Ragnarök Now
Meet the Mischief Makers
We are a bunch of wild storytellers, artists, and history fanatics who share a vision: to resurrect the past and toss you into a webcomic experience like no other. Our backgrounds are diverse, but together, we’re whipping up a world where Viking axes clash with Samurai steel.
Buğra Batuhan BerahStraight outta Istanbul. This guy? He’s a wizard, man. But not with a wand — nah, he wields his tablet and stylus like a sorcerer slinging spells. Buğra’s illustrations? They pack a punch, got weight and heft to them. They’re graceful, sure, but they’re also downright devastating in their beauty.
Dave FowlerDave is a comic maestro with a universe-spanning portfolio. From Star Wars to Stranger Things, his art knows no bounds. Creator of Reclaimer and crafting Mushikera with Alex Robnett. Juggling projects like a circus clown on caffeine. Cover game on point, leaving his mark on gems like Virginia Creeper and Memoirs of the Reanimator. Remember the name. Dave Fowler: a legend in the making.
Dejan MandićDejan graduated in ’02 with a degree in applied graphics from the University of Applied Arts in Belgrade. Fast forward to 2011, he hitched a ride with the ULUPUDS crew, rolling with the painting and graphic section. A real creative dynamo, he’s been slinging illustrations, comics, and character designs, and even cooked up some mean book designs. Dejan, he’s a true one-of-a-kind artist.
J.M. RinguetJ.M. is a real wildcard in the art world. This guy, he’s a self-made maestro, a globetrotter who’s seen it all, living in more countries than you’ve had hot meals. His one true love is sequential storytelling. He’s been cooking up not one, but two TV series projects. His original work? You can find it strutting its stuff in the big leagues: Image Comics, IDW, Comixology – you name it. J.M.’s been throwing down on graphic novel gigs, serving up his art to publishers, private clients, and even some big shots like Kairos Society, Cadence, and even Pepsi freakin’ Cola.
Josh HeathJosh Heath is the COO of High Level Games, and a partner in Reach-Out Roleplaying Games and Inclusive Gaming Network. Josh is an army veteran, and has a Masters in International Peach and Conflict Resolution and ran The Open Halls Project, a heathen religious non-profit.
Mark is a virtuoso of comic book color. His brush has danced across the pages of Comixology Originals, Dark Horse Comics, AfterShock Comics, ABLAZE Publishing, and Dynamite Entertainment. He's got the Midas touch, but forget gold—everything he touches bursts into stunning technicolor. His palette transforms ordinary panels into vibrant masterpieces, bringing stories to life with every stroke. In the world of comics, Dale’s colors are the magic that turns ink and paper into unforgettable visual feasts.
Mark LarranagaMark Larranaga, the man who wears many cinematic hats – the sought-after Lead Nuke Compositor, the Visual Effects Supervisor extraordinaire, and the mastermind behind the camera. From the cosmic spectacle of Star Wars: The Force Awakens to the superhero mayhem of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Mark’s hands have touched the movies that’s left audiences spellbound. The man’s a visual mad genius. And let’s not forget his love ofmusic, crafting mind-bending visuals for the likes of Charlie Puth, Janet Jackson, Erykah Badu, and even the Fresh Prince himself, Will Smith.
Paul Di Filippo? This guy’s a regular in all the big print mags: Asimov’s Science Fiction, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, you name it. Oh, and he’s online too, at Science Fiction Weekly. He’s part of the Turkey City Writer’s Workshop. He’s been up for every award in the book: Hugo, Nebula, BSFA, you name it. But wait, there’s more! Paul’s got hundreds of short stories, all collected in these fancy books like The Steampunk Trilogy and Ribofunk. And his novels? They’re mind-bending, man! We’re talking Ciphers, Fuzzy Dice, you name it.
Rob, the maverick comic book craftsman from the UK, is a freelance dynamo. He’s snagged nominations and won awards for his lettering, splashing his talent across giants like Image Comics, Humanoids, and Heavy Metal. From Scout Comics to Behemoth, his mark is everywhere. But Jones isn’t just about letters; he’s a wordsmith, co-writing gripping tales with Mike Sambrook for Madius Comics. Together, they spin stories that pack a punch, shaking up the comic book scene like gods.
Who Am I?
I’m Joseph Aleo, a San Diegan with roots from Boston, born right smack in Mexico City.
I’ve always been on this creative trip: zines, pirate radio, podcasts, you name it. But here’s the kicker: since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, I’ve had this burning desire to make comic books. I’m talking full-on career trajectory mapped out in my noggin right down to the twilight years.
Back in the day, I was strutting around like I owned the joint. Thought I was the cat’s pajamas, big fish in a small pond. Ain’t nobody I crossed paths with could match my wild imagination or wield a pencil like yours truly.
Then, one fateful day, in my teenage years, I stumbled upon this other kid. This kid, let me tell you, he was a prodigy, drawing circles around me like it was child’s play. And you know what? It knocked the wind right out of my sails. First time I ever met someone whose talent outshone mine.
Instead of taking that as a sign to step up my game, I let my dream wither on the vine. And you know who that kid turned out to be? That was four-time Eisner Award winning Gene Ha. He went on to carve out a career in the comic book biz, living the dream I let slip through my fingers.
What’s the Story Behind the Story?
A couple of years back, I’m shooting the breeze with this buddy I hooked up with during my pirate radio days. I said we should make a comic book to generate IP to sell to the big dogs like Netflix, Amazon, or Apple TV. I lay it out for him — we take a few weeks, brainstorm like madmen, pitch our A-game ideas, and see where the chips fall.
