Fans of Norse Mythology and comic books will find the perfect combination with Insight Editions’ Vei Volume 1 and 2. Featuring twists on popular characters such as Odin, Thor, Freyja, and Loki while following the denizens of Jotunheim.
The plot of the book centers around a fierce female warrior named Vei who has giant’s blood in her veins and hails from Jotunheim. There are also supporting characters such as a Nord and an interesting androgynous version of Loki who winds up being very important to the story.
We recently shared an exclusive interview with writer and creator Sara B. Elfgren, and now we have been given to the opportunity to chat with Karl Johnnson, the writer and co-creator of Vei. Johnnson shared plenty of interesting facts and information that fans of the graphic novels are going to love.
Joe: Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us. Your art is so gorgeous it feels like a crime to pull you away from it for anything else! Let’s start by asking what is it that made you hop on board with Vei?
Karl Johnnson: Thank you so much! For many years I had an idea that I wanted to make a story set in Jotunheim. Vei was a story I arrived at through a conversation with Sara, before she was involved as a writer of the project.
Joe: Is Norse Mythology something that has always interested you or is it something that you had to familiarize yourself with once you began to work on Vei?
Karl Johnnson: As a Swede, I grew up with it. I learned about it in school, and there were books about it in my home. I loved, and still love, myths from all over the world, but there is something special about stories that are connected to the place where you live. When my family went to the Stockholm archipelago in the summers, I imagined Viking ships sailing between the islands. I associated the Æsir with a certain atmosphere that was warm and exhilirating. They are a fun bunch. They are more hands-on in their in adventures than say the Greek gods. I deepened my knowledge about Norse mythology when we worked on Vei. Sara and I explored it together, it was a fantastic journey.
Joe: Given the nature of the book there are many races and species showcased in both volumes which allows you to really express yourself. Does this make it easier to lend your own unique artistic signature to the story?
Karl Johnnson: I had the character design for the Jotun ready since many years. I wanted them to look like forgotten gods, powerful, animalistic and beautiful, like something out of ancient Babylon. Many of the creatures had to be invented (or re-invented) for the story, and Sara and I hade a great time creating them together. The troll for example was inspired by a tapir, and the forest álfr were inspired by axolotl. I love to draw monsters and Vei is a creature feature.
Joe: Which of the characters was your favorite to bring to life in the pages of Vei volume 1 and 2?
Karl Johnnson: Loki, without a doubt. I love drawing characters with expressive body language and a flair for the dramatic. Veidar is the runner-up. He’s so spectacular and handsome. But I did grow to hate drawing his skull necklace. That design was one of my most short-sighted decisions I’ve made as a comic book artist. All those skulls every time he’s in a panel! But now it’s done and it looks great! Of course, I loved to draw Vei and Dal, they became like old friends, and the more I drew them, the better the they looked. Sól is another favorite. She is also very expressive, and there’s something funny and moving about her being this 40 meter, thousand year old, teenager.
Joe: Can you see yourself working another Norse Mythology-related project in the future?
Karl Johnnson: I would love to. The more you do something, the more you learn about it. When I started out working on Vei, I didn’t look too hard on historical viking artifacts. I wanted the designs to have a pulpy fantasy vibe inspired by different cultures of the ancient world. But while working on the comic I learned so much about clothing, armour, weapons and the way to use them, about architecture and the very world the people of the Viking age inhabited. I still don’t feel that fantasy has to be ”historically accurate”. But I’d love to bring my acquired knowledge to a new project.
Joe: Are there any fun facts or trivia you can share with us about Vei?
Karl Johnnson: Sure! The beginning of volume 1, when Vei is floating in the ocean and is picked up by vikings, is inspired by the beginning of Robert E. Howard’s short story Pool of the black one. In this story, Conan is floating in the ocean, and is picked up by a pirate ship searching for a mythical island.
Some of the faces of the vikings in volume one are based on some of the biggest jerks I’ve ever met. I knew they would have a rough end in the comic. Yeah, I know it’s pretty twisted.
The French animated movie The Fantastic planet from 1973 was a huge inspiration for me. It’s a bout a planet where blue giant aliens keep humans as pets.
The costume that Freyja is wearing at the end of volume 2 is a tribute to the wizard’s costume in the comic Yaxin the Faun by Man Arenas.
Joe: Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about Vei or any of your upcoming projects?
Karl Johnnson: I just hope the readers have a great experience with Vei. It’s a passion project, and it’s kind of a miracle that we managed to fulfill our vision. There’s no comic industry to speak of in Sweden, that’s why there are so few comics projects of this size coming out of our country. Right now I’m working on a sci-fi project for children that is called Heirs to Empire. We don’t have an English language publisher yet, but I hope it will reach your shores eventually. Keep your eyes peeled! I just want to say thank you to all our readers. You truly are the most wonderful people.
What do you think of these comments from co-creator and artist Karl Johnnson? If you haven’t had a chance to read Vei yet, take a look at the summary below!
She trained her whole life to become the strongest warrior of Jotunheim, to become the beloved champion of her gods. But when the time came to finally prove her strength, Vei was cast into the sea by the very god she fought for.
Rescued by a Viking ship, Vei returns to Jotunheim, home of the legendary giants. There she finds herself caught in the Meistarileikir, a bloody game between the humans, the giants, and the gods of Asgard that will determine who will have the right to rule the land of Midgard. Having lost the confidence of her own god, Vei must take her place in the Meistarileikir and fight not only for the control of Midgard, but for her very life, in this epic battle against daring warriors, fearsome monsters, and even the gods themselves.
A bestseller in Sweden, Vei Vol. 1 weaves together an incredible tale that pits man against God and God against God in an outstanding Hunger Games meets Norse mythology graphic novel.
Vei Vol. 1 is currently available to purchase at a retailer near you, or if you prefer to pick it up online you can do so here for a ticket price of $24.99.
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