NorsePlay.

Looking at the Norse Mythology themed art of Milivoj Ćeran , it takes one back to the core classic fantasy artists: the Brothers Hildebrandt, Frazetta , Vallejo, Lee , Elmore , and Howe. Ćeran's technique is flawless, the depictions are stylistically on point, and beyond this there's a reflexive integration of high fantasy's modern visual tradition which acknowledges those tropes' roots in the Norse Lore, which mirrors what one discovers when looking at the fantasy literature it comes from. You gamers might recognize Ćeran's brush as he's also done work for Wizards of the Coast, Fasa, Monte Cooke, Privateer Press, Fantasy Flight, and others. Hopefully the "Art Book 1" in the above title means there's more of his Norse-themed work on the way. [check out his other gallery selections and shop the above book and prints here !] #     #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'A...

There's been some speculation as to whether the Northern Lights have associations with the Valkyries riding out, or Gerðr's shimmering arms , or Odin's Wild Hunt crossing the skies. In this vein I draw attention to Sam Flegal's work, Sleipnir's Ride : NorsePlay 's featured the modern Heathen art of Sam Flegal before , and he remains one of my favourites in his technical mastery and visually expansive narrative approach to the Norse Lore. Flegal's Sleipnir notably has paired legs (as opposed to other depictions with 4 in-line at front & back , or evenly spaced along the sides , or curiously  6 in front with 2 in back ), and one might NorsePlay the leg-paired iron shoes may frictively & electromagnetically spark the Borealic path he leaves in his wake as he streaks across the night skies. As far as the Auroras go, all of the above as cosmological causes could be true. The effect has always struck people of all times as a beautiful manifestation of t...

In December of 1991 CE, the isometric computer role playing game Dusk Of The Gods hits PCs on six 5.25" or three 3.5" disks, giving players what was probably their second taste of immersive Norse Mythology via the then-height of VGA graphics (the first being Heimdall on the Amiga in June of that same year, and much like Heimdall and other early videogames, the Larry Elmore cover art's the best looking thing about it [see any Atari 2600 game box art!], but that's a technological ceiling of the time).   [the CG'd majesty of Bifrost.] After first hearing a mention of this game on the Nordic Mythology Podcast from University of Iceland's PhD candidate Luca Panaro who specifically writes about the reception of Norse Lore in videogames, I had to look it up just to see the cyber-heritage of this PC chestnut. [Valholl with golden Hlidsklalf at the head of the table!] Found these screenshots from a pretty comprehensive 3-part review by CRPGAddict. Apparently the ga...

Iðunn's terror at being hoisted off by eagle-form jötunn Þjazi in P. Craig Russell's Norse Mythology graphic novel from Dark Horse Comics. While the focus here should be on the crucial loss of the Gods' irreplaceable harvester of youth-sustaining apples , I can't help but look backwards at the golden halls of Ásgarðr she's being hijacked from. Russell's nouveau fantasist stylings have given Elric and Dr Strange otherworldly cityscapes over the past decades and I'm glad to see him turn his hand to NorsePlay the home of the Gods as an important location in the lore. Note this specific drawing for V2 #5 recently sold on eBay for $2K+ as PCR's original graphite page that was only digitally colored by another artist, but he put his own mixed media colors on his original to make the only physical copy that differs from the cover everyone else got on their comic or in their graphics. Also note that PCR's auctioning off other pieces like this, so if you...

While we've explored Conan here & there for NorsePlay, one cannot speak of the Cimmerian of the North without referencing the artist most responsible for visually depicting him: Frank Frazetta. Given Frazetta's standing as a giant of fantasy art , and as the fantasy genre draws upon the bottomless wellsprings of Norse Lore & the Icelandic Sagas for its material , we would present Frazetta's Kane On the Golden Sea as his most outstanding manifestation of NorsePlay : [First published as a book cover on  Darkness Weaves in 1978 CE.] Vikings on a longship looking for targets to raid, Kane boldly shirtless, Berserker -style. Of course some of this composition, like the Wagner ian horned helmet s, and D&D double-bladed battle- axe , plus the fur barbarian breechclout are visual tropes from later Germanic Romanticism, derivative medieval art, and other sources, but the spirit of this & his other famous works are Norse inspired. [this official print & o...

  The Hordes of Death are Summoned Forth (2015 CE) by Christian Sloan Hall, who does much illustration work in the realm of metal music, particularly commissions for renowned Viking Metal band Amon Amarth ! Survive the Jive uses this image in a YT video as a visual reference to Norse Death Goddess  Hel , and there seems to be some influence from Kirby 's green-dominant deathly yet sexy Hela from The Mighty Thor . [go buy prints or hire this artist at https://www.deathlord.co.uk/] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative my...

