Karl the Viking
Karl the Viking | |
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Character information | |
First appearance | Lion (29 October 1960) |
In-story information | |
Species | Human |
Place of origin | Earth |
Publication information | |
Publisher | Fleetway Publications |
Schedule | Weekly |
Title(s) | Lion 29 October 1960 to 26 September 1964 Lion Annual 1962-1966 and 1969 |
Formats | Original material for the series has been published as a strip in the comics anthology(s) Lion. |
Genre | |
Publication date | 29 October ISBN 9781786187338 |
Karl the Viking is a
Creation
Publishing history
The strip debuted in the 29 October 1960 edition of Lion as "The Sword of Eingar" before being renamed "Karl the Viking" from the second serial onwards. It was a firm favourite, running for four years. For most of the run Lawrence and Cowan remained as the creative team, though Lawrence's schedule saw Ted Drury take over for three months in 1963.
"Karl the Viking" was twice reprinted by Fleetway and successor
As Lawrence's reputation grew on the back of his work issues of Lion featuring Karl the Viking became sought-after collector's items. In 2008, British comics expert Steve Holland worked with the Netherlands-based Don Lawrence Collection to compile the complete series into four hardback collections, available either individually or as a boxed set with a slipcase.[8] In 2018 "Karl the Viking" was among the IPC-owned properties acquired by 2000 AD publisher Rebellion Developments,[9][10] and in 2020 they released the complete "Karl the Viking" strips across two volumes in their Treasury of British Comics series.[5]
Plot summary
In command, Karl tempered the Vikings with compassion. As such, he led an expedition to return Mesoamerican boy-king Tihuana home safely[12] and found plunder by tracking the treasure of Woden.[13] During the latter he crossed swords with the bestial Selgor, who then impersonated Thor in an unsuccessful attempt to turn the clan against Karl.[14]
Further threats included an airborne fungus possessed by the spirit Helvud;[15] Saracen hypnotist El Sarid;[16] Gefion One-Eye and his savage Skeld Vikings,[17] who mounted a challenge to Karl's leadership as they both fought the Kraken;[18] evil Moru the Sorcerer and his army, led by Elrik the Black;[19] Arabian tribe leader Talga[20] and numerous foes as the Vikings returned overland;[21] an African tribe led by the cruel Tava;[22] and a brutal rival Flamebeard.[23]
Collected editions
Title | ISBN | Publisher | Release date | Contents |
---|---|---|---|---|
Karl the Viking Vol. 1 - The Sword of Eingar | 9789088860324 | The Don Lawrence Collection | October 2008 | |
Karl the Viking Vol. 2 - The Powers of Hevlund | 9789088860348 | The Don Lawrence Collection | October 2008 | |
Karl the Viking Vol. 3 - Island of Monsters | 9789088860362 | The Don Lawrence Collection | October 2008 | |
Karl the Viking Vol. 4 - Quest of the Long Ships | 9789088860386 | The Don Lawrence Collection | October 2008 | |
Karl the Viking - Volume I: The Sword of Eingar | 9781786184627 | Rebellion Developments | 20 January 2020 | Material from Lion 29 October 1960 to 1 December 1962 |
Karl the Viking - Volume II: The Voyage of the Sea Raiders | 9781786187338 | Rebellion Developments | 22 December 2020 | Material from Lion 1 December 1962 to 29 September 1964 and Lion Annual 1963-66 & 1969. |
Reception
In an essay commissioned by Rebellion to celebrate the first Treasury of British Comics release, Doris V. Sutherland praised the series for its lavish artwork and imaginative world, a "carefree mash-up of different eras".[3] Despite reservations about some of the dialogue, Karl Verhoven praised the collection for Slings & Arrows, feeling it charted Lawrence's development as an artist and that the "plots pack a lot in as they twist and turn".[24]
References
- ISBN 9781893905337.
- ^ a b Stephen Jewell (w). "The Comic That Roared" Judge Dredd Megazine, no. 421 (14 July 2020). Rebellion Developments.
- ^ a b c "Between the historical and the fantastical: On Don Lawrence's 'Karl the Viking'". Treasury of British Comics.
- ^ a b c d Holland, Steve (2002). The Fleetway Companion. Rotherham: CJ & Publication.
- ^ a b "Preview: The Concluding Volume of 'Karl the Viking' from the Master Don Lawrence". 30 November 2022.
- ^ a b c "Karl the Viking".
- ^ "'Karl the Viking' by Don Lawrence Comes to the Treasury of British Comics in 2022 - Broken Frontier". 8 October 2021.
- ^ a b "Bear Alley: Karl the Viking". 3 October 2008.
- ^ McMillan, Graeme (28 September 2018). "'2000 AD' Publisher Acquires TI Media Comic Archive". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ "Classic British Comics: Who Owns What?". downthetubes.net. 4 October 2018.
- ^ Ted Cowan (w), Don Lawrence (a). "Sword of Eingar" Lion (29 October 1960 to 11 February 1961). Fleetway Publications.
- ^ Ted Cowan (w), Don Lawrence (a). "Karl the Viking - The Long Voyage to Oxaca" Lion (18 February to 22 July 1961). Fleetway Publications.
- ^ Ted Cowan (w), Don Lawrence (a). "Karl the Viking - Selgor" Lion (29 July to 11 November 1961). Fleetway Publications.
- ^ Ted Cowan (w), Don Lawrence (a). "Karl the Viking - The False God" Lion (18 November 1961 to 24 March 1962). Fleetway Publications.
- ^ Ted Cowan (w), Don Lawrence (a). "Karl the Viking - The Powers of Helvud" Lion (31 March to 28 July 1962). Fleetway Publications.
- ^ Ted Cowan (w), Don Lawrence (a). "Karl the Viking - El Sarid the Merciless" Lion (4 August to 1 December 1962). Fleetway Publications.
- ^ Ted Cowan (w), Don Lawrence (a). "Karl the Viking - Gefion One-Eye" Lion (8 December 1962 to 13 January 1963). Fleetway Publications.
- ^ Ted Cowan (w), Don Lawrence (a). "Karl the Viking - The Kraken" Lion (19 January to 20 April 1963). Fleetway Publications.
- ^ Ted Cowan (w), Don Lawrence (a). "Karl the Viking - Moru the Sorcerer" Lion (27 April to 10 August 1963). Fleetway Publications.
- ^ Ted Cowan (w), Ted Drury (a). "Karl the Viking - The Fallen Meteorite" Lion (17 August to 16 November 1963). Fleetway Publications.
- ^ Ted Cowan (w), Don Lawrence (a). "Karl the Viking - The Journey Home" Lion (22 November 1963 to 29 February 1964). Fleetway Publications.
- ^ Ted Cowan (w), Don Lawrence (a). "Karl the Viking - The Voyage of the Sea Raiders" Lion (7 March to 6 June 1964). Fleetway Publications.
- ^ Michael Moorcock (w), Don Lawrence (a). "Karl the Viking - The Quest of the Long Ships" Lion (13 June to 26 September 1964). Fleetway Publications.
- ^ "Slings & Arrows".