Vikings #1
WRITER: Cavan Scott
ARTIST: Staz Johnson
Publisher: Titan Comics
FC – 32PP – $3.99 – On Sale: April 27
From the chronicles of the History Channel’s truly epic series, Vikings, comes a new saga of glory and plunder! Ragnar, Lagertha and their legendary kin sail once more for England and run straight into a shield wall of politics, intrigue, betrayal and, of course, axe-wielding, blood-spraying, sword-swinging combat!
The conclusion to the first King’s Road story arc! On the run after being ambushed by the witch Malicia’s army of monsters, Don and his family search for a secret doorway into the magical land of Avalon. As Malicia moves to put an end to Don’s royal clan, an old family friend comes to the rescue!
It’s fantasy and action from writer Peter Hogan!
In this final issue of the first volume of King’s Road, the battle concludes, but the war has just begun. Even Don’s wife manage to get in a shot quite literally before Malicia flees. Unfortunately that only aggravates her, as things finally start to go right for once. Malicia flees, after the transformed princess sacrifices herself to wound the evil sorceress. The family flees away, seeking help against the usurper.
Despite the limited environment of this issue, the amount of action throughout is drawn with great skill by Staz Johnson. The sheer destruction of the monsters is showcased briefly, but well as the small battle ends. I wont spoil the end, but the unique getaway vehicle for the royal family was an artistic shock.
Story: Peter Hogan Art: Staz Johnson
Story: 9 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy
Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Still reeling from the revelation that their family’s from another dimension, Ashley and Tyler get a history lesson on Avalon and the mythical forces there. Stocking up at a local mall for their journey to this strange realm, the family is attacked by a batch of bizarre creatures sent by the evil queen Malicia!
Modern and classic fantasy clash, as the unique, action filled King’s Road continues. This issue helps introduce a good chunk of backstory of how the royal family came to be in Avalon. Writer Peter Hogan also reveals how Avalon got its name.
For a fantasy themed comic, the artwork by Phil Winslade and Staz Johnson is extremely realistic. Despite the classic fantasy elements the artists managed to keep the artwork grounded in reality, or as grounded as they can. The large battle type scene inside the mall, is filled with an atmosphere of chaos as the royal family fights back against the army of Malicia.
Story: Peter Hogan Art: Phil Winslade, Staz Johnson
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy
Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
This 48-page special includes all King’s Road chapters from Dark Horse Presents by Peter Hogan and Phil Winslade—and an additional issue’s worth of story drawn by the new King’s Road art team! Artist Staz Johnson and colorist Douglas A. Sirois join Hogan to continue this tale of a family on the run from magical, other-dimensional monsters.
While slightly confusing at times, King’s Road‘s story is interesting, and complex to say the least. Something about the story reminds me some of Alice in Wonderland, but just on a much larger, and less crazy scale. For the most part the story is told through a mix of flashbacks to Avalon, and the effect of the flashbacks on one particular family who lives in the real world. Of course it goes without saying the family is anything but normal.
While the both worlds are well drawn, the real world is much more prevalent in this issue. Of course there is some creatures from Avalon who have come to the real world seeking the death of the family. Those creatures clearly are meant to stand out in the brightness of the real world, yet blend in to the normal populace of reality. While the magical world is really only seen in flashbacks, they are extremely well down.
Story: Peter Hogan Art: Phil Winslade, Staz Johnson
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy
Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Titan Comics has announced a new comic book series based on the critically acclaimed television series, Vikings.
The forthcoming comic book series which takes place within the third season and will follow Ragnar Lothbrok as he leads his Northmen on a new saga of glory and plunder. This tale of politics, intrigue, betrayal and sword-swinging combat is penned by best-selling Doctor Who writer Cavan Scott and illustrated by Staz Johnson.
The brand new Vikings comic series is due to hit stores Spring 2016. Four variant covers will be available, including two photo covers:
Cover A: Shane Pierce
Cover B: Photo Cover
Cover C: Photo Cover
Cover D: Blank Sketch Cover
King’s Road #1
Peter Hogan (W), Phil Winslade, Staz Johnson (A), Staz Johnson (Cover)
On sale February 10, FOC January 18.
Double-sized debut spectacular!
This 48-page special includes all King’s Road chapters from Dark Horse Presents by Peter Hogan and Phil Winslade—and an additional issue’s worth of story drawn by the new King’s Road art team! Artist Staz Johnson (Judge Dredd) and colorist Douglas A. Sirois (The 7th Sword) join Hogan to continue this tale of a family on the run from magical, other-dimensional monsters.
Moving from the pages of comics’ greatest anthology, Dark Horse Presents, Peter Hogan returns to fantasy to deliver a three-issue miniseries of King’s Road.
Artist Staz Johnson and colorist Douglas Sirois join Hogan to continue this tale of a family on the run from magical, other-dimensional monsters.
They were just your average suburban kids until a nightmare from their father’s hidden past came to hunt them down. Now they must fight the evil forces of the usurping witch Malicia for the right to rule a magical kingdom.
The series kicks off with a forty-eight-page special that includes all King’s Road chapters from Dark Horse Presents by Peter Hogan and Phil Winslade—and an additional issue’s worth of story drawn by the new King’s Road art team!
King’s Road #1 (of 3) is in stores February 10, 2016
