Vikings #1

Vikings | Writer: Cavan Scott | Art: Staz Johnson with Richard Elson | Colors: Rodrigo Fernandes | Art Cover: Shane Pierce

Vikings, currently in its fourth season on The History Channel, explores the rise of a humble man who seeks to protect his family and ends up becoming Earl, King, and legend.

We continue the adventures of Ragnar Lothbrook, but from the perspective of everyone’s favorite religious frenemy Floki. The Vikings’ quest for gold and glory has brought them all they could want, but to Floki the trust Ragnar has placed in the Christian priest Athelstan and King Ecbert are all signs that Ragnar has lost his way. He shares his fears with Rollo, Ragnar’s brother, but to no avail. Rollo has his own ideas of ways to celebrate their victory they involve a certain lady.

As an avid watcher of the show, I was happy to see Siggy again, but the fact that it’s in conjunction with her relationship to Queen Aslaug turns what should be a happy remembrance to anger.  This is a testament to Alyssa Sutherland, who plays Queen Aslaug. Within the last two seasons the character has earned a lot of distrust because of how she handles Ragnar’s lands and children in his absence - especially in contrast to Lagertha’s assumption of these same duties in season one and two. She uses Siggy to her benefit without any gratitude for the care she shows to her children. This leads Siggy to ask for council from the seer in order to find out when Ragnar will return, but he ominously replies “For the wolves will turn on their own to atone the sins of the bear.”

Confused? I’m sure that was his point.

As Siggy worries on the return of her men, Rollo is enjoying the rewards of England, especially the Christian princess he flirts with at a banquet, but their romance ends up being used by Floki and Ethelwold as a reason to break the alliance the Vikings have with the Christians. Instead, a compromise is reached between the two kings, which further solidifies Floki’s belief that Ragnar has lost his way.

The issue also provided historical information on the man behind the myth of Ragnar Lothbrook, and who he might be. This was a beautifully written comic that while short, used every page to its advantage. I loved the art cover by Shane Pierce, showing Travis Fimmel at the forefront intermixed with the colors of nature and earth behind him.  Of course, the two additional variants we get at the end with Lagertha and Ragnar were also well done with an eye for the intensity the characters bring.  This is a must read for all fans of Vikings as it does not disappoint.