Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - Yesterday afternoon comic book news mega-site Newsarama debuted the very first teaser from the upcoming Image Comics crime book for the 9th century written by SECRET INVASION: HOME INVASION and THE CROSS BRONX's Ivan Brandon and illustrated by Marvel Comics rising star painter Nic Klein, VIKING!

"VIKING is everything I love about crime fiction filtered through one of the most violent and fascinating periods of human history," writer Ivan Brandon said. "It's been in the works for so long at this point that I'm overwhelmed to finally get to show it to people. The overwhelmingly positive response to the teaser alone has Nic and I humbled."

While the larger details behind VIKING are still closely guarded, Brandon and series artist Nic Klein promise one of the most brutal crime tales to hit stands, as the best of the genre mashes up with an incredibly dark century for humanity. An interview expanding on the series will shortly follow on Newsarama.

"VIKING is one of the coolest series we're debuting this year," said Image Publisher ericstephenson. "I've always admired Ivan's commitment to taking chances and doing comics that stand apart from everything else on the racks, and the more we've talked about what he has planned for VIKING, the more excited I've become. From the story concept to the execution of the artwork to the format – Ivan's really going for it with this one!"

VIKING #1, a 24-page full comic book for $2.99, will be in-stores April 1st, 2009.