Posted in: Comics, Recent Updates | Tagged: Birmingham International Comic Con, Comics, entertainment, Laurence Rider, Longship, Rebecca Teall, Time Bomb

Launching Longship – A Tale Of Vikings, Past And Present

By Olly MacNamee

[*This review contains mild spoilers]

What struck me as I read Longship (from Time Bomb Comics) was the purposefully slow, mellow pacing of this tale which is appropriate for its subject matter: the unorthodox funeral for a father who is remembered by his son as a determined, strong-willed individual who, thanks to forward thinking, is able to plan his own funeral, a funeral harkening back to more pagan time, the time of the Vikings and ostentatious funeral pyres. Hence, the title of this graphic novel, although given its sizing, I really want to call it a graphic album.

I liked the subtle merging of the storytelling traditions of the past and the modern storytelling techniques of the modern media, as Gary, the surviving son – reminiscing over the later years of his father's life and his determination over the building of a ship that's ultimate role is to be burnt once it has been painstakingly built – is recorded by a local reporter using modern technology to capture this well balanced tale. A point made on the very first page, where we witness, in a series of long shots, the rolling hills of the Yorkshire countryside with one complaining voice, the female reporter who seems to be more concerned with getting a mobile signal rather than taking in the local beauty she is surrounded by. That was a nice touch, I thought, juxtaposing these two ways of telling tales.

The longship his father wants to build becomes a focus point around which he and his son, Gary, can bond as adults. A doubting son soon becomes a believer in his dad's grand design and when the possible reason for his father's focus is revealed, it is done quickly and unsentimentally. The story here is not about death necessarily, but about "what we leave behind, and what we will do to honour those we love" as the writer, Laurence Rider point out. It is also about taking control of one's life, I believe. After all, how many of us have the foresight, or even the time, to plan and execute our own funeral arrangements, arrangements that are nearly derailed in this narrative by modern Health and Safety. Something the Vikings never had to worry about back in the day as they pillaged their way through Britain and beyond.

Thankfully, as funerals go, this story has a happy ending of sorts, as day is overtaken by night and the fire is lit; bursting forth from the printed page with a well executed palate of warm fiery colours, provided by artist Rebecca Teall, that transports Gary into his own personal Valhalla and brings an apt closure to proceedings. A new, young talent who's painted artwork suits the tone and style of this gentle story.

This is not a sad story, but one of a father and son coming together in a shared dream and shared understanding too. Out in August, this is a wonderful alternative to the kind of high-octane event comics of the Big Two that we come to expect from this time of year. Well worth the time to seek out and read.

And, if you find yourself in Birmingham for the International Comic Con this August 2^nd seek out Time Bomb comics and join in Longship's official launch. I'll see you there!

Olly MacNamee teaches English and Media, for his sins, in a school somewhere in Birmingham. Some days, even he doesn't know where it is. Follow him on twitter @ollymacnamee or read about his exploits at olly.macnamee@blogspot.co.uk. Or don't.

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