraph - 3,5/5
lubimyczytac - 7/10

[Frank Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads liegt falsch, wenn angegeben wird, dass dieser Comic erst ab dem 27.02. erhältlich ist. Das Buch kann schon jetzt erworben werden, z.B. über diesen Amazon Affiliatelink.

Dieses Buch ist zwar Teil einer Serie, beinhaltet jedoch zwei in sich abgeschlossene Abenteuer, die unabhängig von der Reihe gelesen (und verstanden) werden können. Dadurch, dass beide Geschichte unter sowohl unterschiedlichen Autoren wie auch unterschiedlichen Zeichner entstanden sind, lesen sie sich auch losgelöst voneinander.

„Das Verlorenen Buch von B.“ erzählt die Geschichte des Berserkers unter dem Einfluss von Dschingis Khan, der nur mit seiner Hilfe in Asien so erfolgreich wüten konnte. Mit Hilfe einer Art Mönch oder Beraters wird der Berserker an Dschingis Khan gebunden, bis er herausfindet, wie er den Bann lösen kann. Er wird zum Spielball der Mächtigen und es dauert eine Weile bis er herausfindet, wie er aus dieser Situation herauskommt.

Die zweite Geschichte „Für einen Kopf voller Kugeln“ spielt im „Wilden Westen“ und erzählt, wie der Berserker in die Fronten zwischen einer jungen Frau und ihrem Vater gerät. Wie er von Asien in die USA kam, spielt keine Rolle und ist nicht bekannt. Wenig verwunderlich wird er schnell als Racheengel angesehen, obwohl er jegliche Art von Heroisierung ablehnt.

Beiden Geschichten sind die typischen Merkmale der Reihe gemein. Sie werden sehr brutal dargestellt erzählt und der Berserker ist unsterblich, selbst wenn er seinen Körper verliert. Er erwacht einfach irgendwann in einem neuen.

Beide Geschichten leben nicht von ihrem Tiefgang, sondern dienen hautsächlich der brutalen Unterhaltung für Leser, die es gerne blutig mögen, denn selbstredend nehmen die Action Szenen einen nicht unerheblichen Teil der Geschichten ein.

[Alex Sarll]

I read this in the omnibus edition, which at least for the Netgalley ARC makes the counterintuitive decision to put it before Volume 1, despite that upending both the publication order and the internal chronology. Those were tales of the antediluvian past, literally in at least one case; these bring the unstoppable killing machine with a suspicious resemblance to creator Keanu into the margins of recorded history. Perhaps the logic is that this way you open with the regular BRZRKR creative team, whose The Lost Book Of B is clever in how it weaves him as a suppressed factor into the known facts of Genghis Khan's reign, though loses points for a) not quite being able to decide if it's 'Khan' or 'the Khan' when he's being mentioned sans forename and b) feeling obliged to drop in a reference to the best-known fact about Genghis as if this were some ghastly biopic. It's fine, but not a patch on A Faceful Of Bullets, where Jason Aaron, Salvador Larroca and Lee Loughridge unleash B in the Wild West. The story has its cake and eats it in a thoroughly entertaining way, the ancient warrior doing his best to turn a young woman aside from the path of vengeance even as he cuts a swathe of carnage across mountain and prairie. Basically, if you want John Wick with six-guns, and none of that bulletproof suit crap because the Keanu character can just get shot to pieces and keep going anyway, then this is the comic for you. And if not then I guess go read something tediously autobiographical that got rave reviews in the broadsheets and TCJ.

[Petra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dieser Band erzählt zwei weitere Geschichten über den unsterblichen Protagonisten der BRZRKR-Reihe. In der ersten Geschichte schließt er sich Dschingis Khans Eroberungsarmee an, während er in der zweiten durch das Amerika des 19. Jahrhunderts streift.

Auch in seiner Vergangenheit waren seine Erlebnisse vor allem eins, sehr blutig, was vor allem in der ersten Geschichte stark zum Tragen kommt, aber auch gut zum Thema passt. In der zweiten erlebt man einen etwas anderen Charakter, hier geht es nicht nur ums Töten, der Protagonist scheint gesättigter und gibt seinen Handlungen einen gewissen Sinn. Man merkt, dass die beiden Geschichten von unterschiedlichen Autoren geschrieben wurden. Mir gefällt das gut, man erhält so unterschiedliche Blickwinkel auf den Protagonisten. Interessant sind auch die Einblicke auf die, die sich mit diesem Wesen offenbar schon seit langer Zeit beschäftigen und es erforschen.

Auch optisch unterscheiden sich die Geschichten stark, auch hier waren unterschiedliche Künstler am Werk, sowohl zeichnend als auch kolorierend. Am Ende gibt es zudem wieder eine Covergalerie.

Der Comicband erhält zwei sehr unterschiedliche Geschichten, die Erlebnisse aus der Vergangenheit des unsterblichen Protagonisten erzählen. Mir hat vor allem die zweite sehr gut gefallen. Der Band ist eine interessante Erweiterung zur Trilogie, und bereits der zweite Band mit Geschichten, die unabhängig von den Ereignissen der Trilogie sind.

