I enjoy Viking history, and go out of my way to find Viking related fiction. No, really.

Anyway, I recently had the pleasure of coming across the 1958 Dell Comics movie adaptation of The Vikings (starring Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis). I snagged it up at ebay, and was pleased to notice early Buscema art. In addition, the story was noticeably different than the movie. That was cool too. Finally, it was fun to learn that comic book movie adaptations are not just from the last 20 years. All that said, I was wondering if anyone has read this and if so, what did they think? Also, does anyone have any other insights into Dell Comics and other movie adaptations from the same time period?

Ride of the Valkyries?

No one likes my post . . . .

There were some adaptations of some Harryhausen movies back then, not sure if they were Dell or who. I don't have any pictures to provide, so I had nothing to contribute to this fabulous thread.

I liked it, but Tony Curtis makes me so angry, the very thought of him makes me want to type streams of profanity. I did not want to taint your thread with that.

I like it too, and am really glad Eric didn't start with that whole 'streams of profanity' thing again. You'd think Tony Curtis ran over his dog or something. Sheez!

Eric-

Could we at least have a poem about Vikings?

I don't see why not. Here goes:

Nevermorrow Spire: A Viking Tale

Viking, viking,
Horns on your hat.
I think it looks stupid,
Naw! Just being a brat.

Your boat is all woody,
And your sails are all pink,
And your wife is so ugly,
Her privates do stink.

Yes Viking, Viking,
I think I'm the best.
You try to invade me,
I'll put on my crest.

I'll strap on my sword,
And I'll get my shield,
Captain America,
blah blah blah blah yield.

OH NO I have spoken,
Yes spoken too soon,
The Vikings are coming,
And I haven't the room,

To host a whole army,
Or maybe some dudes,
Who have some sharp weapons,
And suck down Quaaludes.

The Vikings are here!
They are all on my beach!
They're cutting my women!
Can you hear them screech?

They're wielding their axes,
And wielding their swords,
And chopping up piglets,
Servants and whores.

I taunted the Vikings,
Made fun of their sails,
And now we're all crying,
The babies do wail!

I barricade my doors,
And drink me some beer,
'Cause I need my liquor,
To wash away fear.

They're pounding now closer,
They're coming inside!
Oh crap, I should run now,
Run and go hide!

But I'm a brave brat, yeah,
Or maybe just drunk,
And I swing my sword hard,
And cut off a chunk,

Of their leaders' fat arm,
I chopped it right off.
Hey I think I can do this!
My fighting's real rough!

So I call them pinkies,
Make fun of their sails,
Make fun of their hats,
Make fun of all males.

But my mouth is too big,
Too big for my britches,
And they cut me down,
They're laughing like bitches!

They chopped off my arm!
They chopped off my leg!
They stabbed my poor buttocks,
And stuffed there an egg.

You've heard my poor story,
And all of it's true.
Don't make fun of Vikings,
Or they'll chop up you.

THE END

Done in under an hour. Impressive. Most impressive.

If you hadn't, I was gonna.

Much is forgiven in Tony's case. He did, after all, contribute half the DNA of Jamie Lee.

Slightly unrelated, but have you read Bernard Cornwell's recent historical fiction books (The Last Kingdom and The Pale Horesmen)? It's at least a trilogy and the third comes out in February.

Dude, you said "taint".

Read them and enjoyed them. I am looking forward to the third part.

Has anyone seen....The Norsemen? It stars Lee Majors and a bunch of other dubious looking guys as Vikings discovering America before Colombus. It's enjoyable for its historical innacuracies and its dialogue, which is top-shelf bad writing.

It should be in alliterative verse. You've got another hour.

I saw that one. It is everything you described. The remake of Pathfinder looks as bad, on a grander scale and with a bigger budget. Hollywood rarely get Vikings correct.

For fun, does anyone recall Charlton Heston in the Warlord? While Frisians, not Vikings, appear, you couldn't tell by how they were portrayed. The ending siege of the tower is great fun. And Chuck Heston's acting is at its campy best.

After yesterday, I'm all poetried out.

More poetry Eric. Please. It is always fun.

Glad I'm not the only one.