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Heathen: The Complete Series Omnibus Edition
SMASHING THE PATRIARCHY – Viking Style!
WOMAN. WARRIOR. VIKING. HEATHEN. OUTCAST.
THE GODS MUST PAY…
Born into a time of warfare, suffering, and subjugation of women, and exiled from her village for kissing another woman, the lesbian Viking warrior, Aydis, sets out to destroy the god-king Odin and end his oppressive reign. She is a friend to many as she is joined by mermaids, immortals, Valkyries, and the talking horse, Saga. But she is also a fearsome enemy to the demons and fantastic monsters that populate the land.
Heathen – The Complete Series Omnibus Edition trade paperback collects the entire twelve-issue series.
Soon to be movie directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight,Red Riding Hood, Lords of Dogtown)
For fans of Monstress (Marjorie Liu & Sana Takeda), Helheim (Cullen Bunn, Joelle Jones, Nick Filardi), and Northlanders (Brian Wood)
“These declarations of self from women and queer characters fit so elegantly into the mythology Alterici uses to weave her tale, it reminds us that these narratives belonged there all along.” - The Mary Sue
"The series operates on two It's a sweeping Nordic fantasy, but it's also a personal story about coming out and coming of age in a culture that doesn't accept who you truly are. The intersection of those two narrative planes is what makes Heathen so engrossing, and the grander elements of the plot have more emotional impact because they are tied to Aydis' queer awakening. -- The AV Club
"Hot take Natasha Alterici is the real deal." -- Comic Bastards
"Alterici is that rarest of comic writers whose sense of story and pacing is equal to her tremendous artistic skill." -- Bitch Media
WOMAN. WARRIOR. VIKING. HEATHEN. OUTCAST.
THE GODS MUST PAY…
Born into a time of warfare, suffering, and subjugation of women, and exiled from her village for kissing another woman, the lesbian Viking warrior, Aydis, sets out to destroy the god-king Odin and end his oppressive reign. She is a friend to many as she is joined by mermaids, immortals, Valkyries, and the talking horse, Saga. But she is also a fearsome enemy to the demons and fantastic monsters that populate the land.
Heathen – The Complete Series Omnibus Edition trade paperback collects the entire twelve-issue series.
Soon to be movie directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight,Red Riding Hood, Lords of Dogtown)
For fans of Monstress (Marjorie Liu & Sana Takeda), Helheim (Cullen Bunn, Joelle Jones, Nick Filardi), and Northlanders (Brian Wood)
“These declarations of self from women and queer characters fit so elegantly into the mythology Alterici uses to weave her tale, it reminds us that these narratives belonged there all along.” - The Mary Sue
"The series operates on two It's a sweeping Nordic fantasy, but it's also a personal story about coming out and coming of age in a culture that doesn't accept who you truly are. The intersection of those two narrative planes is what makes Heathen so engrossing, and the grander elements of the plot have more emotional impact because they are tied to Aydis' queer awakening. -- The AV Club
"Hot take Natasha Alterici is the real deal." -- Comic Bastards
"Alterici is that rarest of comic writers whose sense of story and pacing is equal to her tremendous artistic skill." -- Bitch Media
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Published May 17, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
October 10, 2024
Heathen is a cozy, sapphic fairytale about overthrowing the patriarchy. Although the opening panels suggest a romance between the two female leads, there really isn't one, and readers looking for this should go elsewhere.
What I thought: this was a really fun series. The scribbly line art of the opening volumes was both moody and gorgeous, and really drew me into the story. The author's characterisation of the Norse pantheon reminded me of the Sandman , but without the drama.
In fact, in terms of tone and adult content, this book is far closer to a Bingo Love or Moonstruck than it is to say, a Saga , Thorgal or Monstress . So don't believe the blurb, it's lying to you.
What it's about: we follow Viking lady warrior Aydis as she sets out to right an ancient wrong. Along the way, she gets a kiss or two and meets many new people - both supernatural and real - who aid her on her quest.
What I enjoyed most: the line art and pacing, along with Aydis being sapphic. The story maintains a good deal of momentum but never feels rushed, and I was always interested to see who (or what) Aydis would encounter next on her adventures. If it weren't for Freya being super-topless throughout the series, I would probably recommend this to every teen I know.