But lo and behold, this dude’s already got an idea his back pocket: Vikings duking it out with samurai. And I’m like, “Hold the phone! That’s our golden ticket right there.”
Fast forward a bit, turns out this whole shebang was swiped from some video game called For Honor, where knights, samurai, and Vikings go toe-to-toe. Now, it stung, no doubt about it. But damn if it ain’t a killer concept. And that’s when it hits me — there’s more than enough room in this sandbox for us to tell our own tale.
Our creative partnership went up in flames quicker than a matchstick in a wildfire. But by then, I’m knee-deep in VIKINGS vs SAMURAI, and there’s no turning back. Tossed out all my characters, scrapped every storyline I had brewing, and got down to brass tacks, starting from square one.
What’s VIKNGS vs SAMURAI About?
Here’s the thing: I grew up glued to the tube, watching samurai flicks on Creature Double Feature on Channel 56. I’ve been steeped in Norse mythology for as long as I can remember. It’s part of my DNA.
But when the dust settled on my creative bromance with my buddy, I had to start from square one. And you know where I found my way in? Rødrick, the blind shaman. And once I latched onto that, there was no looking back.
Now, when it comes to genres, everything is grist for my mill: Spaghetti Westerns, swashbuckling adventures, Cthulhu mythos — you name it, I’m throwing it all in the pot. Mix in some Joseph Campbell, a dash of Jungian psychology, heck, even toss in the kitchen sink for good measure. And what do you get? VIKINGS vs SAMURAI, baby. It’s a tale of raw savagery and unyielding honor.
These are two fierce warrior cultures, each with their codes of honor. For all the romanticizing about these dudes, they were not anyone you’d want to fuck around with. So I’m smashing them together like two G.I. Joe action figures, letting the sparks fly.
What’s the Plan for VIKINGS vs SAMURAI?
I won’t lie; I’d love it if one of the streaming networks pulled up with a truckload of fuck you money, ready to turn VIKINGS vs. SAMURAI into the next big thing — live-action flick, animated series, hell, I’d take either. But let’s cut to the chase. I’ve done my homework, and the odds of me striking gold are about as likely as getting zapped by a bolt of lightning on a clear day. If I’m lucky, I’ll break even. More likely, I’ll be hemorrhaging cash.
But here’s the kicker, and this is where it gets real. This isn’t just about making a quick buck anymore. This is my magnum opus, my pièce de résistance. And now that I’m no longer chasing the paper, I’m free to tell these weird, dark tales that are bubbling up inside me.
So, what’s the game plan, you ask? Well, for now, I’m telling vignettes, teaching myself the ins and outs of this comic book game — writing scripts, working with illustrators, hustling to get my epics out there into the world. And all the while, I’m toiling away at the major arc that will ultimately be released as a miniseries followed by a graphic novel that’ll curl your toes.
How Often is VIKINGS vs SAMURAI Published?
Right now, I’m pumping out one issue of VIKINGS vs. SAMURAI every durn month. Started off small, just dropping one- or two-pagers, but I’ve been grinding, and now I’m slinging six-page epics like it’s nobody’s business.
I’m not stopping there. Oh no, not by a long shot. I’ll be unleashing 24-page monsters that’ll have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. But we ain’t there yet. I’m still in the trenches, laying down the groundwork for what’s to come.
Here’s the deal. You wanna stay in the loop, you wanna be in on the action from the get-go? Sign up for our monthly newsletter, ‘cause trust me, you don’t want to miss a single blood-soaked issue.
Guest Writers on VIKINGS vs SAMURAI
I have strong opinions and talk a lot of shit. But here’s the kicker — when I push my ego aside and let the creativity flow, magic happens. It’s like tapping into some kind of cosmic energy that just resonates with people. They’re digging it. They want to be part of the ride, part of the experience.
Now, let me tell you about my man Mark Larranaga who's done visual effects some underground movies you might have heard of like Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Avengers: Age of Ultron. He came up with this killer pitch, and I’m like, “Hell yeah, we’re running with this.” That story? “That Which They Fear Most,” is the latest issue of VIKINGS vs SAMURAI. It’s illustrated by Buğra Batuhan Berah and trust me, it’s a doozy.
My buddy and Viking spiritual advisor, Josh Heath, he’s got a tale called “The Waves” that’ll hit you right in the feels. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’ve got more stories cooking up in the oven, just waiting to blow your minds.
Now, here’s the cherry on top. I’m talking Paul Di Filippo. Been a fan of his work for ages, so I figure, why not shoot my shot? I pitch him this cyberpunk project I’ve been chewing on, and in the midst of our chat, I drop the bomb — “Hey, how ‘bout writing a story for VIKINGS vs SAMURAI?” And you know what? The man says yes. So, get ready, because in a few months, you’ll be sinking your teeth into his gnarly tale.
VIKINGS vs SAMURAI on Social Media
I’m throwing up posts on the ‘Gram, keeping my finger on the pulse of the digital world. Honestly, Mastodon would be my social hub, not platforms owned by creepy billionaires, you feel me? But hey, I gotta go where my people are, and these days, that’s Threads and Instagram. You can also catch us kicking it on Bluesky, Discord, Facebook, Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, and X-Twitter too.
Now, let’s talk merch. I’m talking tee shirts, stickers, enamel pins — the whole enchilada. But here’s the catch, I got to build up my army before I start marching down that road. So, if you're reading this, check out VIKINGS vs SAMURAI. Who knows, you might just find yourself joining the ranks and help me turn this crazy dream of mine into reality. And hey, wouldn’t it be something if one day we’re all kicking back, watching VIKINGS vs SAMURAI streaming on our TVs or lighting up the big screen? Now that’s a future worth fighting for.