By Rosinski & Van Hamme
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 978-1-84918-023-8
This series is a particular favourite of mine at the moment, melding mythology, science fiction, fantasy and pure adventure between its pages. Possibly it's closest British counterpart is 2000AD's Slaine, although the pace and scale of Thorgal allows for more involved and detailed storytelling.
This is book 7 in the series so, to get you up to speed, as a baby Thorgal is found in a lifepod by Vikings after being ejected from a starship above the Earth. He is raised as a Norseman and becomes a skilled warrior, but rejects the Viking way of life. He wants peace and happiness for himself and his young family but faces a constant struggle to find it.
This particular story is the most cleverly written so far, blending the Norse world with a science fiction undercurrent to create a clever tale about time travel, consequence and destiny. It's superbly done, to the extent that you find yourself flicking backwards and forwards to spot the clues and hints as the story unfolds.
The Thorgal series has a mature approach to the medium, where intelligence is favoured as much as brawn. In many other tales a resolution would be found in a mass brawl, but Van Hamme's writing leaves you never quite knowing where the story is going to take you, and because it is infused with so many influences it is quite likely to take you somewhere new and interesting.
Coupled with this is Rosinski's fabulous art, which so beautifully sets the scene with his finely detailed backgrounds and detailing. The opening three pages alone, featuring an avalanche, are packed with drama and movement that draw you straight in to the world and the moment.
This has to be my favourite of the Thorgal books so far, and not a bad one to start with if you wanted to whet your appetite. I look forward to the next one.
And if you liked that: Jump back to book 1, Child of the Stars
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