''Head Lopper'' is a
comic book
A comic book, comic-magazine, or simply comic is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panel (comics), panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and wri ...
series created by writer and artist
Andrew MacLean, currently published by
Image Comics
Image Comics is an independent American American comic book, comic book publisher and is the third largest direct market comic book and graphic novel publisher in the industry by market share. Its best-known publications include ''Spawn (comics) ...
. The story follows the exploits of the Viking warrior Norgal (or "head lopper", as some call him) and the severed head of Agatha the Blue Witch.
Publishing history
''Head Lopper'' originally began as a self-published project by comics creator Andrew MacLean. In 2015 it was picked up for a four-issue miniseries.
The character originated from a piece for Brand New Nostalgia. The theme of the week had been Vikings, and a bearded warrior with a witch's head skewered on his sword was the result.
Self-published issues
''Head Lopper'' #1 debuted at
Heroes Con 2013. The first issue was a small print run and thus costly to produce. The second issue was funded via a
Kickstarter
Kickstarter, PBC is an American Benefit corporation, public benefit corporation based in Brooklyn, New York City, that maintains a global crowdfunding platform focused on creativity. The company's stated mission is to "help bring creative project ...
campaign launched October 10, 2013.
Image Comics issues
In 2015
Image Comics
Image Comics is an independent American American comic book, comic book publisher and is the third largest direct market comic book and graphic novel publisher in the industry by market share. Its best-known publications include ''Spawn (comics) ...
picked up ''Head Lopper'' as a "quarterly adventure comic". The series eschewed the industry standard 22-page monthly issues in favor of a larger issues published quarterly.
In April 2016 MacLean announced on various social media channels that Image Comics had picked up ''Head Lopper'' for another miniseries in 2017.
Crossover
In October 2019, Norgal and Agatha appeared in two short stories in
''Rumble '' Vol. 2 #17. The first, "Belly of Hell", was drawn by Andrew MacLean and the second, "Deceitful Above All Things", was drawn by
James Harren. Both stories were written by
John Arcudi
John Arcudi is an American comic book writer, best known for his work on '' The Mask'' and '' B.P.R.D.'' and his series '' Major Bummer''.
Early life
Arcudi grew up in Buffalo, New York. He attended Columbia University as an English major and ...
. The events of these stories are in continuity and referenced in ''Head Lopper'' #16. These stories were collected in ''Rumble – Volume 6: Last Knight'' and ''Head Lopper & the Quest for Mulgrid's Stair''.
Collections
Premise
The series follows the adventures of the legendary swordsman Norgal, dubbed the Head Lopper, and his companion, the severed head of Agatha Blue Witch, as they trek across the realm to fulfill their quests, uncovering mysteries whilst encountering friends and foes along the way.
Reception
The Kickstarter for the self-published ''Head Lopper 2: The Wolves of Barra'' was funded with only 544 backers, but strong word of mouth and reviews led to the series being picked up by Image Comics. The Image Comics incarnation of ''Head Lopper'' has had strong reviews since its debut, with MacLean's artwork and sense of humor and Bellaire's coloring receiving consistently high praise.
References
External links
*
Andrew MacLean's official website
{{Authority control
2013 comics debuts
Image Comics titles
Fantasy comics