When comics publisher IDW isn’t busy creating your favorite nostalgia-driven comic books like G.I. Joe, Ghostbusters, or Transformers, they’re busy taking chances on some pretty interesting original content. Its probably a safe bet for IDW to mostly rely on the instant name recognition of something like DuckTales or Back to the Future, but it is certainly refreshing to see new ideas on comic shelves, even if they don’t always resonate with me personally. So it is with two of IDW’s newest offerings: The Spider King and The Highest House. 

• The Spider King #1
• Written by Josh Vann
• Art by Simone D’Armini
• Published by IDW

In 956 AD warring factions of Vikings rule the land. That is, until hyper-advanced and brutally destructive aliens appear out of the sky and obliterate any living thing in front of them. Things don’t look promising for the Vikings since King Hrolf, the leader of one of the warrior Viking clans, is seemingly not very adept at leading his men into battle. Some serious beef between the constantly blood-spilling humans is probably going to have to be put on hold to deal with some seriously gruesome jellyfish and arachnid-mixed extra terrestrials. The Spider King was originally self-published in 2016, but it is now being released as a 4-part series.

This book didn’t immediately grab me and would seem like its Medieval setting and graphic violence are trying to capitalize on Game of Thrones fans’ exuberance, were it not for the addition of aliens. For me, the intrigue certainly lies in young Hrolf who is thrust into an unwanted role after the death of his father and how he plans on continuing to fight humans or aliens after his clan continues to be decimated in battle. Another appealing aspect for me is the artistry of Simone D’Armini who brings a cartoonish look to a very gritty existence. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t specifically call out the amazing work of unsung hero, colorist Adrian Bloch. The palettes used to distinguish different scenes combined with bright color flourishes compel and draw the reader’s eye in an otherwise uninspired book.

Sure there’s action. Sure there’s aliens. But honestly, too much seems forced. Stilted dialogue and exclamations of “Thor’s thunderous a***hole” really took me out of the story. As the author describes in his notes at the back of the book, mixing two unique flavors together can bring something exciting and unexpected. However, a story like The Spider King may be better suited on SyFy, where unexpected combinations such as sharks and tornadoes seem to do surprisingly well.

• The Highest House #1
• Written by Mike Carey
• Art by Peter Gross
• Published by IDW

The young boy named Moth may be a slave, but somehow I don’t think that will be his permanent lot in life. That certainly can’t be the case in this magic-filled Medieval world of gods and sorcery. The creators of The Unwritten have a proven track record, and The Highest House is another compelling addition to IDW’s catalog.

Sold by his mother so she can care for her other children, Moth is purchased by a mysterious man with great wealth, status, and power. Even though he is now a slave, it’s clear that he has hidden talents that have piqued the interest of his new master. Life has not been easy for young Moth, nor does it seem to get easier in the near future, but seeing how this innocent young boy can prevail his harsh realities has me firmly on board.

I’ll admit, Medieval period pieces are not my forte. However, with The Highest House, it’s clear Carey and Gross are in it for the long game. It may be only 32 pages, but the character-driven story is richly developed while leaving room for suspense. Although there are flashes of magic and action in an otherwise leisurely paced introduction story, it doesn’t feel slow, just immersive. I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of this story, wherever it goes.