Northlanders, Vol. 2: The Cross And The Hammer (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
We are introduced to a second setting and protagonist from the Viking world in the second volume of this series, with a journey to occupied Ireland. In the last volume, the Vikings were te conquered people, but the tables are turned here as the Vikings becomes the conquerors and oppressors of the Emerald Isle. We see the brutality of their rule through the eyes of Magnus, a former monk who has turned violent in the hopes of riding the land of Norsemen. His opponent is Ragnar Ragnarsson, a homicide detective of sorts, but the real plottwist comes with Magnus' daughter Brigid. Throughout the story we see her travelling with Magnus, but at the finale it is revealed that the real Brigid left her father long ago and assimilated to the Viking culture. Once again the author has tapped some accurate historical themes while still having a great adventure. The very nature of this series makes each trade paperback - even, at times, each issue - not just a different narrative, but a chance for a different artist to take the helm, a change in tone, and the exploration of a different theme. This trade was definitely a good example of that - where the first focused on homecoming, the second deals with a lot of stuff in very short order - madness, occupation, the age-old debate over ends justifying means - and it draws you in. Darker than the first trade, it's no less compelling.
What do You think about Northlanders, Vol. 2: The Cross And The Hammer (2009)?
It's kind of nice that that the trades are standalone arcs, so you don't need to read them in order.
—magictj
Interesting look at seldom seen part of Irish history.
—ono
I loved this story... and hated the ending.
—hamzamalik
Still awesome. I wish I were a Viking.
—netkeeper17
