Image Comics 2016
Written by Brian Wood
Illustrated by Garry Brown
Coloured by Dave McCaig
Lettering & Production by Steve Wands
This is a thought provoking and fantastic story about the journey these two characters are on. Brian is no stranger to writing such grand sweeping stories and this one fits right on in with those. These are great characters with some great characterization as this unlikely pair of travelers continue on their journey to fulfill the Cardinal’s request.
What’s started out as a dark and foreboding look at the invading Christian Faith into Viking lands is turning into a moving and sweet story. Don’t think for a minute that there still isn’t violence and danger for that’s never been more evident. However Magnus needs Julia and vice versa for far more than just traveling companionship. With each issue we see their interaction and learn more about them, this issue Julia in particular, and we begin to see they each represent the family the other has lost. Slowly yes but it’s there, she the family he lost and he the family she never knew she needed. Together this journey will have far more impact upon each other than they realize.
I like that both are outsiders to the Church, she a Jewish slave and he a Norse, Viking, tracker and bodyguard. The larger mystery here of what’s happening on the Northern Coast and what the Cardinal’s true mission was is also slowly being revealed. We see exactly what is going on in Norskk and what this Bishop Oakenfort has been up to. Though this raises many questions it also presents a few ideas as to what the ultimate goal is and with more than one option it means that the reveal may or may not be anything we’ve been thinking of already.
Garry has been doing an utterly brilliant job on the interiors here. The wordless opening that leads to where they are by the end of this issue is phenomenal. The sense of danger, fatigue and almost helplessness against such a force of nature in this cold desolate wasteland is so full of feeling and emotion. He’s able to do so much with his work to bring us what we need in terms of connecting to the story and the characters. The city of Norskk and it’s church also are just so well put together and express so much. His storytelling here has hit new heights of sheer power.
A story of discovery, of faith, religion and finding purpose this is one of those that sneaks up on you on just how deep it becomes. Still with the harsh environment and damaged characters the story and the characterization here remind us why Brian continues to be a driving force within the industry.