Norse mythology. Valkyries. Vikings. Barbarians. Lesbian main characters. Talking horses and wolves. Honestly, how could 'Heathen' not be hyped? Or how could a fantasy comic book reader like myself - who also hadn't read anything specifically about Vikings until now - not get ridiculously excited in the name of Freyja and Valhalla and all that goddess goodness?
If you like 'Xena: Warrior Princess', 'The Legend of Korra', 'Red Sonja', and 'The Lord of the Rings', do yourself a favour and check out 'Heathen Volume 1'. Set to be Natasha Alterici's magnum opus, it tells the epic yet initially-understated tale of Aydis, a young warrior woman of improper clothing for the climate who has been exiled from her village for kissing another girl, Liv (in actuality it was a death sentence, which her father secretly spared her from). She sets out on a quest to free the immortal former Valkyrie queen, Brynhild, from her fire prison on a mountain. She pretty much completes this quest in the first issue and then... things get complicated. All I'll say is that Brynhild becomes a main character equal to and yet separate from Aydis.
These badass, outcast, emotionally-conflicted ladies have the same mission: the women of this series are on a personal journey to find and confront Odin, an ominous god-king kept in the shadows, and break his oppressive curse on Brynhild - doomed to love and lose for all eternity - once and for all.
Perhaps free all of female kind, too?
Many gods and other figures and references to Norse mythos feature in 'Heathen'. The most memorable has to be Freyja, the new Valkyrie queen who doesn't really like war or fighting. But she loves flirting and absolutely devotes herself to her, well, devotees; healing them from pain, tension, and all sorts of frustrations. Freyja simultaneously acts as the comic's rival character, the Shadow, the Shapeshifter, the Mentor, the Wise Woman, and the Gatekeeper; all while looking fabulous as she does so! Anything goes with her. Quite different from Marvel's Freyja, to be sure. However, she wishes for independence from men - mainly the Norse god of gods, Odin - like the other female characters. A free feminist icon, a literal goddess; but Frejya is not truly free (not wanting to be the Valkyrie queen is another indicator of this), and she will use her privileges to help others as well as herself towards a freedom that benefits everyone. She might be my favourite character after Aydis.
Aydis's quest focuses on her strengths, her bravery in the face of gods, her shyness around other humans, and her sexual awakening. She's not ashamed of liking women, but the hurt and betrayal she feels upon facing up against prejudice - not only from hate mobs generally but from her loved ones back home - profoundly affect her. Most of all she'll need to find the courage to never be afraid again of who she is, no matter the small-mindedness of anyone else, in such a primitive, misogynistic society. Aydis is a tough and noble fighter, but also kind of sweet and naïve, as an altruistic teen. She is like any traditionally male hero on a quest for internal (self-worth and confidence) as well as external (saving the world, standing up to gods or god-like dictators on home turfs) balance and catharsis; both self-serving and selfless needs of the protagonist are met and struggled with.
Challenges, obstacles, adversity, temptations: Aydis overcomes quite the trial on her Hero's Journey, with no doubt more, bigger and better things to come.
Linking to feminism, themes of religious conservatism, conversion and colonization are doubly present in this slow-moving yet fascinating story.
Spoiler:
Brynhild putting on her Valkyrie helmet and scaring a village into sparing the life of an innocent dark-skinned witch (I'm not sure she's even given a name), and outing the gay boy who had blamed the witch for his dalliances with a man after she had tried to earnestly help him, leans dangerously close to White Saviour territory. Straight Saviour too? Though Brynhild declares both the boy and the witch to be under her protection, and she herself might develop queer feelings for Aydis; to be revealed later on in the series, depending on how her relationship with Sigurd goes.
Spoiler End.
The art is a gritty, grim, watercolour glory. Nothing is too detailed, or even very consistent, notably in the first issue. But it's sharp, unique, and the haunting atmosphere fits the story perfectly.
'Heathen Volume 1' is a great comic that feels incomplete, even for a first volume. The ending of the fourth issue is abrupt, but that's not enough to muddy my enjoyment of the seemingly-simple, spectacular gem. It is like a video game in graphic novel form: 'The Legend of Zelda', 'God of War', 'Silent Hill' (the look is similar, at least), and 'Horizon Zero Dawn'. And Aydis and Brynhild are the key playable characters.
I love that comics like 'Heathen' are continuing to be made - exploring new territories, breaking traditions and familiar formulas and character archetypes, and being as inclusive and diverse as Hel.
Final Score: 4/5
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