CBR: Brian Wood Talks Northlanders

[CBR News]

With "Northlanders" #14 on sale this week, series creator Brian Wood goes in-
depth with CBR's Timothy Callahan about the hugely acclaimed Vikings series,
discussing his research, creative process, and what fans can look for next.


Full article here.

[puyaybusto]

I LOVE NORTHLANDERS! I can't wait to see what will happen. It is my first read every month. Keep it up Mr. Wood!

[FemGeek]

Very good interview, lots of great stuff lined up. I love the way Wood focuses on the individual in his story-telling rather than a populace, it makes everything much more personal and humane rather than disjointed and clinical. I loved the Lindisfarne arc, telling the tale indirectly through the eyes of a child - excellent. I'm looking forward to everything metioned in the interview; The Plauge, Shield Maidens, Volga, and particularly the 'lost' colony in Greenland, I've always found that so interesting. I'm gonna be critical of what happens in the upcoming Single Combat issues however, but I've yet to find a problem with any of Woods research, context and interpretation, so it'll probably be very well done.

[Cheeris]

This is the second time this week (or so) I've heard somebody mention that the coarse language in 'Northlanders' is a problem.

I've only read a few issues, but I've never really noticed the swearwords or earthy language while reading this at all.

I was interested, is this a common problem?

[TexasZombie]

yep great interview, i haven't read everything wood has written but i love both his dmz and northlanders series. even though northlanders has a rotating team of artists, they've all been superb thus far. i'm not a history buff, i'm more of a science guy myself but i still find the historical viking era in his books intriguing. great stuff!

--drew

[FemGeek]

This is the second time this week (or so) I've heard somebody mention that the coarse language in 'Northlanders' is a problem.

I've only read a few issues, but I've never really noticed the swearwords or earthy language while reading this at all.

I was interested, is this a common problem?

It sounds like the problem might be that the swearing is inacurate, which is a foolish thing to complain about. The Vikings are speaking in modern English for the stories so why would they not swear in modern English?
Though if its that people have a problem with the swearing in general, maybe they should just read a less adult comic. That'd be a case of if you dont like it dont read it.

[Herr Mike]

Brian Wood must adapt Eaters of the Dead. He must.

[briancwood]

Brian Wood must adapt Eaters of the Dead. He must.

Why do that when I can write my own ideas?

b

[Ryan Day]

Brian Wood must adapt Eaters of the Dead. He must.

No. He must adapt Sphere, and maybe Congo. And then Jurassic Park II.

He can do Eaters of the Dead after that.

[Cheeris]

It sounds like the problem might be that the swearing is inacurate, which is a foolish thing to complain about. The Vikings are speaking in modern English for the stories so why would they not swear in modern English?
Though if its that people have a problem with the swearing in general, maybe they should just read a less adult comic. That'd be a case of if you dont like it dont read it.

Yeah! Some podcast mentioned that. Who would read a printed computer-generated comic written by an American about a fictional depiction of Vikings and think, 'nah, those swearwords are just anachronistic; this has just spoiled the whole experience for me...

Oooh... Battlestar Galactica is on!'...

[Predator]

I'm one of the evil trade-waiters, so I'm a bit behind in current stories. That said, I loved the first volume! This is a book that is definately on my "must buy" list.

I really hope Northlanders and DMZ become the new cornerstones of Vertigo along with Fables, Jack of Fables, and Scalped. They deserve the success. Damn, it's a good time for Vertigo!

[briancwood]

I'm one of the evil trade-waiters, so I'm a bit behind in current stories. That said, I loved the first volume! This is a book that is definately on my "must buy" list.

I really hope Northlanders and DMZ become the new cornerstones of Vertigo along with Fables, Jack of Fables, and Scalped. They deserve the success. Damn, it's a good time for Vertigo!

No need to feel evil... I wait for the trade on most things too. And especially in the case of Northlanders and its story structure, these stories are being written for the trade much more than typical.

bri

[Desaad]

Why do that when I can write my own ideas?

b

Brian, I love your work. Your stories are so genuinely human, it amazes me.

As much as I love your creator owned work, though, I've always wondered what you might be like on a company owned character or project. In your latest Northlanders interview, you mentioned kicking around the idea of bringing back a property for DC.

Do you have any interest in doing something like that still? Or maybe working on one of their marquee characters? For some reason I can't get the image of you doing a Batman or Detective run out of my head.

Regardless, keep up the great work and keep passionate.

[Predator]

No need to feel evil... I wait for the trade on most things too. And especially in the case of Northlanders and its story structure, these stories are being written for the trade much more than typical.

bri

That's good to know. A lot of comic creators seem to be very anti-trade. It seems like they actually bash the readers sometimes.

BTW Brian, I'll be reading Local this weekend, really looking forward to it.

[Libaax]

Im hoping briancwood does more original vertigo series instead of doing someone else work.