Skip to main content

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.  

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

REVIEW: 'Little Monsters' #1 by Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen

  LITTLE MONSTERS #1 Writer: Jeff Lemire Artist: Dustin Nguyen Publisher: Image Comics Release Date: March 9, 2022 Cover Price: $3.99 They are the last children on Earth... who also happen to be vampires. For longer than they can remember, these child vampires have lived a life of eternal wonder amongst the ruins of humanity. But shocking events fracture the group and set them on a path of discovery that will shatter their innocence forever. Score: ★★★★1/2 (4.5/5) There are certain comic book creators whose books I'll pick up without hesitation. One of those creators is Jeff Lemire. He instills confidence knowing that his stories will be thoughtful and engaging. You add a talented artist like Dustin Nguyen on another collaborative effort and well, 'Little Monsters,' is a must-buy. I know, shocking.   They team up again with an intriguing post-apocalyptic vampire tale featuring "the last children on Earth" who've been left to their own devices among the ruin...

PREVIEW: 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Omnibus, Vol. 1

Explore never-before-seen adventures of the hit Paramount+ show in this graphic novel omnibus! Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Omnibus, Vol. 1 Writers: Mike Johnson, Kristen Beyer, Ryan Parrot Artists: Megan Levens, Angel Hernandez Publisher: IDW Publishing Trade Paperback: August 20, 2025, $24.99 First, in The Illyrian Enigma, set between seasons one and two, Una is accused of unlawful genetic modification by Starfleet and Captain Pike sets out in search of evidence that could prove her innocence. But when Captain Pike and the crew of the Enterprise get caught in the Pryllia colony, home to the elusive Illyrians, the mission objective quickly shifts from gathering evidence to exonerate Una to…breaking out. Then, in The Scorpius Run, set course with Captain Pike and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise to the Scorpius Constellation as they become the first Federation vessel to explore this uncharted region of space! In this romp across the stars, the Enterprise crew learn what i...

PREVIEW: THE ART OF INVINCIBLE SEASON ONE Companion Hardcover Offers a Behind the Scenes Look at the Hit Series

  Today Skybound debuted an all-new look at  The Art of Invincible Season One,  the behind-the-scenes companion to Prime Video’s hit animated series,  Invincible.  This hardcover marks the first animation artbook produced by Skybound Entertainment for the landmark franchise’s jump to television and will be available everywhere books are sold on March 27, 2024.     The Art of Invincible Season One  features never-before-seen production art, and exclusive commentary on the hit Prime Video series from key creatives, including  Invincible  comic co-creators Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker. Superfans of the hit animated series will be happy to find exclusive characters, backgrounds, vehicle designs, key art, and more inside this volume!    The critically acclaimed adult animated superhero series is currently airing the first half of its eight-episode second season on Prime Video, with new episodes airing weekly on #...