If you missed the last one…
We are back for more Vikings rampaging through the comics with lost colonies filled with strange enemies. (None of the frozen variety of Vikings here. For that, go the freezer section of your favorite grocery store, or here.) Wherever they show up, the tall warriors are a challenge for superhero or jungle lord alike. The historians may complain but for those of us raised on Cavemen & Dinosaurs, this is all good.
“Tarzan” (1935) the classic comic strip by Hal Foster featured Vikings before they appeared in his later strip, Prince Valiant. The strip was written by George A. Carlin. This strip featured Vikings as early as 1933.
“Camilla, Queen of the Lost Empire” (Jungle Comics #18, June 1941) Camilla began as a character in the very first issue of Jungle Comics, January 1940, but didn’t really stand out until she became the queen of a lost city. The comic’s writer is listed as “Victor Ibsen” but that is a house name.
“Tom Morgan” (Headline Comics #6, Winter 1943) was written by an unknown author. Like many series characters, Tom encounters Vikings in our day. Hey, if it worked for Doc Savage and Superman…
“Unsolved Mysteries” (Sparkling Stars #8, January 1945) was written by an unknown author. The latest science says no to Minnesota Vikings but the football says yes.
“Leif the Lucky Viking Adventurer” (Real Life Comics #52, April 1950) was written by an unknown author. This comic was my entire reason for this post today. Frank Frazetta, do I need to say more?
“Tarzan and the Tall Warriors” (Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan’s Jungle Annual #5, August 1956) was written by Gaylord DuBois. This is the first of three Tarzan adventures to feature Vikings. After an initial fight, the warriors become allies. They are impressed with Tarzan’s prowess. This one surprised me because the artist is Russ Manning, not Jesse Marsh. Russ may have been copying Jesse’s style at first to transition the readers?
“Tarzan and the Thunder of Hoofs” (Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan #91, April 1957) was written by Gaylord DuBois. Here’s another one by Jesse Marsh.
“The Vikings” (Four Color #910 The Vikings, June 1958) was adapted by Leo Dorfman mostly from Edison Marshal’s novel with some small nods to the movie that it was supposed to be a tie-in for. The biggest movie quirk is the hero’s name is changed from Ogier to Eric. This comic is a look into the future for Sword & Sorcery fans, when John would become the artist most associated with Conan the Barbarian and Savage Sword of Conan in the 1970s. Even in 1958, he doesn’t disappoint.
“Attack of the Sea Raiders” (Robin Hood Tales #7, January-February 1957) was written by Bob Haney. Robin Hood was a public domain character so below you will find a different comic company doing the same thing…
“The Viking Outcasts” (Robin Hood and His Merry Men #34, November 1957) was written by Joe Gill. For more on Robin Hood comics, go here.
“Dragon Ship” (Dell Giant #37 Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan, King of the Jungle, November 1960) was written by Gaylord DuBois.
Conclusion
This time we saw several jungle comics using Vikings. This seems to me the least likely scenario among these often fantastical tales. The Vikings were great explorers but I don’t believe they did much of that exploring in Africa. They did go as far south as Constantinople, modern day Istanbul. But if we can assume Vikings being frozen left-right-and-center along with all those mammoths, why not African exploring Viks? I have to admit I like seeing Tarzan challenged by such fierce fighters.
