Review by Colin Credle

As both writer and illustrator of Head Lopper & The Island or A Plague of Beasts, Andrew MacLean produces a distinctive fantasy adventure about warrior Norgal’s escapades through the island realm of Barra. The mythical son of the Minotaur, Norgal is a laconic, acerbic man of action cutting his way through the corrupt machinations, the monsters and the nefarious plans of all those who would thwart him. Norgal quickly wins the reader’s admiration for just plugging along with determination, never waning and never flagging from his path of weird and captivating obstacles.

Colourist Mike Spicer is just what MacLean’s clean lines need to jump off the page. The story is lit up brightly and clearly with elegant lines and a limited number of panels to keep the momentum moving as the illustrations and colouring meld together for an attractive package.

Famous or infamous, Norgal is recognised everywhere he ventures. However, he is not fond of his nickname “the Head Lopper.” When addressed as Head Lopper, Norgal harumphs and reminds people of his name, although dragging behind him the decapitated head of a talkative and irreverent witch named Agnes doesn’t help in changing his name. The only clues as to Norgal’s past appear when he bumps into old friends who address him with familiarity and unwelcome recollections. Along the way, Norgal jumps in at every opportunity to slay monsters and help the innocent. The monsters are imaginative and weird enough to keep you reading and intrigued.

The “Head Lopper” is surrounded by bad intentions. Yet, none of these intentions seem to faze him as he cuts his way through it all. It is very entertaining and very basic, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Norgal never really faces a challenge where the outcome is a concern, or a challenge that might require some careful thinking to overcome, while the decapitated head of the witch Agnes is sometimes a resentful foe and then an indispensable ally. Agnes is a mystery, a very comical travelling companion who acts a great foil to Norgal’s laconic retorts, while there’s enough mystery and action to want to keep reading. It is enjoyable, but there is never a doubt to the outcome, never a concern that maybe Norgal underestimated his foe. The journey is clear cut from start to finish.

Head Lopper & the Crimson Tower follows.