What I enjoyed least: for all its charm, the story is low-stakes and extremely shallow. Odin doesn't really have a point of view beyond, "autocracy good | autonomy bad" and Brynhild's character got far less face-time than she deserved.
TL;DR: if you're in the mood for Viking marshmellows, then you can't pass this up.
What I thought: this was a really fun series. The scribbly line art of the opening volumes was both moody and gorgeous, and really drew me into the story. The author's characterisation of the Norse pantheon reminded me of the Sandman , but without the drama.
In fact, in terms of tone and adult content, this book is far closer to a Bingo Love or Moonstruck than it is to say, a Saga , Thorgal or Monstress . So don't believe the blurb, it's lying to you.
What it's about: we follow Viking lady warrior Aydis as she sets out to right an ancient wrong. Along the way, she gets a kiss or two and meets many new people - both supernatural and real - who aid her on her quest.
What I enjoyed most: the line art and pacing, along with Aydis being sapphic. The story maintains a good deal of momentum but never feels rushed, and I was always interested to see who (or what) Aydis would encounter next on her adventures. If it weren't for Freya being super-topless throughout the series, I would probably recommend this to every teen I know.
What I enjoyed least: for all its charm, the story is low-stakes and extremely shallow. Odin doesn't really have a point of view beyond, "autocracy good | autonomy bad" and Brynhild's character got far less face-time than she deserved.
TL;DR: if you're in the mood for Viking marshmellows, then you can't pass this up.
October 13, 2022
Firstly I enjoyed the art and lettering for the most part, until they randomly changed it at issue 9.
Very simple story. Gods want to change up the status quo and use a human girl as the excuse. She thinks she is a hero. Throw in a completely random lesbian kiss here and there just for good measure, pretty much sums up the lack of depth in characters.
This book has no substance, nothing is difficult to overcome and our main characters growth can be boiled down to having learned a few new stories to tell.
Very simple story. Gods want to change up the status quo and use a human girl as the excuse. She thinks she is a hero. Throw in a completely random lesbian kiss here and there just for good measure, pretty much sums up the lack of depth in characters.
This book has no substance, nothing is difficult to overcome and our main characters growth can be boiled down to having learned a few new stories to tell.
July 20, 2023
"Warriors go alone."
Aydis has been disowned from her viking family becasue she was caught kissing another girl. Alone, she sets out to destroy Odin and his oppresive rule over the viking people and other gods alike. Along the way she meets shape-shifting gods, wolves, mermaids and Valkyries who band together to help Aydis in her quest.
I loved the idea of a gay woman joining up with other women and queer characters to destroy the viking patriarchy. The art was great and I definitely got a little teary at some parts. The mythology being told throughout the story was a great way to string the different encounters together.
I do think the story could have been fleshed out a little more. I feel like certain parts weren't resolved and other parts had quick anticlimactic endings.
Having said that, the complete series was a really quick read. I flew through the 300-ish pages in about an hour and a half, so, if youre looking for a quick graphic novel about badass women taking down a godking then i would recommend this one.
Aydis has been disowned from her viking family becasue she was caught kissing another girl. Alone, she sets out to destroy Odin and his oppresive rule over the viking people and other gods alike. Along the way she meets shape-shifting gods, wolves, mermaids and Valkyries who band together to help Aydis in her quest.
I loved the idea of a gay woman joining up with other women and queer characters to destroy the viking patriarchy. The art was great and I definitely got a little teary at some parts. The mythology being told throughout the story was a great way to string the different encounters together.
I do think the story could have been fleshed out a little more. I feel like certain parts weren't resolved and other parts had quick anticlimactic endings.
Having said that, the complete series was a really quick read. I flew through the 300-ish pages in about an hour and a half, so, if youre looking for a quick graphic novel about badass women taking down a godking then i would recommend this one.
May 13, 2022
Aydis is a viking woman warrior but, she is also a heathen and an outcast. She was born into a time of constant wars and suffering along with the being treated as a second class citizen because she was born a female. Aydis was banished from her village after breaking one of their rules. She decides to destroy the god-king Odin to end his tyrannical reign over humans and immortals. As she makes her journey, Aydis crosses paths with many people who take an interest in her journey.
