REVIEW: 'Beorn: The Littlest Viking Saga' #1 (1 of 4) by Ben Bender

Beorn: The Littlest Viking Saga #1 (1 of 4)

by Ben Bender

Publisher: Red 5 Comics

Release Date: May 4, 2022

As featured on Free Comic Book Day! Beorn's world is big, full of living myths and fairy tales, but that won't stop the littlest Viking from living a legendary life! After Beorn finds his way to an uncharted island, he wastes no time launching headfirst on his quest for adventure... or at the very least, his quest to find a sandwich! What perils await young Beorn in this new land, and will the littlest Viking be big enough to rise above the dangers coming his way?

Score:

★★★★★ (5/5)

'Beorn: The Littlest Viking Saga' by Ben Bender is an all-ages limited series that's so charming and adorable it's irresistible. The spunky little Viking starved for adventure gets his chance and finds more than he bargained for. It's an entertaining first issue truly made for readers of any age. 

Bender, as writer and artist, establishes the setting brilliantly with a fun montage of mythical figures, gods, monsters, and of course, Vikings. It all leads to the introduction of the diminutive Beorn sitting in a tavern drinking his chocolate milk lamenting the lack of adventure in his life. Soon and serendipitously, he's offered the opportunity of a lifetime and is off on his journey. Beorn is so confident and impatient but endearing. He resembles Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes a bit, both physically and temperamentally. He's got the tenacity and determination of the Chicken Hawk from Looney Tunes and the ambition of Daffy Duck. He perseveres despite the odds being against him. A great lesson for all readers. 

The world is easily accessible and familiar but with the energy and fun of a Saturday morning cartoon. The issue is fast-paced with great designs from monsters to locales. Bender's talent is undeniable and 'Beorn' reminds me of comic strips I would read in the Sunday paper as a kid. I would just consume strips like Hägar the Horrible, Beetle Bailey, Mutts, Bloom County, and the aforementioned Calvin and Hobbes. They were little pieces of sunshine for their instant smile-inducing adventures albeit short and sometimes campy. 'Beorn' is similar in that but in long-form but no less enjoyable with some great action and humor. 

'Beorn: The Littlest Viking Saga' is a joy to read with fun cartoony visuals and action to match the spunky little Viking's ambitions. This is an all-ages comic genuinely made for all ages to enjoy with a worthy adventure and an endearing quality. It's hard to find fault in such a sweet and entertaining issue, one that's guaranteed to delight readers.