Heimdall

by Max Baitinger

In Norse mythology, Heimdall is the guardian among the gods. He is not particularly brave, at least not as brave as his powerful brother Thor or his father, the all-knowing creator god Odin. But Heimdall has a gift: he sees everything, even his own eyebrows. That’s why it is his job to be vigilant. Day and night, he sits watching on the roof of Valhalla while everything goes its regular course: every day the warriors train in battle, every evening their wounds are healed and they can carouse together – Valhalla is a true warrior’s paradise. But soon they will join the gods in the final battle. When the great wolf eats the sun and thus ushers in Ragnarok, the end of the world, Heimdall will have to warn them all in time with his big horn. His eyes fixed on the sun, he waits and wanders off with his thoughts.

In striking black-and-white drawings, Max Baitinger takes up motifs and forms of the old Icelandic gods’ songs. Seen through the eyes of the brooding god Heimdall, the saga of the downfall of the world becomes a relatable and comical tale of human fears and doubts.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

48 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2013

Reviews

[Titus · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a strange little comic about the Norse god Heimdall, told in a very rhythmic, simple, repetitive way that makes it almost like a poem, but also kind of like a picture book for small children. It does an interesting job of showing the world from Heimdall's perspective, which is occasionally very human but mostly totally alien. Visually it's really stylish (and stylized), with lots of geometric shapes, symmetry and interesting page layouts. Overall I'm not really sure it adds up to much, so I can't say I love it, but it's definitely left me curious to read more of Baitinger's work.

[Rick Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quaint retelling of Norse mythology seen through the eyes of Heimdall. Ever observing the shifting tides of destiny, Heimdall observes everything from the Einherjar entering the gates of Valhalla to Ragnarök only to see the cycle repeat again. The prose is basic and rhythmic, almost like a plodding war chant. The cartooning is a basic combination of highly geometric shapes, not too dissimilar from Tom Gauld's work. There isn't really too much story to parse here, so all there really is to appreciate is Baitinger's pleasing layouts and the overall simplicity to it all.

[Jukka Häkkinen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lyhyt sarjakuvakirja kertoo muinaisnorjalaisista jumalista, Valhallassa olevista Einherjareista ja Ragnarökistä. Kirjassa ei oikeastaan ole tarinaa, vaan se etenee eräänlaisina visuaalisina säkeinä, jotka toistuvat useita kertoja. Tämä oli kiinnostava välipala, mutta ei lyhyytensä vuoksi tarjonnut kovin paljon.

[Elena Varg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this one. It’s a simple and fairly comprehersive retelling of the scandinavian gods and Ragnarök and the cycle of it all and the art is as good and simple as the story is. (Also, the comic itself is very well made, a great binding!!)

[Ulla Saar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool stylised artwork.