This has been probably one of my favorite graphic novels I have read this month. The story was interesting and captivating and keep me rooting for Aydis. Unlike other graphic novels, I felt like I could easily follow along and that I wasn't missing some backstory or that they made references to something that I didn't quite get. I thought the drawing style was different and thought it was cool for the most part. I liked the appendix with the collection of covers at the end of the book. If you like reading about badass women who rock, you will like this graphic novel.
This has been probably one of my favorite graphic novels I have read this month. The story was interesting and captivating and keep me rooting for Aydis. Unlike other graphic novels, I felt like I could easily follow along and that I wasn't missing some backstory or that they made references to something that I didn't quite get. I thought the drawing style was different and thought it was cool for the most part. I liked the appendix with the collection of covers at the end of the book. If you like reading about badass women who rock, you will like this graphic novel.
August 18, 2022
I enjoyed the heck out of this and, my goodness, could it be any more timely, with it's 'throwing off the oppressive yoke of the patriarchy' theme? At one point, a character even explicitly says, "Each one of us is the person she is because we reject the authority of men." And let me tell you Odin (the representation of male authority here) does not give that oppressive authority up easily, nor the insistence that it's actually benevolence.
I also loved the art style. I'm admittedly picky about what I like and don't like in the graphic part of a graphic novel, but I like this a lot. I did find all the female flesh on display an odd choice. I'm not necessarily bothered by it—and sure woman can enjoy it too—but all the...I'm gonna call it fan-service...has always seemed very male-gazey to me. And that just felt out of place in a graphic novel that so explicitly was addressing female liberation (sexual and otherwise) from male dictatorship and control.
I also thought the last volume felt far more rushed than the previous ones and therefore the ending was a little anti-climactic. All in all, however, this was a winner for me.
I also loved the art style. I'm admittedly picky about what I like and don't like in the graphic part of a graphic novel, but I like this a lot. I did find all the female flesh on display an odd choice. I'm not necessarily bothered by it—and sure woman can enjoy it too—but all the...I'm gonna call it fan-service...has always seemed very male-gazey to me. And that just felt out of place in a graphic novel that so explicitly was addressing female liberation (sexual and otherwise) from male dictatorship and control.
I also thought the last volume felt far more rushed than the previous ones and therefore the ending was a little anti-climactic. All in all, however, this was a winner for me.
May 26, 2022
I have mixed feelings about that ending. I just wanted this to be uber gay instead of just gay.
But mythology owns my soul.
And Freyja standing proudly with her tits out throughout the entire series is probably my favorite part. I have no problems with goddesses of love embracing the nude nipples.
I do prefer Natasha's art work and character portrayals on the whole but I appreciate the diversity of style in art they decided to go with.
But jesus do I fucking love gay pirates! GIVE ME ALL THE QUEER PIRATES!! I NEED MORE QUEER PIRATES ALL THE TIME!! I also need more mythology comic books in general. Always.
But mythology owns my soul.
And Freyja standing proudly with her tits out throughout the entire series is probably my favorite part. I have no problems with goddesses of love embracing the nude nipples.
I do prefer Natasha's art work and character portrayals on the whole but I appreciate the diversity of style in art they decided to go with.
But jesus do I fucking love gay pirates! GIVE ME ALL THE QUEER PIRATES!! I NEED MORE QUEER PIRATES ALL THE TIME!! I also need more mythology comic books in general. Always.
June 8, 2022
(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss. Trigger warning for misogyny, homophobia, nudity, and violence.)
When the Viking maiden Aydis is caught engaging in "unnatural acts" (kissing her best friend Liv), the village elders (all men, natch) call on her father to choose Aydi's punishment: death or marriage. He chooses death, but instead spares his "little warrior" by taking her to the woods and banishing her from the village forever.
His last words to her: be brave. Brave, like the mother who gave birth to Aydis, alone in the woods, and clung to life just long enough to ensure her daughter would be found.
