A review by storyorc
Britannia, Vol. 1 by Dave Sharpe, Patricia Martin, Cary Nord, Juan Ryp, Juan José Ryp, Peter Milligan, Jordie Bellaire, Raul Allen

3.0

Falco remains the Roman detective to beat but Britannia's Antonius is an acceptable runner-up. Despite eldritch horror, druid warfare, and the rare opportunity to see the English playing the underdogs in a story, the true bright spark is Rubria and her Vestal Virgins. They operate as an elite political faction with a dash of magic. Seeing Rubria go toe-to-toe with a delightfully-disgusting Nero, Roman misogyny, and basic human decency to pull strings for their chosen champion 'detectioner' in the field is a treat.

If book two has more of the Virgins and the same brilliantly-detailed art, I can overlook an unremarkable protagonist and heavy male gaze. Less BBC Sherlock style deduction would be a benefit though - at one point Antonius (correctly!) concludes that someone must have erectile dysfunction because he looks tired.