Comic Book Pick of the Week: Dec. 31
By Lory Gil
Northlanders #13 (Vertigo Press)
Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: Ryan Kelly
Cover: Massimo Carnevale
Warning: Spoiler-Alert. I talk about what happens in this, and previous issues.
Just over a year ago, Brian Wood began his tale of the Norsemen. The first arc, Sven the Returned chronicled the story of a wandering Northlander who returns to his homeland to reclaim his rightful place. This current arc, The Cross and the Hammer centers on a lone man and his young daughter who are being chased by the invading Scots. It is apparent that the father, Mangus, will do anything to protect his daughter, Brigid, including killing a pack of dogs.
In issue #13, Scottish soldier Rangar finally catches up to Mangus and Brigid. Out of fear, Bridig flees while Mangus attacks the Scotsman. After the fight, Mangus calls to his daughter, but she never answers. He fears her dead and takes out his rage on the innocent. This story shows the dangerous side of this heroic man. He is not living by any set of noble laws, but only exists to safeguard his daughter. How far will he go?
Wood has written an epic tale of ancient Norse history that is compelling and exciting. He has rejuvenated the nearly forgotten tale of the Vikings of old. The men of his stories are murderous and uncouth, and those are the good guys. There is plenty of raping and pillaging throughout the pages of Northlanders, but not for shock value. No, the violence within this story is used to show us the way of the Viking. There was nothing wrong with beating a woman to death for lying, or invading a village and killing every living person. Wood’s main characters have a true heart, though. Sven was willing to give his enemy’s concubine a hero’s death (he let her hold a soldier’s sword while he killed her), and Mangus killed an Irishman to avenge the death of a stranger and protect two orphaned children. Although the time was dark, the stories are full of good triumphing over evil.
The cover art, by Massimo Carnevale, represents the fierce and intense chase of Mangus and Brigid. The steaming breath rising from the lead dog’s mouth is a subtle symbol of the harsh land that the two have to endure while being hunted like animals. While the cover has an almost abstract style to it, the interior art by Ryan Kelly is precise and depictive. Characters are drawn gritty and ruthless. Sometimes, comics that depict violence can over do it, showing excessive blood splatter or organs shooting out of a body. But Kelly keeps the gore to a minimum, allowing the story to tell the brutality.
Northlanders is an original story that brings to life the tales of bloodlust and heroism that existed centuries ago. Part three of The Cross and the Hammer is a perfect example of Wood’s ability to write an exciting story and Kelly’s ability to depict the cruel life of the Norsemen. Pick up this comic to get a gripping and brilliant chronicle of the Vikings.
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