And so Aydis undertakes the greatest feat of bravery she can imagine: freeing Brynhild, the leader of the Valkyries, from her mountaintop prison. As legend has it, when Brynhild dared defy Odin's orders, he banished Brynhild from the realm of the gods and cursed her to marry a mortal. But only a worthy suitor: one who could conquer the fiery wall that guards the mountain. Brynhild, who once struck fear into the hearts of men, has sat waiting for her savior for centuries. But what if he is actually a she?
In freeing Brynhild, Aydis hopes to break Odin's iron-fisted rule over her people - the women, especially. But an already impossible task becomes all the more labyrinthine when Odin sets his spies, slave armies, and curses against Aydis, Brynhild, and their allies.
I first read the three-volume trade paperback version of HEATHEN, and loved it - right up until the end. I don't recall why, but I remember being a bit disappointed by the final few chapters of Aydis's story. (I gave Volumes 1 & 2 a solid 5/5 stars, whereas Volume 3 merited 3.5/5 stars.) Reading them all in one omnibus, sixteen months later, I'm ... not really sure why? The ending still feels a bit anticlimactic, sure, but it's not terrible. And I can't bring myself to give the omnibus anything other than 5/5 stars (and add it to my favorites shelf, at that).
The artwork is gorgeous; the world building a thing of beauty; the large, diverse cast of supporting characters, utterly compelling. There are all-women pirate crews who sail the seas, searching for trafficked humans to liberate; toothy mermaids with a hankering for apples; doomsday wolves; a sassy wight disguised as a miniature horse; and a pansexual orgy pile led by Freyja herself, now leading the Valkyries since Brynhild's exile.
If your favorite part of VIKINGS was Lagertha, have I got the comic book for you.
Bonus points: the omnibus dropped just in time for pride month!
When the Viking maiden Aydis is caught engaging in "unnatural acts" (kissing her best friend Liv), the village elders (all men, natch) call on her father to choose Aydi's punishment: death or marriage. He chooses death, but instead spares his "little warrior" by taking her to the woods and banishing her from the village forever.
His last words to her: be brave. Brave, like the mother who gave birth to Aydis, alone in the woods, and clung to life just long enough to ensure her daughter would be found.
And so Aydis undertakes the greatest feat of bravery she can imagine: freeing Brynhild, the leader of the Valkyries, from her mountaintop prison. As legend has it, when Brynhild dared defy Odin's orders, he banished Brynhild from the realm of the gods and cursed her to marry a mortal. But only a worthy suitor: one who could conquer the fiery wall that guards the mountain. Brynhild, who once struck fear into the hearts of men, has sat waiting for her savior for centuries. But what if he is actually a she?
In freeing Brynhild, Aydis hopes to break Odin's iron-fisted rule over her people - the women, especially. But an already impossible task becomes all the more labyrinthine when Odin sets his spies, slave armies, and curses against Aydis, Brynhild, and their allies.
I first read the three-volume trade paperback version of HEATHEN, and loved it - right up until the end. I don't recall why, but I remember being a bit disappointed by the final few chapters of Aydis's story. (I gave Volumes 1 & 2 a solid 5/5 stars, whereas Volume 3 merited 3.5/5 stars.) Reading them all in one omnibus, sixteen months later, I'm ... not really sure why? The ending still feels a bit anticlimactic, sure, but it's not terrible. And I can't bring myself to give the omnibus anything other than 5/5 stars (and add it to my favorites shelf, at that).
The artwork is gorgeous; the world building a thing of beauty; the large, diverse cast of supporting characters, utterly compelling. There are all-women pirate crews who sail the seas, searching for trafficked humans to liberate; toothy mermaids with a hankering for apples; doomsday wolves; a sassy wight disguised as a miniature horse; and a pansexual orgy pile led by Freyja herself, now leading the Valkyries since Brynhild's exile.
If your favorite part of VIKINGS was Lagertha, have I got the comic book for you.
Bonus points: the omnibus dropped just in time for pride month!
August 24, 2022
A 12-issue graphic novel centering on Aydis, a young Viking woman who has essentially been exiled from her small town for kissing another girl. With nowhere to go, Aydis and her loyal not-an-actual-horse Saga set off to free the imprisoned former leader of the Valkyrie, Brynhild.
