An Underrated Sci-Fi Viking Fantasy Epic - THORGAL 

"Beyond the shadows" "Alinoë" "The Archers" And the "Land of Qa-trilogy" are defiitely my favorites

Album no.7 tells the story from Thorgal childhood and gives some answers of the origin of Thorgal. Love the series

It's so weird to think Thorgal wouldn't be easily available, here it's just one of those things you can just pick up at a library or buy for very cheap in a bookstore. I guess things really are different on the other side of the Atlantic. Your journey into European comics will be very interesting, I hope. Stuff like Sláine , Wika or Requiem Vampire Knight are outstanding.

Wait... France and Belgium are NOT the West? WTF Ryan? XD. It's weird how European comics are so rarely known in America. I remember being shocked that a lot of American "comic fans" didn't know Asterix and Obelix, for example, or even Tintin.

It's a European classic so almost everyone is familiar with Thorgal on this continent. Many famous Franco-Belgian comics didn't get the attention they deserved with US audience, but, strangely, Thorgal got a similar treatment from US publishers although it isn't some art comic that has a loose narrative and that can be interpreted in 100 different ways (stuff that is usually regarded as off-putting for US readers). On the contrary, Thorgal has classical sword and sorcery motives, that are intertwined with various mythologies, and even some SF background (as you mentioned) which works surprisingly well in this case. This comic is in some regards similar to Conan, but the main protagonists have quite different personalities. In any case, I'm sure that US readers would love it if they had more significant exposure from publishers. Here in Serbia (and the whole former Yugoslavia), Thorgal has some kind of cult following because it was issued back in the '80 in some comic magazine (black and white) that everybody read, and many (older) generations were raised on those adventures.

I love Thorgal but I think of it more as a Polish-Belgian comic as artist was polish and writer was Belgian. It was only printed in France. But that aside I grew up reading it and love it to this day

THORGAL has been a huge classic in french-belgian comics for decades ! The 13 first books are total masterpieces

I love the artstyle of Grzegorz Rosinski, one of the best polish graphic artist, sadly he gave up drawnig thorgal :(

As American who grew up in Belgian, this saga not only taught me French, it made me want to read. Thorgal is an EPIC story that hasn't even ended yet! They release a book every 5 years and while it makes the wait long, each story is a handmade work of art and tale of awesomeness. Love every page and every image.

I’m collecting thorgal since I was 5 (I’m 19 now) and I’m so happy finally someone made video about it

If you are interested in more European comics about vikings, I highly recommend Valhalla by Peter Madsen, a danish comic retelling most major Norse myths. The first few stories are a bit rough, both in regards to the art and the story, but from "Odin's bet" and onwards it's a fantastic time.

I loved reading this series as a child! You can still buy it in book/comic stores here in the Netherlands. I think there are many comic series like Thorgal here in the Benelux/France as these countries have a very strong comic tradition. But Thorgal was easily my favourite

Definitely looks sword and sorcery type thing. Love it.

Do a Review for Metabarons next

Dear Sir, you are asking if I know Thorgal. In Poland, Thorgal is surrounded by a cult. When I was young, every other boy wanted to be him (and no surprise - wonder - girls, adventures, his character, his abilities...). The first 17 parts are excellent or at least good, later it varied. Certainly, over time, all the characters gained additional depth, becoming less and less black and white. A definite masterpiece are the Archers, Alinoe and the whole series in the Land of Qa, this was also the artistic peak of Rosinski: while the first parts were sometimes oversimplified, and the latest stuff lacked precision, the stories I mentioned were read and watched with admiration.

Very famous in Poland too. I think apart from UK most of Europeans know Thorgal. Chninkiel is another one you have to check out

Thorgal is great. Here in Norway we've always read slot of French and Belgian comics, both in magazines, anthologies and in albums/collections. For the longest time, one of the most popular comic-magazines was Lee Falk's The Phantom, and there was always other comics running as guest-series and such, and Thorgal was one of the longest-running, and that's how I first read it. Great stuff. The Phantom is also interesting, as he's an American character that is way more popular in Europe than in the US, and the magazine printed both classic American comics, as well as new Scandinavian-produced stories.

