Review by Colin Credle
In Head Lopper‘s opening volume we are impressed with Norgal’s feats of strength, laconic wit and intrigued with the acerbic decapitated head of the witch Agnes. Those that know Norgal know of him in a remote legendary sense based on exaggerated retelling of his magnificent feats. In Volume Two, we learn Norgal is not an irascible loner, but in fact has friends, fellow warriors and is even willing to fight for them. Head Lopper and the Knights of Venora now introduces brief flashbacks of Norgal’s back story as author and illustrator Andrew MacLean brings Norgal back to a city of his past that has almost forgotten him. It turns out, Norgal fought alongside brother warriors long ago.
Goblins are attacking the city of Venora, where a large unhatched, ancient egg ensconced in the middle of the walled city is prophesied to hatch a horrid monster. Third Sword Arlenfor hopes to stave off war by holding off the Goblins until they realize the egg in fact will not hatch and the Goblin prophecy will fall flat. Others insist on bringing the war to the Goblins as soon as possible to prevent any more attacks. It seems war is inevitable.
Meanwhile, there are political intrigues and jockeying for power within the walls of Venora. The Healers and Knights have been shunted aside from their traditional role as protectors thanks to the machinations of Archduke Florentine, and there is a shadowy villain at work behind the scenes. The action and intrigue along with the flashbacks make for a much busier and more ambitious volume of Head Lopper. Don’t forget the large egg.
There are more characters, more plotlines and more action to keep track of this time. Jordie Bellaire’s colours burst off the page, while MacLean’s distinctive art at this point seamlessly moves the plot along. With more events happening and tying into Norgal’s past, there is greater depth and attention paid to Norgal’s relationships, which helps make him a more well-rounded person of interest with more at stake than simply decapitating his foes. Starting off hungover, bereaved and alone in the forest, Norgal’s journey takes off at a heady pace in unpredictable, mysterious and intriguing directions.