It turns out rescuing a goddess from a ring of enchanted fire on top of a mountain is the easy bit, because before long., Aydis is whisked away by another Valkyrie. meeting vicious man-eating mermaids, and battling Odin, the king of the gods.
Natasha Alterici wrote Heathen and did the art for issues #1-8. Her linework is purposefully, artfully messy, which lends itself well to the roughness of the Scandinavian landscape. Ashley A Woods tags in with issue #9, and though her lineart is more delicate and precise, less scribbly than Alterici's, she keeps to the already developed style and matches the character designs so there's no jarring bump when we segue between the art of Alterici and Woods.
Alterici's colours work in tandem with the art, the cool blues and greys contrast nicely with the warmth of the neutral beiges and browns, all of them muted to evoke the starkness of the landscape. The dreamy watercolour aspect helped bring out movement and shadow, adding depth to the panels.
The story ends a bit abruptly for my liking but I really liked the theme of stories inspiring heroics. Aydis was a great protagonist, easy to care about and root for. And I thought the character design was fabulous - memorable and simple.
It turns out rescuing a goddess from a ring of enchanted fire on top of a mountain is the easy bit, because before long., Aydis is whisked away by another Valkyrie. meeting vicious man-eating mermaids, and battling Odin, the king of the gods.
Natasha Alterici wrote Heathen and did the art for issues #1-8. Her linework is purposefully, artfully messy, which lends itself well to the roughness of the Scandinavian landscape. Ashley A Woods tags in with issue #9, and though her lineart is more delicate and precise, less scribbly than Alterici's, she keeps to the already developed style and matches the character designs so there's no jarring bump when we segue between the art of Alterici and Woods.
Alterici's colours work in tandem with the art, the cool blues and greys contrast nicely with the warmth of the neutral beiges and browns, all of them muted to evoke the starkness of the landscape. The dreamy watercolour aspect helped bring out movement and shadow, adding depth to the panels.
The story ends a bit abruptly for my liking but I really liked the theme of stories inspiring heroics. Aydis was a great protagonist, easy to care about and root for. And I thought the character design was fabulous - memorable and simple.
August 15, 2022
I loved this. I can't think of anything I'd change about it. This is the feminist Viking story y'all need, wrapped up in gorgeous art and filled with a cast of flawed, complex characters you can't help but like. Aydis, a young Viking woman cast out of her village after she's caught kissing another woman, sets out on a quest to rescue Brynhild, former queen of the Valkyries, from the curse Odin placed upon her. After learning that Brynhild's curse is not so easily broken, Aydis sets out to confront Odin and make him lift the curse. Along the way, Aydis gathers many friends and allies: gods, goddesses, Valkyries, a band of female pirates, and mermaids, all of whom help her in many ways while also respecting her creed - warriors go alone. Aydis is brave and badass, she keeps her vows, and she fights for those who can't fight for themselves, and I just really, really loved her. The ending is satisfying and hopeful, and while there wasn't a cliffhanger or anything left undone really, Aydis' adventures could continue in the future should Natasha Alterici decide she'd like add to the story, which I'd love to see! A great read!
January 8, 2024
La historia realmente me llamó mucho la atención y el primer tomo puedo decir que es muy bueno. Es una historia feminista sin ser exagerada, vikingas, mitología nórdica, es magnífico. El primer tomo me encantó tanto el guión como las ilustraciones y colores.
El segundo tomo también.
Pero el tercero lo deteste por completo, para empezar el guión fue una mierda que desecho la esencia de los dos primeros, esperaba una lucha entre las valquirias y Odin, una lucha de Aydis pero no, todo se soluciona con un par de palabritas y ya 😒
La ilustracion tampoco me gustó, pero a ver, si hubiera empezado la historia con esa ilustración no me hubiera molestado, pero realmente no entiendo porque Natasha no siguió en guión ni dibujo en el tercer tomo. Tendrá su nombre pero no hizo ninguna de las dos cosas en ese tercer tomo y eso me jodio.
