Northlanders #3 – Review

By Brian Wood (writer), Davide Gianfelce (art), Dave McCaig (colors)

The third time’s a charm is what some say. Sometimes you just strike out, is what I say. After reading through the first two issues of Northlanders, I was ready to give up on the series. It’s full of unlikeable characters, awful dialogue, and a plot that’ll make you yawn. Yet, I decided to give this series one last chance before passing it off. After all, Brian Wood is just too talented to not give a benefit of a doubt.

I was wrong. Northlanders #3, while not as dreadful as the previous two issues, just doesn’t contain enough substance for me to spend my money on. Perhaps this 8-part story will be better served as a trade paperback, but on a monthly scale, it’s a waste of money. Like last issue, nothing happens. We see Sven hunt, have more sex, and kill some of his uncle’s men. The plot doesn’t advance and we don’t learn much more about Sven or his motivation for staying in this wasteland. This story is just too decompressed. Perhaps the only notable things worth mentioning are his uncle’s a bit more spooked now and he has somewhat of an unlikely ally. He also likes to wear stag heads (aren’t those heavy?!), while murdering soldiers who’re doing nothing more than hunting.

There’s not much writing in this issue – most of it is a showcase for Davide Gianfelice’s excellent storytelling skills. He does a phenominal job with the script he’s given, but to be honest, he deserves to be working on a better title. Northlanders is just a waste. If you love Brian Wood, support him by picking up DMZ. It’s okay not to like everything he does. No one’s perfect. (Grade: D)

– J. Montes

Northlanders #2 – Review

By: Brian Wood (Writer), David Gianfelice (Pencils)

Northlanders is everything DMZ is not. Where as DMZ issues are, for the most part, self-contained stories, Northlanders stories are decompressed and pointless. DMZ’s art is jam-packed with with attention to details while Northlanders’ is a barren wasteland. However, David Gianfelice’s art in Northlanders isn’t bad. It’s very good. One could easily follow the book without ever reading a single line of dialogue. The problem with this particular issue is nothing happens. Sven, who is still the unlikeable protagonist, spends his days running from an archer, trying to rally oppressed villagers to his cause (uncharismatically), and has meaningless sex with a woman who has had the hots for him since he was a kid. I just can’t read this anymore.

Brian Wood may be trying to show diversity in his work by taking on this title, but it just shows how weak he can be as a storyteller. I can’t, in good faith, put any more money into this title. Maybe I’ll read someone else’s copy or wait for a trade, but there’s no way this book is worth $2.99. (Grade: D)

-J. Montes

Northlanders #1 – Review

By: Brian Wood (Writer), David Gianfelice (Pencils)

I enjoyed DMZ so much that I decided to check out another Brian Wood offering, Northlanders #1. It sounded diverse enough: a Nordic tale of a man named Sven, coming home to his land in the north to reclaim the wealth and lands stolen from him by his ruthless uncle. Despite his motives, Sven, is not a very likable character. I understand that living in 980 AD was a vicious time, but this guy has zero charisma.

He kills messengers for no reason but to skewer them and carries a spoiled brat kind of mentality on his shoulders by claiming that this money is his and he’s entitled to that. Sorry, but I’m not rooting for him. In fact, I kept hoping his uncle would just kill him and the story would move on to another character. Sadly, Sven survives and a new character is brought in for the next issue. I’ll give this book one more issue before I decide whether I want to continue reading or not. Perhaps Northlander’s saving grace is its art which is wonderfully done by Davide Gianfelice. He’s got great storytelling skills and does a good job portraying the barren Viking landscape.

It seems like Brian Wood’s put a lot of research into this book, but I need more than just a revenge tale full of unlikeable characters who use modern curse words just because the author thinks it’ll make the book more edgy. (Grade: C-)

-J. Montes