[stefanb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollywoodstar und Comic-Autor? Keanu Reeves zeigt anhand von "BRZRKR 5", dass das problemlos funktioniert. "BRZRKR 5 - Blutlinien 2" erweitert die Story von B. um zwei spannende Geschichten.
"Es war keine Schlacht. Sondern ein Gemetzel." [16f]
"Das verlorene Buch von B." wurde von Ron Garney gezeichnet. Man erkennt deutliche zeichnerische Unterschiede zu "Für einen Kopf voll Kugeln", welches von Salvador Larroca gezeichnet wurde. Wir wechseln von Dschingis Khan zur Ära des Wilden Westens. So unterschiedlich die beiden Geschichten sind, so abwechslungsreich sind sie auch. Ich finde, dass sich Story und Protagonist im Vergleich zum ersten Band wesentlich verbessert haben. Es werden mehr hintergründige Fragen gestellt. Das macht es auch für die Lesenden spannender. Fragen werden aufgeworfen und erörtert. Es geht wie immer um Macht, Land und Ruhm. Aber auch um das Gefühl in einem Käfig zu sitzen, sich und sein Handeln zu hinterfragen.
"Um einen Gott gefangen zu halten, muss man den Käfig unsichtbar machen." [45]
Die Lesenden können gespannt sein, ob dieses Vorhaben gelingt und wie sich unser Protagonist im laufe der beiden Geschichten weiterentwickelt.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I would like to Thank NetGalley, the Author and Artist and the Publisher for this ARC.

I don't know what or where it went wrong but the last two comics in this volume are also bundled in "BRZRKR: Bloodlines Vol.1" which confused and disappointed me. But is perfectly understandable since this book collects the whole story, but confusing due to the time-line being inconstant. Other than that there are no complaints and I really enjoyed it.
Nonetheless, I am, and will always be a fan of probably everything involving Keanu Reeves.

This is Bloody, Violent, Gruesome and (for me) a PERFECT read for the days between Christmas and New Year.
It's like "John Wick" but in graphic novel form and the MC is just a Killer with (little) morals instead of a Vigilante with a conscience.
This time we travel to the West in the 1800 and to the Mongol Empire during Genghis Khan's reign.

[Holly Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

This installment was really solid and did a great job of exploring the trauma he carries from warfare and bloodshed. The backstory added a lot of depth to his character and helped contextualize his actions moving forward. The pacing felt just right, with plenty of action that never felt overwhelming, and the dialogue was well-balanced and purposeful. On top of that, the art style is absolutely stunning and elevates the story even further. Overall, this left me genuinely excited to continue the series and learn more about this character.

[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Die Abenteuer durch die Zeit gehen weiter für den unsterblichen Mann, der eine verblüffende Ähnlichkeit mit dem jungen Keanu Reeves hat. Das ist zwar einer der Gründe, warum ich diese Comics mag, aber es gibt auch einige großartige Handlungsstränge, die komplizierter sind, als man vielleicht denkt. Außerdem sind die Bilder wunderschön, und die verschiedenen Illustratoren scheinen den Ton der Geschichte perfekt zu verstehen und sich daran anzupassen.

Proseguono le avventure nel tempo dell'uomo immortale che assomiglia in modo impressionante a Keanu Reeves da giovane. Fermo restando che fa parte delle ragioni per cui mi piacciono questi fumetti, ci sono anche delle belle trame, piú complicate di quello che si potrebbe pensare. Inoltre i disegni sono belli e i vari illustratori sembrano capire alla perfezione il tono della storia e ci si adeguano.

Ich habe vom Verlag ein kostenloses digitales Vorab-Exemplar des Buches im Austausch für eine ehrliche Rezension erhalten.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one actually is pretty good. There are only so many stories you can tell with this character, but the Jason Aaron/Salvador Larroca one, "A Faceful of Bullets," is well worth the read and the artwork is impeccable. A story set in pre-Civil War times about a young woman running away from her violent, overbearing father. The other tale, about how B. first helped Genghis Khan, before playing a role in his downfall, is all right, but no great shakes.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the most developed story in the franchise but this volume does manage to deliver some of the tortured sadness underlying the character amidst the blood-soaked adventures he cuts across history. The series is best when it's reflective as well as violent and there's definite glimpses of that here.

[Laurla2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

- 4 stars.

Two epic stories in Keanu Reeves’ National Bestselling franchise, soon to be a major feature film from Netflix. Collects BRZRKR: The Lost Book of B #1, BRZRKR: A Faceful of Bullets #1.

the first story is in the time of ghengis khan, the second is in the american wild west.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this out of order, apparently, which I didn't realize when I got it at the library. That's the bad news. The good news is that I apparently have three or four other volumes of Brzrkr to read, yay!

[Maegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 - overall
Fallen Empire - 5 STAR
The Lost Book of B - 4.5/4.75
A Faceful of Bullets - 4
Poetry of Madness - 3.5 (liked the Atlantis but didn’t really the rest plus the art was not really for me)

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series reads better in the short stories then it does in the longer arcs, and both of these are superior to the tales told in volume 1. Looking forward to more.

[Adam Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

These two really didn't add anything to the mythos. A throwaway re-conned story about Gengis Khan and a frontier shoo-em-up.

[Jason Power · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh…. Not nearly as good as other instalments of the BRZRKR franchise

[Nick Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great stories over all

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snapshots of his life and being used by people.

Gatling Gun Mayhem

The Storm Who Walks.

[Chris Greensmith · Rating 2 out of 5]

"It's not the world that ruined you! It's you who's ruined the world!"