Viking #1

I remember seeing an ad for this comic a few months back, I had nearly forgot it till I saw that it came out this week. I figured I would check it out if it got good reviews. But once I notice it is not only 2.99 with roughly 24 pages or so (didn’t bother to count) with no ads, but it was extra in length. The comic was roughly ¾ of an inch longer in width and what I’m guessing is 1/8 of an inch taller then most comics. Some one had told me this is the “golden age size” of comics, but I wouldn’t know, so I’ll take there word on it. So I figured I splurge a little and buy it. Not only that, but I was short one comic, so it work out for the best. 

So Viking is written by Ivan Brandon and drawn by Nic Klein; two names I am unfamiliar with.  Brandon’s written felt right for this comic. I was afraid at first the comic would be filled with Nordic terms that I would not know; thankfully this was not the case. The story and dialog was easy to get into. The plot was a little lacking, but it’s the first issue so I can’t harp on it for that. This issue mainly focused on introducing the cast. We got two Viking brothers, Finn the smart and calm one; and Egil the slightly more savage of the two. After terrorizing, killing, and stealing from some workers (to what profession I was not sure of), the brothers spare the life of one formally constipated worker, Hrolf, to send a message to King Brum. The message sent was basically a big “F-You” to the king, which Brum did not take to kindly to; poor Hrolf.

Speaking of King Brum, I was getting ready to hate him as the evil dictator like King, however this didn’t seem to be the case when they showed him and his daughter, Annikki, hunting in the worlds. He is simply a king who wants his descendents to claim as much land as possible.

Back to Finn and Egil, the two brothers have returned to their grandfather Zur’s land, where we are introduced to Ketil, the younger brother of our two anti-heroes.

All seem well and good for our cast, till the older brother of one of the workers Egil killed, show up to return the favor.

So that’s the general plot of the first Issue of Viking, I know that my description make the story seem lacking; but trust me, it was well worth the 2.99, even more so with the art.

Klein has a unique style to his drawing, that had many elements to it that reminded me a bit of other artist I like. To include Tony Moore and Paul Pope, but that’s my opinion really.