  This early 1980s CE liquor ad campaign probably captured the attention of many, it being so remarkably over-the-top for its time. We present you the two magazine versions in order to see the inspired mixture of Frazetta/Vallejo-styled art, an amazingly predictive Golden Compass polar bear mount , Odinic eyepatch, and luminous magic sword (possibly lightsaber?!?). As with many fantastically depicted women warrior s, we have to ask if she's so battle-hyped up on body warming liquor that any midriff, leg, and arm armor's not required, or if she's just so valkyrie that she's divinely immune to the effects of low temperatures. Beyond these concerns, there's an aesthetic reaching for Northernness that is very, very NorsePlay, and if  placed ahead of us in time (again, possible lightsaber?), she could be a post-Ragnarök second generation goddess questing through the remnants of a Fimbulwinter-zone for a dwarven superweapon . #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV k...

While not the first nor the second pinball-related NorsePlay brought to our attention, this sweet 1974 Bally produced Ro Go  machine designed by Greg Kmiec with artwork by Dave Christensen is a wonderful bit of viking kitsch. [Norseplay hails their friend Bill Dennis for sending this in for us!] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Female Berserker Tyri by Bob Kehl. Note the bound muzzle and tied around forelegs which mirror the bound bear motif on Viking hogback grave markers and one of the Torslunda helmet plates. Perhaps this garment design's simple leather strap answer to wrapping the pelt on the wearer may have something to do with the original motif, along with the ancient bear cult identifying with and physically harnessing the power of the bear. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the Map of Midgard project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer, do ...

Ride Of The Valkyries painted by Jose Luis Munoz Luque. The casual realist fantasy of this is a nice contrast to the frenzied skyward ride we nearly always see the battlemaidens depicted in. And there's some album cover  that never was with Michael Parkes aesthetics and detailing that also frames this piece. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Ursine Champion , a fantasy female Berserker as depicted by Alex Konstad for Magic: The Gathering . We love her bear skull pauldron. The flavor text for the card: " Would you rather feel the edge of my blade or the sharpness of my fangs? " #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Fantasy & RPG artist Keith Thompson's version creatively differs in having six legs up front with two driving the back . Note the rune accents on the toecapping horseshoes. [prints available at https://www.keiththompsonart.com/pages/sleipnir.html .] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

"The Battle of Ragnarök" from the  Fall of Gods illustrated novel by Rasmus Berggreen & Michael Vogt (writer for the Hitman game). This successfully funded Kickstarter out of Copenhagen, Denmark, is based on an expansion of the Norse God Vali's story. Now underway at 20th Century Fox as a movie adaptation, with Wes Ball directing ( Maze Runner trilogy) and Stuart Beattie to write the script. [Book available at FallOfGods.com.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product develop...

Right after Lee Majors finished The Six Million Dollar Man in 1978, he starred as Thorvald in The Norseman . There's a scene toward the end where Majors runs in slow-motion down the beach, which makes the viewer totally hear the bionic sound cue. While the movie was quite rubbish, this poster's some pretty nifty fantasy art, and one could possibly see some rootwork for Valhalla Rising . #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Accomplished fantasy illustrator Alan Lee 's Branstock in the Hall of the Volsungs from his 1984 CE book Castles . #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

We imagine it must get sort of out of hand ... in a good way. [art by Blair George from Age of Conan .] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

A proud & becoming Valkyrie stands over the slain. A spear rises into her waiting hand, possibly a retrieval of Gungnir from its selected side of the conflict. The details of the feeding scrawny wolf in the background, the severed hand on the broken sword in the foreground, and the match on tone visual capillary overlap of the blood on the hill into the battle maiden's red winged sleeve make this. [Album cover fantasy art for Faroese Viking Metal band Týr by Hjules Illustration And Design's Gyula Havancsák. ] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in...

Fantasy artist Ron Walotsky's book cover for Tim Sullivan's The Martian Viking (1991 CE). Longships > Rocketships! [No, haven't read it, just ran across it at a used bookshop. Have you?] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Illustration of Freyja by Seb McKinnon. A particularly svelte & youthful depiction, she rides her battle swine Hildisvíni in her falcon feathered cloak , making her selections from the fallen dead for inclusion to her afterlife field Fólkvangr and seats in her hall Sessrúmnir. Note the understated detail of her necklace Brísingamen . #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .