Northlanders #41

Written by Brian Wood
Art by Marian Churchland

There is a lot to love about this comic.  First, the art for this done-in-one story is provided by Marian Churchland, who is a remarkable up-and-comer who is not getting nearly the amount of recognition she deserves.  Her graphic novel Beast, and her work on Elephantmen have been brilliant, and it's terrific to see her on a book like Northlanders.  Her art is complimented perfectly on this issue by colourist Dave McCaig - in fact, I thought she had done the colours herself.

The story in this issue is also terrific.  Birna Thorsdottir is a fourteen year old girl who has grown up the only child of the local lord in the Outer Hebrides in 990 AD.  She's never been off the island she was born on, and when her father dies suddenly, is forced to step up to defend her home and her title to it.

Northlanders is frequently the most literary title that Vertigo publishes.  Wood writes such amazingly tight, little stories in this book that resonate deeply with modern readers, despite being set in a time few people are familiar with.  He is able to construct complex characters in a short span, and make the reader care about them.

I was sad to see the news last week that Northlanders is going to be canceled.  Truly, it's not much of a surprise when any Vertigo book is canceled these days, but it is disappointing that a book like this doesn't attract a wider readership.  Still, I can't wait to dive into the Icelandic Trilogy, which will see the book to its conclusion.