Oooh another new series to look up to. Thank you.

Thorgal and the Meta-Barons are masterpieces of Sci-Fantasy.

I remember reading "the Archers" in some omnibus containing a variety of comics, for my birthday. I was intrigued by some of the mature content and violence, but also by how memorable and likable the characters are. Later i discovered other thorgalbooks at the local library and was pleasantly surprised that the series has mythological and scifi-elements as well. Another vintage comic i have fond memories of, is "Elfquest" (It has wild wolf-riding elves!)

I've been reading it since yesterday , I'm at the end of the 9th volume (i read the first couple volumes, then continued with the original book where you started, then finished the other stories of young thorgal before moving into the story proper) it really is great. Gives me conan vibes but with a more connected plot and relatable characters. I may never be a king like conan, but i may someday be a father like thorgal.

Pls read Blacksad, need to enlighten people to the gold that can be found in modern western comics. Also check out Fear Agent and Low by Rick Remender, East of West by Jonathan Hickman and Daytripper and Sandman by Neil Gaiman.

My guy you did it again. I'm hooked.

One of the best stories i read as a child, i read them in danish since that in scandinavia thats the most cheap way to get the magazines in physical form until recently i guess:). In adulthood i managed to get all of them and still i read them from time to time and it still gives me enjoyment even as a grown up man in my 40 s:)

Thorgal is also polish comics Rosiński is Polish

Awesome. Please more foreign literature (comics,novels, graphic novels, etc)

I'm currently rereading them as I thought the series had come to a close (I don't think it actually did). Something that stood out to me is that the last comic you mentioned isn't supposed to take place so early on on the series. Child of the stars is issue 7 and Aaricia is issue 14 (making the elders of Aran issue 3). In case you're ever thinking of finishing the whole series, there are currently 40 comics to the main series, as well as 3 spinoffs - The younger years of Thorgal (10 books) - Kriss van Valnor (8) - Wolvin (7) The names might be different of course, this is what they're called in Dutch. I'm mostly curious to see how they'll translate Wolvin (it's the name of Thorgal daughter, who's born much later in the series, and it literally means She-wolf but in English that sounds silly tbh, why is there no word for female wolves like you have for lionesses lol) Anyway, I thought the series ended but they're adding more books it seems. I think the main comic is considered completed (the spinoffs as well, they've already tied back into the main story), but they've published another comic (I don't wanna say the name cuz it sounds spoilery) that is from the Thorgal Saga as they call it, and it seems they're inviting other artists to tell the rest of Thorgals life in the way skalds would, which is pretty neat since Thorgal was a skald for a bit when he was younger. I could keep ranting cuz I love this series so much. To everyone in doubt, please pick it up. If you like vikings, you like young and honourable heroes, you like fantasy and space - it's literally all there haha

Man this is such a nostalgia trip, I read Thorgal as a kid (swede here!), just like another scandinavian dude here I read it as part of The Phantom magazine. So cool that you're covering it here on your channel, Ryan! This made my day, thanks! 👍

Guys, I could not recommend Thorgal enough, especially mini arch story from issue The Archers through to “Entre Terre et lumière”or any other Rosinski/Van Hamme collaborations, best being “Chninkel or The Great Power of Chninkel”, even better if you can find it in original edition B&W! You’ll thank me later

Sounds awesome!

I love Thorgal! If you like this I HIGHLY recommend chronicles of the Dragon Knights and Arawn. Both are dark fantasies with interesting concepts. The latter of which is what happens when you give a Sauron like villain a tragic origin story. Check them out!

What a great find!

Soon you'll be reading a 4 novel series. "The Norseman Saga" w/Caelan Erikson who wields the Hell-Forged Spear & Glacius Axe & Trinity Shield while trying to procure Divine weapons

Thorgal reminds me of this novel I loved called Jandar of Callisto.

Lets get our boi to 100k,people!

