Viking #1 – Review

By Ivan Brandon (writing), Nic Klein (pencils, inks, colours)

The Story: A brand spanking new ongoing series from Image that’s been getting a good amount of hype, Viking looks to be a tale about the exploits, adventures, and sorrows of two brothers, Finn and Egil, who work as raiders/thieves in the ninth century.  In this issue, the major players are introduced along with the relationships they share with the comic closing out on a shocking and devastating event that is sure to shape the series for some time to come.

The Good: I can’t possibly say enough to praise the work of Nic Klein.  Where did this guy come from?  Between its colours, scrappy inks, and characterful designs, there simply is no other comic on the market that looks like this one.  The pencils often ride the line between realism and that “comic-y” look we all love, with hard-bitten frames occasionally being interrupted by one that borders on slapstick.

Dark and brooding, the colours are nonetheless of a very wide pallet, an achievement that sounds almost paradoxical in its implausibility.  The inks on the other hand lend a scrappy, gritty feel, but never once do so at the expense of detail or precision.  All told, the art does exactly what the story does, blending the crime and Viking genres.  Hard, noir, and dirty, yet also filled with blue water, red skies, and lush forest.

The writing by Ivan Brandon, while not initially standing out to the extent of Klein’s art, is more than competent.  As one would hope, the dialogue carries a properly antiquated tone, particularly in the sentence structure and word order, yet it also feels distinctly modern.  In other words, for a Viking/crime hybrid, Brandon is definitely doing his job.

At this point, it’s honestly a little hard to give a full assessment of Brandon’s chops in what is really just a foundational issue.  That said, one can already tell that his strength as a writer lies in emotional relationships.  The scene between King Bram and his daughter Annikki is perhaps the best of the issue.  The tense relationship between the brothers and their grandfather is well-done and the interactions between Finn and Egil and their little brother Ketil are particularly touching.  Brandon seems intent on problematizing the “brutal Viking” figure.  The “crazy” Egil becomes a troubled man with a deathwish, the equally murderous/brutal Finn is shown to be tender at some level; aware of his own brutality,  he’s merely trying to put his life together out of chaos.  King Bram, deserves special mention, appearing almost as two different characters in the two scenes we see him: the savage tyrant in the throneroom and the loving family man when with his daughter.  I almost feel as though Bram has the potential to be a Viking version of Tony Soprano.  Viking/crime hybrid indeed.

Finally, special mention must go to the absurd value of this comic.  Glossy cover, heavy paper stock, and larger, Golden Age dimensions, all for $2.99?  Yes, please.

The Not-so-Good: Despite what I’ve said, much about the characters’ background/psychology is only thus far suggested.  As it stands, Finn and Egil are merely the old “two young rogues trying to make it work.”  The connection with the reader isn’t fully formed quite yet.  That said, I can already see that Brandon is well on his way to fixing this.

Art-wise, a minor quibble: there is a simply hideous frame of a tearful Annikki that looks more like something out of an “adult” anime.  Klein may have issues drawing more than single tears.

I’m also not entirely sure about Brandon’s humour yet either.  It’s oddly quirky, which suits the Viking setting, but sometimes I wonder if I’m not on the same level as him.

Lastly, Brandon may have perhaps tried to do too much in this issue in showing the two sides of all of his characters.  Due to issue length, he’s forced into “one scene of brutality, and one of kindness” for both Bram and Finn; and it feels awkward.  As if it was merely flashing between “side A” and “side B.”  Furthermore, the opening scene of violence with Finn and Egal just ends up feeling a little bit sequestered from the remainder of the issue.

Conclusion:  Buy this issue.  The value, as mentioned, is absurd and this has a TON of potential.   While bad things may happen, if Brandon is going where I think he’s going, this could make his and Klein’s careers.  Plant this as one of Image’s biggest titles.  Certainly, after the gutpunch at the issue’s end, there is no way in hell I won’t be on board for issue 2.  In the words of guitar-aficionado Yngwie Malmsteen:  “I am a Viking.”

-Alex Evans

Grade: B+