After a terrific limited series with Helheim last year, Cullen Bunn and Joelle Jones, are back with another Gothic Norse adventure with the big resurrected Rikard in Brides of Helheim #1 from Oni Press. Left to wander the earth as an undead draugr with Valhalla beyond his grasp a new challenge comes knocking on his door in another thrilling supernatural tale.
Bunn has been a busy man with various titles, The Sixth Gun, Magneto, and Lobo but fans were clamoring for another Viking story featuring the fierce warrior Rikard. Now seemingly at peace in the woods years after defeating the evil hags that altered his existence Rikard is burdened into fighting a different force that threatens more people. Bunn is a master of myth making and taking a character like the big zombie-like Viking and turning him into a reluctant hero makes for some wide-open storytelling. He surrounds him with engaging characters that help fill out the world beyond the soft-spoken giant.
Joelle Jones is a visionary artist that knows how to direct a scene whether it’s a huge multi-panel fight sequence or simply establishing a location with quiet landscapes. With the eye of a cinematographer the camera work is varied giving the art energy and movement. Jones and Bunn work well together because it’s obvious the writer sets up the artist to do her thing and she comes through marvelously.
Brides of Helheim #1 is a book that new readers can sink into while giving established fans another great supernatural Viking tale. It’s a rare feat when comic books give readers their money’s worth but Brides delivers while leaving readers wanting more. This is definitely pull list worthy.
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