I love this community

Something I should mention about Thorgal's "ancestry", which you seemed to have glossed over. The reason why there's no difference between Thorgal and other humans is because he is human. Thorgal's people came from Atlantis, which was technologically superior to their neighbours, and in order to flee from the warlike behaviour of the other nations, they build a spaceship to leave Earth. But the planet on which they settled had limited resources, so they send an expedition back to Earth to gather raw materials. It's this ship that was destroyed and of which Thorgal is a survivor.

Should give Druuna a read. Beautiful artwork, babes and weird ass story

French comics now huh? Oh la la

Now I am like hey, you seen kung fury?

Damn…..The Twin Engine studio needs to hop on this shit.Give it that Vinland Saga treatment😏

You will probably adore Don Lawrence's Storm comics, famous here in Holland and in England too they are undiscovered gold for many comic fans overseas. Every picture is a beautiful oil painting.

French or Italians. Their Bande Deszinnes are pretty awesome.

I was looking for a comic I had years ago (it turned out to be a Vagabond from Limbo story. The main character is Axel Moonshine story, the comic in question was a Grand alchemist one of the few stories translated from French). All I could remember was the man had a bit of a Conan looks about him but wore robes. An interest search suggested Thorgal. I started reading and fell in love with the series. He has a few more encounters with his people in later stories and has two children with Aarcia. A few twists but to reveal them would spoil the adventure.

I recommend checking out "Hombre", it is an Spanish comic. I think it is very interesting.

I had picked up a few issues up in a comic shop up in Montreal, I used it to try to practice French. I had picked up a few English copies at the local thrift shop.

I found this masterpiece in city library 26 years ago i was hypnotised It works on my imagination so vividly and helped me to expand my consciousness ;) since then i am hooked, i have 21 from collection and i am planning to continue with Yves Sente :)

You should check out "Yans".. another great comic book series with Rosinski's drawings

He sounds like a well behaved Conan. I will check it out

Its published by cinebook in English

and a video games is coming hype

My childhood Basicly still no game or movie.....😢

I've been collecting the comics since I was a kid, I have most of them in polish if you want scans I could prob send them over if I get some free time.

AYO a manga you should check out.... is Fourteen by Kazuo Umezu its a bop.

6:01 Oh no, Child of the Stars is the seven book published, is not ment to be readed so early.

Badass video

How 'bout the Elric Saga by Julien Blondel (originally by Michael Moorcock); think you and the audience would enjoy the series

Tintin next!!

I read only first HC book (first three stories) and drawing is beautiful but to me it's a kid's comic. It has some death and dark fantasy but no real hc gore. Story is mix of Vikings and science fantasy but done in a really minimalistic way, characters are also poorly defined. I'm talking only about first 3 stories, don't know does it gets more mature and developed later. And there is this naive pacifism going through it that is just stupid in context of the plot at times. Last one of the stories I read was the best, like a dark fairy tale for kids. It's a good comic but to me as a grownup not what I expected.

Read some of this. Was really good.

you are French Belgium. for which of those countries ending of surname-ski is characteristcal?

go ahead my man..spoil it..we be aight. just saw the Thorgal Trailer pushed by the Unreal Engine 5 for the PS5 and PC. Release date probably 2025. Looks pretty killa...

Sorry but being a fan of Thorgal since 1989 I need to critique you no it's NOT FRENCH!!!! it's half Belgian & half POLISH thorgal IS NOT FRENCH!!! Rosinski 's art is AMAZING he is a polish artist and the writer.is Belgian. There are amazing audio books on RU-vid in Polish that I recommend(for those who speak polish ). I have all of physical copies in German and Polish, in English the haven't censored the words as much as they censored boobes mainly cause the USA they don't like nudity guns ok but no boobies lol I listen to Rosinski interview that he gave around 20 years ago. Which is also available on RU-vid it's very interesting

Would you consider reviewing some Godzilla comics?

Thorghal is Polish mostly

I've never heard such a primitive review of a gem that Thorgal comic book is...

Some nudity was censored.

3 elders from Aran is 3rd chapter not 4th

🤠👍🏿

POLISH-BELGIAN! Rosinski is polish, do your research first

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-RHAm8lK5pLs.html

I see Thorgal in store but never buy any. This is thing of my parents generions.