The latter of that list may cause you a small double take, but it’s that exact mix of genres that features in this four issue mini series from IDW. Now, you could say that the last time such an ambitious coupling was ventured was Cowboys and Aliens which worked as comic before getting lost on the big screen. Here, time is spent setting the up the scenario as you would probably expect. There are two warring clans vying for power in the lands of the Laxdale clan. With their warrior king slain by an errant arrow, it is up to the sole heir, Hrolf to lead his people into battle against the The Wolf AKA the traitorous Arrek.. Upon the battle field, the pair face off against each other one final time only for green fire to separate the pair and lead them to unearth some shattering discoveries.
Josh Vann is the writer of the first volume of The Spider King, which has been broken down to fit in with the IDW mini series format. Vann’s story is well crafted if not wholly original. Vikings have been popular for a while know with the TV show and of course, Marvel’s own Viking God doing well. Still, clans fighting clans in drab scenery isn’t for everyone. Coupled with the idea that King Hrolf is a reluctant King and there is a reluctant Princess of sorts from a neighbouring land, gives the book an almost Disney feel; one that is quickly washed away with some colourful language. It is the language that reminds you that this is a book not aimed at kids, yet the comparison of Disney like characters and vulgar language is as much an oxymoron as Vikings and aliens. Vann does well setting the characters for what they are worth in as much as they are only there to be changed or altered at some point. True, characters can change throughout a story; I for one prefer change to be from internal source rather than by extra terrestrial means. Vann does manage to generate a sense of pity in the reader for Hrolf who is learning the life of obligation, which is mirrored by the want to be away Princess, as is their distaste for said obligations.
Simone D’Armini delivers an art that is vaguely reminiscent of Shirtless, Bear Fighter. I say reminiscent as it is by know means as colourful or as cartoony as the bearded wonder. Instead, we get a lot of fur coats and odd-shaped proboscises. I can see why this style of art has been used; the story is of a bygone age, as such the art should reflect that. The clumpy style doesn’t detract from the story, once you get used to it. Instead, it allows the reader to become more invested in the book. As well as the art works with the Viking, things get a little chaotic when it comes to the aliens, losing some of the already shaky cohesion. Colors are provided by Adrian Bloch who goes for styles of the same colors at times. This is great for building eerie atmosphere for the most part, but can give each location a sense of uniformity.
The book, whilst not for me, certainly has some quirks that I would like to see further developed. If a mix-match of genres featuring swearing Disney like characters are your cup of tea, then this book is right up your alley.
Writing – 3.5 Stars
Art – 3 Stars
Colors – 3 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Josh Vann
Art by; Simone D’Armini
Colors by; Adrian Bloch
Published by; IDW
Author Profile
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I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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