Viking Moon #1
Illustrated by: Marcelo Frusin
Written by: Joe Pruett
Image Comics
2025
Spoliers.. Sorta’ sorry but yeah…
MINISERIES PREMIERE
In 1003, Leif Erikson established a Viking settlement in Vneland (present day Newfoundland), a strange new world of plenty but populated by an indigenous people and something else…something UNNATURAL. Twenty years after the original expedition ended in disaster, a new attempt to settle this wilderness is made. Ulf and his hardened tribe of Vikings soon discover that the whisper of creatures who are both human and beast are not primitive legend, but death-bringing reality.
VIKINGS versus WEREWOLVES! The real reason the Vikings fled North America! A tale of blood-curdling horror and barbaric adventure from Eisner Award winner JOE PRUETT (VOICES IN MY HEAD, Cable, Domino) and legendary artist MARCELO FRUSIN (Hellblazer, Loveless, KICK-ASS: THE NEW GIRL).
There’s something undeniably compelling about Vikings. Maybe it’s their fearless exploration of unknown lands, or perhaps it’s the way they faced down impossible odds with nothing but steel and sheer willpower. Whatever it is, Joe Pruett and Marcelo Frusin have tapped into that primal fascination with their new series “Viking Moon,” and they’ve added a supernatural twist that feels both fresh and oddly inevitable.
The premise alone had me hooked from the moment I cracked open this first issue. We all know the historical narrative about Norse expeditions to North America, how Leif Erikson and later explorers like Thorfinn Karlsefni attempted to establish settlements in what they called Vinland. The conventional wisdom is that they were driven off by the native population, the “Skraelings” as the Vikings called them, due to being vastly outnumbered. But Pruett asks a tantalizing “what if” question that transforms this historical puzzle into something much more sinister.
What if it wasn’t just the natives that drove the Vikings away? What if something far more dangerous prowled those dark forests?
The story follows Ulf, a Viking chieftain who’s brought his people to this new world with hopes of succeeding where others have failed. Right from the opening pages, there’s this wonderful sense of dread building beneath the surface. Frusin’s artwork immediately establishes the tone with shadowy forests and an atmosphere thick with menace. You can practically feel the humidity of those ancient woods and the weight of unseen eyes watching from the darkness.
Pruett’s writing shines in how he balances the human elements with the growing supernatural threat. Ulf isn’t just a stereotypical Viking warrior; he’s a husband and father trying to build a better life for his family. His relationship with his wife Astrid and daughter Yrsa gives the story genuine emotional stakes. When young Yrsa wanders off into the forest, following what she thinks might be a small animal, you feel that parental dread because Pruett has taken the time to make these characters feel real.
The pacing is expertly handled throughout the issue. We get scenes of the Vikings making landfall, setting up camp, and trying to establish their new settlement, but there’s always this undercurrent of tension. Skarde and Guer’s scouting mission reveals the grisly remains of Karlsefni’s earlier settlement, and the description of bodies not just broken but “ripped open and scattered about” tells you immediately that whatever happened here was no ordinary battle.
Frusin’s artwork deserves special mention because it’s doing so much heavy lifting in creating the atmosphere. His Vikings feel authentically Norse without falling into cartoon territory, and his depiction of the North American wilderness is both beautiful and threatening. The way he handles the reveal of the abandoned settlement is particularly effective, with those mysterious claw marks on doors that suggest something was trying to get in rather than break out.
The encounter with the native scout is a masterclass in building tension. You know from the historical context that relations between Vikings and indigenous peoples were fraught, but here it takes on added weight because you’re wondering if this person is just a human scout or something more. When Guer shoots his arrow despite Ulf’s orders to stand down, you can feel the weight of that moment, how it sets in motion events that can’t be undone.
One of the things I appreciate most about this first issue is how it respects both the historical and supernatural elements. Pruett clearly did his homework on Viking culture and the actual historical expeditions to North America. The dialogue feels appropriately archaic without being incomprehensible, and the details about their ship, their settlement building, and their social dynamics all ring true.
At the same time, the supernatural elements feel organic to the story rather than forced. The idea of skinwalkers and shapeshifters as protectors of the native population is brilliant because it draws on actual indigenous legends while providing a supernatural explanation for one of history’s lingering questions. It’s that perfect blend that makes you think, “Yeah, this could have happened.”
The cliffhanger ending, with those glowing eyes in the darkness and Ulf’s realization that “the stories were true,” is perfectly executed. It gives you just enough to confirm that yes, this is going supernatural, while leaving you desperate to see what form that threat will take.
Pruett’s creator note at the end is wonderful too, showing his genuine enthusiasm for both Viking history and werewolf mythology. His comparison to a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup made me laugh, but he’s not wrong. Vikings and werewolves really do seem like they should go together, and I’m honestly surprised it took this long for someone to combine them this effectively.
If you’re a fan of historical fiction with supernatural elements, or if you just love a good werewolf story, “Viking Moon” #1 is an absolutely solid start to what promises to be a thrilling series. It’s got great characters, gorgeous artwork, and a premise that feels both familiar and completely fresh. I’m already counting the days until issue #2 hits the shelves.
This is exactly the kind of comic that reminds you why the medium is so perfect for this type of story. Where else could you get this perfect blend of historical authenticity and supernatural terror, brought to life with such gorgeous artwork? Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. Your local comic shop should still have copies, and trust me, you’re going to want to be there from the beginning for this one.
Viking Moon Delivers Everything I Didn't Know I Wanted
Viking Moon #1 masterfully blends historical authenticity with supernatural horror, following Vikings encountering werewolves in North America. Pruett's compelling characters and Frusin's atmospheric artwork create genuine tension while respecting both Norse history and indigenous legends in this promising new series.
Beam Me Up Scotty
Born and raised in the city of Miami. Lifelong pro wrestling fan. Been deep in the 'zine scene since ’84, interviewing locals, Hardcore, Punk, and Metal bands. Spent 26 years in the comic book biz and still obsessed with all things pop culture—Mego, Micronauts, Shogun Warriors, Die-Cast Metal Super Robots, you name it. I can go on about comic books and bad movies all day.