Era una historia que podría haber sido muy buena, con un feminismo real, sin menospreciar a los hombres buenos como por ejemplo el papá de Aydis, etc, no tendrían que haberla cagado así.
Así que mi puntuación es más para Natasha que para el resto que fue quien trabajo en los dos primeros tomos.
July 17, 2022
Heathen is Norse feminism at its finest.
Yes, you read that right.
Our story begins with Aydis, a Viking warrior exiled from her village for the crime of being different. A crime which should have resulted in her death.
Instead, she chooses to live by her father's word: 'a warrior fights alone' and unabashedly challenges the status quo time and time again. Fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves.
In true epic fashion, this 12-issue arc pits gods and humans against one another as well as themselves. Nordic lore is faithfully recreated in characters such as Odin, Brynhild, Ruadan, and Freyja; with a twist. Love and loyalty are tested, all through an inclusive lens. Sweet, refreshing, and beguiling Heathen is a story that I know I will revisit. I only wish I could find news of a sequel.
Oh! And I almost forgot to mention: The artwork is beautiful in its simplicity, reminiscent of the golden age of comics. Watercolors and lineart combine to create a real visual sense of scope. I am really glad that I grabbed this one on a whim.
Yes, you read that right.
Our story begins with Aydis, a Viking warrior exiled from her village for the crime of being different. A crime which should have resulted in her death.
Instead, she chooses to live by her father's word: 'a warrior fights alone' and unabashedly challenges the status quo time and time again. Fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves.
In true epic fashion, this 12-issue arc pits gods and humans against one another as well as themselves. Nordic lore is faithfully recreated in characters such as Odin, Brynhild, Ruadan, and Freyja; with a twist. Love and loyalty are tested, all through an inclusive lens. Sweet, refreshing, and beguiling Heathen is a story that I know I will revisit. I only wish I could find news of a sequel.
Oh! And I almost forgot to mention: The artwork is beautiful in its simplicity, reminiscent of the golden age of comics. Watercolors and lineart combine to create a real visual sense of scope. I am really glad that I grabbed this one on a whim.
May 23, 2022
What a fantastic story.
I love this comic by Natasha Alterici (with Ashley Woods, Rachel Deering, and Morgan Martinez) that merges Nordic myths with a distinctly modern sensibility. Our hero is Aydis, a young girl recently banished from her village. Think Red Sonja, only she's gay, she's a Viking, and she is off on a coming-of-age revenge story that is spiced with a healthy dose of fantasy adventure. Complementing the story is Alterici and Woods' art, which is so astonishingly bleak and beautiful that every panel feels cold and crisp like a winter morning.
Its a great time to be reading comics, and Heathen is a perfect example of all that's great in the medium! Plus, this complete edition is a well-produced and convenient way to get the whole story at once.
Note: there is a bit of nudity, eyes are squished, and the occasional arm is pulled off. Take that information as warning or incentive, depending on your tastes.
Highly recommended.
I love this comic by Natasha Alterici (with Ashley Woods, Rachel Deering, and Morgan Martinez) that merges Nordic myths with a distinctly modern sensibility. Our hero is Aydis, a young girl recently banished from her village. Think Red Sonja, only she's gay, she's a Viking, and she is off on a coming-of-age revenge story that is spiced with a healthy dose of fantasy adventure. Complementing the story is Alterici and Woods' art, which is so astonishingly bleak and beautiful that every panel feels cold and crisp like a winter morning.
Its a great time to be reading comics, and Heathen is a perfect example of all that's great in the medium! Plus, this complete edition is a well-produced and convenient way to get the whole story at once.
Note: there is a bit of nudity, eyes are squished, and the occasional arm is pulled off. Take that information as warning or incentive, depending on your tastes.
Highly recommended.
August 28, 2022
A really solid little Viking series. Aydis has been cast out of her village as a lesbian, so she climbs a mountain to free the Valkyrie Brynhilde from Odin's curse. But Odin's curse goes deeper than expected and soon Aydis's goal is the undoing of Odin's godly rule over man.
