WRITING THE RUNES @ IMAGE: RUNES OF RAGNAN

[MattBrady]

by Ryan McLelland

As Runes of Ragnan launches its second issue next month fans of the series might notice a change on its front cover. No longer published by up and coming indy publisher Silent Devil, the series has moved on to work in conjunction with Image Comics under Jim Valentino’s Shadowline imprint. One look at the series and it’s easy to tell why the jump was made: Runes of Ragnan boasts the vivid artwork and amazing color usually published by Image.

Written by Ty Gorton and penciled by Joshua Medors, Runes of Ragnan follows the tale of two Viking brothers fighting a long fight to obtain the Runes of Ragnan – a fight that starts in 897AD and leads us all the way to modern day. Reminiscent of the best years of Conan with that added modern flair, Runes of Ragnan #1 immediately made eyes turn for fans of barbarians, fantasy, sci-fi, and many other genres.

The entire creative team is hyped about their move to Image and eager to talk about what makes their book great. “Viking mythology, steel on steel on flesh brutality, more than a thousand years of epic confrontation, all mixed with subtle fantasy elements,” said writer Ty Gorton. “And intestines, we can't forget the intestines.” Artist Joshua Medors is a bit simpler in his explanation, “I’m not as clever with words. So I would say: Vikings, swords, axes, blood, flying guts, and monsters!”

Either quick description paints a simple picture of the thousand year old fight to obtain the Runes of Ragnan. As issue #1 featured a beautiful back story of Eldjarn in the 9th century showing off not only his swordsmanship but a bit of mysticism that surrounds the ‘man’, issue #2 jumps right back into the action after a powerful demon is released onto Earth looking for a bit of world domination.

The team knows that this is not your everyday superhero comic book and knows that’s what bests separates themselves in today’s market. “There are several things that I feel separate Runes of Ragnan from other comics,” says Gorton. “This is not an assembly line creation, the team is passionate about every page and work on the project because it is something they have a vested interest in, emotionally and financially. The attempt with this book is to offer up something more than entertainment. Beyond the gory battles and fantastical nature of the storylines, there is a lot of meaning readers can absorb and decipher. As a writer, if I don't make people think, I'm just not doing my job.”

Gorton is also quick to quip what best differentiates is the series’ name, “It doesn’t involve the letter X.”



Adds Medors, “We try our hardest to stay away from the assembly line way of thinking that it is easy to get stuck in. We don’t simply do our job and pass it on. Each creator is involved, treats every page like it is a work of art, and is involved with the look of the book all the way to the final stages, and I think this shows. We also try and get the readers involved with each issue, with contests like ‘Find the Runes,’ and the Art Contest.”

The final look is issue #1 should serve as the greatest proof of an amazing final product. Silent Devil worked hard to have the first issue available for Wizard World Chicago where the book fell into the hands of Shadowline editor Kris Simon. One week after WW: Chicago, Silent Devil was in talks with Shadowline about publishing the series with Image Comics. The rest, one would say, is history.

“Issue #1 set the bar,” says Gorton. “Being with Image is not going to have any impact on our quality. Whether this is a book we were selling out of our garage or a book distributed nation wide under the Image umbrella, this creative team is going to put in 110% effort on every page. Image wants what we want, to make sure all that hard work gets appreciated by as many people as possible.”

And fans certainly have been appreciating the quality of Runes of Ragnan. No one is more happy then Medors. “It seems people are really digging it. I’m a freak when it comes to reading every review that pops up online, and I’ve yet to read a bad one. No really, when a bad review comes up, I just don’t read it,” jests Medors. But Medors is also quick to note, “We are going to keep on doing what we are doing. Hopefully the readers will see the art team grow with each issue. I can tell you now that the art in issue #2 has taken a big leap forward, and hopefully we’ll continue to get better as we do the book.”

Look for Runes of Ragnan #2 from Image Comics when it hits stores nationwide January 2006.

[Jay Carvajal]

If the story is as good as the art this should be one awesome project. Count me down for the first issue.

-Jay

[johnturned51]

Originally posted by Jay Carvajal
If the story is as good as the art this should be one awesome project. Count me down for the first issue.

-Jay

Better order quick, i had my shop order me a copy a month ago and they just got it. It was damaged so I'm holding out to see if they can get a better copy in.....

[Bakema NL]

Originally posted by Jay Carvajal
If the story is as good as the art this should be one awesome project. Count me down for the first issue.

-Jay

Get it quick, by Silent devil productions, Image's first issue is the 2nd in the series like it said in the article. And it was a beautiful first issue too, I hope this book finds a big audience.

[John Osen]

I got #1 used for $1.40!

[Kris Simon]

Issue #1 has been made available for ordering through Diamond again! The order code is JUL053047.

Pre-order issue#2 (NOV051712) at the same time!

Issue #1 can also be ordered through the Silent Devil website at www.runescomic.com.

You guys REALLY don't want to miss an issue of this series, it's spectacular! Ty and Josh really know how to tell a good yarn. I was very fortunate to stumble across this series.

[CBeranek]

Originally posted by Jay Carvajal
If the story is as good as the art this should be one awesome project. Count me down for the first issue.

-Jay

It is, and I'm not just saying that cuz I'm editing the book.

[CBeranek]

Originally posted by johnturned51
Better order quick, i had my shop order me a copy a month ago and they just got it. It was damaged so I'm holding out to see if they can get a better copy in.....

Sorry about the damaged copy. Drop me a line at christianberanek@gmail.com and we'll work to get a better copy out to you.

We also have copies available for order direct here:

http://www.silentdevil.com/runes-of-ragnan.php

Previews and descriptions are posted there as well.

Although Silent Devil is not publishing the book, we are helping in the production of it, along with promotion.

Thanks to Jim and Kris at Shadowline for believing in us!

[Baka baka]

I picked up issue 1 from Josh at WW Chicago this year. It really is a good book, both storywise and artwise.