Way back in 2013, artist Tim Hall published the first issue of Skragbeard – a Viking-themed horror adventure that was already two years in the making, back then. We loved the book, and eagerly awaited Issue Two.

Well, it’s been a long time coming, but good news – it’s all done, it was well worth the wait – and copies should be available soon.

In Issue One, village Chieftain-to-be Skragbeard, his best man Andersen and future brother-in-law Gunnersen are the only survivors when their boat is shipwrecked during a violent storm on their return from Skragbeard’s stag party.

Cold, wet and in a hostile, unknown land, Skragbeard attempts to acquire clothing from a nearby settlement – only to find himself caught between a returning village horde and an all-too-familiar face…

Hounded by a vicious horror from hell, in Issue Two Skragbeard manages to escape his evil foe, while his angry fiancé, Cara, sets out on her own mission, building to what look to be some tumultuous events in Issue Three (which, hopefully, is well on course to be with us much faster than Issue Two!).

This is a fun, action-packed adventure series, the story cracking along at a terrific pace, the action peppered with some fun moments to lighten the terror. Tim Hall’s art is terrific, with some utterly stunning double page spreads in Issue Two that are absolutely brilliant, in my view.

“I was aiming to draw the reader in to the world of Helheim with a cinematic feel before Issue 3 starts to focus on the characters and plot,” Tim tells us, and he’s certainly done that!

“I’m currently writing Issue 3,” the much-in-demand Hampshire-based comic creator and illustrator reveals, “but I’m considering splitting the 22-page issue into two mini-issues, so that I can keep putting something out there for readers who are interested.”

If you’d like to snag a copy of Skragbeard, then head over to Facebook and keep an eye on his Void Studios page for availability. He’s also hoping to have copies on sale in local comic shops.

• Check out Tim’s work on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TimHallArt

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

Categories: British Comics, Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News

Tags: Skragbeard, Tim Hall, Vikings, Void Studios