Heathen is full of good characters, but none so appealing as Aydis, who has a knack for doing the right thing for the right person and making her goal significantly easier to achieve. It's a joy to follow her journey. Heathen moves fast and is deeply engaging, not mention smarter and slicker than you might expect from a debut series. Well worth a read, particularly in this omnibus edition.
Heathen is full of good characters, but none so appealing as Aydis, who has a knack for doing the right thing for the right person and making her goal significantly easier to achieve. It's a joy to follow her journey. Heathen moves fast and is deeply engaging, not mention smarter and slicker than you might expect from a debut series. Well worth a read, particularly in this omnibus edition.
September 8, 2022
I have to start by saying that the art is gorgeous. It fits the story perfectly and made me go back and savor it immediately after finishing it. There are panels that tell entire stories with a tiny detail that needs no words, then there are panels with poetic text that enhances the overall lyrical feel of the story. It's the perfect marriage of images and words to tell a powerful story.
I also love how it tells a very traditional Viking story with a very modern twist that makes the story feel as modern as it is classic. The fact that Aydis is so sure about herself in every situation and about all her actions and she just goes for it.
I also love how it tells a very traditional Viking story with a very modern twist that makes the story feel as modern as it is classic. The fact that Aydis is so sure about herself in every situation and about all her actions and she just goes for it.
September 7, 2025
I liked this! Aydis feels like a young, lesbian Wonder Woman but based out of Norse mythology instead of Greek. She has that same determined, unstoppable, virtuous personality Diana has. I like the parallels between the Valkyrie and the Amazons as well! Odin was written so well in this, but I am not familiar enough with Freyja in Norse mythology to say how well she was written here. The only minor gripe I have is that at some points it feels very corny/tropey (especially in regard to the gay characters) and the very sketchy artstyle for the majority of the novel was not my favorite, but I still recommend!!
May 31, 2022
Heathen was not at all what I expected, but man did I enjoy it. This book featured a badass lesbian viking who has been cast out of her community. Not only does she fight for other outcasts, but goes on an epic hero journey.
I don’t usually read graphic novels and I enjoyed this book more than I expected. The characters were well-developed and interesting, the storyline was unique, and the artwork is gorgeous!
I absolutely loved this comic! Norse mythology is some of my favorite myths and I loved this unique version.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I don’t usually read graphic novels and I enjoyed this book more than I expected. The characters were well-developed and interesting, the storyline was unique, and the artwork is gorgeous!
I absolutely loved this comic! Norse mythology is some of my favorite myths and I loved this unique version.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
June 4, 2025
3.5. really quick read, very fun and engaging i got through this whole thing in under two hours.
i thought that characters were enjoyable! i definitely didn’t follow the storyline entirely, there was a lot going on which was really neat at some points and so damn confusing at others — ie: scenes split up, thematically paralleling each other but then characters would say vague things and i wasn’t sure who was being referred to. maybe a me issue since i don’t know norse mythology much at all?? i ADORED the talking animals though! and the lesbians, of course.
i thought that characters were enjoyable! i definitely didn’t follow the storyline entirely, there was a lot going on which was really neat at some points and so damn confusing at others — ie: scenes split up, thematically paralleling each other but then characters would say vague things and i wasn’t sure who was being referred to. maybe a me issue since i don’t know norse mythology much at all?? i ADORED the talking animals though! and the lesbians, of course.
January 2, 2023
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After upsetting the village leaders by kissing another girl, Aydis is now an outcast looking to survive. She gets the brainiac idea to free a banished valkyrie, Brynhild, to help slay Odin, the God of all Gods, for the unfairness and mistreatment of his archaic rules.
I loved this story. It is simple but well put together and very entertaining. I was fascinated by Aydis and Brynhild's story, and the artwork and coloring were mesmerizing.
After upsetting the village leaders by kissing another girl, Aydis is now an outcast looking to survive. She gets the brainiac idea to free a banished valkyrie, Brynhild, to help slay Odin, the God of all Gods, for the unfairness and mistreatment of his archaic rules.
I loved this story. It is simple but well put together and very entertaining. I was fascinated by Aydis and Brynhild's story, and the artwork and coloring were mesmerizing.
