Summary:
Amid the chaos of the Viking war for dominance over England, a boy has everything taken from him and vows revenge. But violent dreams bring no peace…
The beloved action epic that inspired the hit anime returns, in premium collector’s hardcovers!
Includes volumes 1-3 of the Japanese edition of Vinland Saga and new bonus content.
As a child, Thorfinn sat at the feet of the great Leif Ericson and thrilled to wild tales of a land far to the west. But his youthful fantasies were shattered by a mercenary raid. Raised by the Vikings who murdered his family, Thorfinn became a terrifying warrior, forever seeking to kill the band’s leader, Askeladd, and avenge his father. Sustaining Thorfinn through his ordeal are his pride in his family and his dreams of a fertile westward land, a land without war or slavery…the land Leif called Vinland.
This premium, hardcover edition presents the acclaimed action epic in hardcover, at a bigger size than ever before (7 by 10 inches), wrapped in a red leather-patterned cover with logo stamping. This new edition features all the content of the original release, plus new and exclusive bonus illustrations, interviews, and behind-the-scenes details never before translated.
Includes volumes 1-3 of the Japanese edition of Vinland Saga and the following bonus content:
- Exclusive color art never before published in English
- Creator Makoto Yukimura opens up about the pivotal moments of the story.
- Faux leather covers featuring historical Viking runes
- Original endpapers with a beautiful, color map
- Larger size than ever before
- Maps, concept art, and behind-the-scenes details
Review:
Now for something different. Today, I will be reviewing the deluxe edition of Vinland Saga’s first volume. I need to preface that I am typically not a manga reader, but do have experience with Western comics. Normally, I feel the times I’ve tried to read manga the flow of the narration has been disjointed. Not this time.
It may help that I am a fanboy of the Vinland Saga anime. Honestly, both seasons were among the best shows I’ve watched or any genre or format. It may help too that Vinland Saga deals with many of the same themes and aesthetics as my writing.
There are no flow issues here. The story is coherent and poignant and brutal. The art breathlessly takes us from Iceland to bits of England and the characters are all distinct and full of life.
Vinland Saga at its core is the story of Thorfinn, son of Thors, a boy who becomes a young man obsessed with vengeance for his father. To get this vengeance, he serves as a warrior under his father’s murderer, a man called Askeladd, who promises him duels in exchange for service.
The characters are larger than life and though the narrative is grounded in historical events, there are the brutal fights and superhuman heroics associated with shonen manga. I am particularly fond of Askeladd who, in my opinion, is one of the greatest villains ever.
Clever, cruel, brutal, enigmatical, and with a flair for the dramatic, Askeladd steals the show in every panel he appears on. Thorfinn, while no slouch tends to be more of a vehicle for the progression of the plot at this point in his narrative. Having watched the anime, I know this is part of the point and will change as the story continues.
Now the art. Devastatingly violent at times and mesmerizing beautiful at others, the art is just as much a part of the whole package as the captivating story.
What I think works well is the breathless pace in which we are shown significant events and we never pause for filler. Each panel tells a story that completes the larger plot and brings us forward to the inevitable.
The best stories feel that way to me. Inevitable. Askeladd has a brilliant moment where he waxes poetic about the end of the world and the end of the Danes. The march towards Ragnarok is unceasing, and Vinland Saga makes every step forward a moment of horrific joy.
The deluxe version also makes reading this story fantastic. Faux leather is covered with Viking runes with a minimalist red and white color scheme. The pages are bigger than the standard size of manga making for easier reading and more detail in the art. There’s even a built-in ribbon for making your pages assuming that you don’t read it all in one go.
I recommend this anime, this manga, and this special edition with my entire being.
Go get it.