Saturday AM brands itself as providing “the world’s most diverse manga-inspired comics.” A quick perusal of its publishing line-up underlines the strength of that claim with a plethora of titles featuring characters of colour, and a diversity of creative voices. Beginning life as an anthology series the Saturday AM properties have in recent years been brought to wider audiences through individual series print volumes via the Quarto Group’s Rockport Publishers imprint, including today’s subject Gunhild by Fred Tornager.
Gunhild is set in a realm where the world of Norse mythology comes to live in idiosyncratic and unexpected ways. Gunhild herself is a sometimes out-of-control 12-year-old-girl who, when we first meet her in her orphanage home on Midgard, is struggling to control the fiery powers that are part of her heritage. Abandoned by her kind – the fire creatures who dwell in Muspelheim – she is also plagued by prophetic nightmares signalling that Ragnorak – the end of the gods is nearly upon them.
Determined to become a god herself to stave off the impending disaster, Gunhild makes her way to Asgard to attempt to make this mission a reality. On the way she stows away on a trading ship to Asgard where she makes friends with the human Liv, encounters numerous gods like the mischievous Loki and the bellicose Thor, and faces off against trolls and supernatural serpents. But she’s about to find out that the gods may have a more… pragmatic… approach to Ragnorak than she was expecting…
This isn’t your standard Marvel-style interpretation of the Norse gods. Tornager’s take ensures that, while the standards are recognisably there, they are nonetheless filtered through an endearingly eccentric lens. Contemporary elements are thrown into the legendary mix with ostentatious abandon, whether that be the soccer-loving Heimdal, an elderly hipster dude version of Odin, or a motorcycle-riding Thor. As a result, the incongruity of this mash-up, world-building exercise results in some wonderfully comedic slapstick.
Tornager’s art is dynamic in its energy with each chapter acting as a semi-self-contained misadventure in its own right, all building up the drama of the overarching storyline. Vivid colouring choices also give her take on the Nine Lands a vibrantly magical feel. Visually, Gunhild is never less than kinetic, imaginative and action-packed with a diverse cast of characters that will ensure there are identifiable supporting players for all readers.
With a second volume of Gunhild out this month this is the perfect moment to introduce yourself to Tornager’s absolutely delightful protagonists and her friends, allies and antagonists.
Fred Tornager (W/A) • Rockport Publishers, £9.99
Review by Andy Oliver