May 29, 2022
I’m surprised at how much I enjoyed this. This story had everything from a great plot to a strong female lead. I love the inclusivity and mythologies have always been my vibe! The ending could have been a little more, and there were moments for me that were a little slow; however, the artwork is stunning and compliments the story so well. 10 out of 10, would recommend!
February 25, 2024
An action-packed comic omnibus! The art is beautifully loose and sketchy while still detailed, and the characters and writing are very enjoyable. Norse and Viking mythology is very interesting and this book was no let-down! The queer representation was pretty good as well, I especially enjoyed how casually it was used with the goddesses and valkyries.
September 21, 2024
No substance girl power romp. Don't get me wrong, I liked it, honestly! There's just... not a lot there to work with beyond surface level appreciation. I burned an hour doing worse things, you know?
I like the art, good use of colors, some fun expressions. A more visual person then I might get more out of that angle.
I like the art, good use of colors, some fun expressions. A more visual person then I might get more out of that angle.
February 21, 2025
3.5 stars rounded down.
This was a good story, I loved the art style, and the characters were really well created and fleshed out. I thought the ending was a bit too convenient, I would've liked to see it drawn out a bit more or at least deliver on the threat promised. It put a bit of a dampener on the rest of the story to be honest.
This was a good story, I loved the art style, and the characters were really well created and fleshed out. I thought the ending was a bit too convenient, I would've liked to see it drawn out a bit more or at least deliver on the threat promised. It put a bit of a dampener on the rest of the story to be honest.
December 22, 2022
Interesting art that looked common to online comics, engaging story, but a little too neatly and quickly wrapped up to warrant five-stars. This story was not written for me, so it lacked emotional for me, but it was still a good read.
December 30, 2022
i really liked the story. and the art.. at least up until the 7th?? 8th??? issue. i hate when artists change style mid story. the ending felt a lil bit rushed? i wanted to know more about aydis’ future :(
February 18, 2023
What beautiful art! And a beautiful. Good and kindness and love can triumph over power, and justice and the rules of men and gods. This story empowers women, kindness, compassion, free thinking, and love. I devoured it and loved every moment. And the art is just stunning. A fantastic series!
March 7, 2024
Would make an interesting mini-series. Way too much condensed down. Could even make a good book but this had much more that was implied instead of expounding upon. Feels more like the outline, well more like storyboard of a really long book or movie
May 23, 2024
3.5
Simple but nice illustrations with the occasional full page to strike a tone accompanied by a simple story that didn't do anything too special. I also felt that the final issue seemed to bring everything together in a way that didn't fully make sense and made the ending feel unnearned. It could have used a couple more issues, but with how the story wasn't really capturing my attention, I'm not sure I would have been able to stick it out for too much longer.
The part I liked the most about Heathen was the queer representation. As a lesbian
Simple but nice illustrations with the occasional full page to strike a tone accompanied by a simple story that didn't do anything too special. I also felt that the final issue seemed to bring everything together in a way that didn't fully make sense and made the ending feel unnearned. It could have used a couple more issues, but with how the story wasn't really capturing my attention, I'm not sure I would have been able to stick it out for too much longer.
The part I liked the most about Heathen was the queer representation. As a lesbian
May 23, 2024
Read this when it was single issues and Vault was a new company with only a few titles.
A young woman refuses to submit to the will of the gods and this is the story of her fight.
I really liked this one when it came out and still did on a re-read.
A young woman refuses to submit to the will of the gods and this is the story of her fight.
I really liked this one when it came out and still did on a re-read.
July 2, 2024
Sexy and diverse female characters and a talking horse?!?!
A favorite read of 2024! Amazing art style and storyline. I could defiantly see myself re-reading, recommending and even purchasing this because I borrowed this from a library. The art is beautiful and diverse and THE HORSE Talks.
A favorite read of 2024! Amazing art style and storyline. I could defiantly see myself re-reading, recommending and even purchasing this because I borrowed this from a library. The art is beautiful and diverse and THE HORSE Talks.
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July 23, 2024Loved the art through this graphic novel. I’m new to graphic novels so I don’t have a lot to compare it to, but I loved the character development - it was done so well through the artwork and limited words. Beautiful Norse gods retelling with a sapphic twist
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