BLACK ROAD VOLUME 1: THE HOLY NORTH (Image Comics, 2016) Written by Brian Wood. Illustrated by Gary Brown. Colored by Dave McCaig. Trade paperback edition, 136 pages. ISBN # 1632158728.
the Goodreads website summary . . . .
1000 A.D. The Christian conversion of pagan lands is well underway, turning the Viking north into a bleak war zone of occupation and violence. Magnus The Black is an ex-warrior turned fixer for the Church, only looking to ease his people through this painful time. But when a Vatican official under his care is murdered on the infamous "Black Road," he uncovers a secret, something so big it threatens to change the balance of power in all of Europe.
From Northlanders creator Brian Wood, artist Garry Brown (Catwoman, The Massive) and Dave McCaig (Batman, Avengers) comes a historical thriller with a shocking twist.
my review on the Goodreads website . . . .
Brian Wood has written about this particular period in history before, with NORTHLANDERS for DC/Vertigo Comics. Here, he revisits the northernmost Viking lands during a period when Christianity was on the rise, and pagans were being converted or decimated.
Cruelty abounds on both sides. A burly warrior is recruited to protect a Vatican cardinal during his trek to the northernmost reaches. While the priest doesn't survive the journey, Magnus The Black is determined to complete it and escort the priest's accomplice/servant - - a young women with fighting skills and other secrets.
The primary characters are fully realized, and Wood manages to convey their feelings and create reader empathy regardless of their principles and positions.
The art compliments the story. There is a lot of depth in the panels without excessive detail. The scenery, desolation, frigid conditions are expertly detailed, as well as some impressive fight scenes.
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