Thrud the Barbarian

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caption=Thrud in a Frank Frazetta-inspired pose in Critchlow's painted style on the cover of issue 1 of the "Thrud the Barbarian" full-length comic
character_name=Thrud the Barbarian
publisher=Games Workshop (1983–1988), Carl Critchlow (2002–present)
debut="Arkensword", 1981
creators=Carl Critchlow
alter_ego=
full_name=
species=Barbarian
homeworld=
alliances=None
aliases=
supports=
powers=Strength of a rhinoceros
Speed of a jungle cat
Intelligence of a garden snailCite web
url=http://www.carlcritchlow.com/Thrud1.html
title=Thrud the Barbarian
publisher=Carl Critchlow
accessdate=2007-04-15]

Thrud the Barbarian is a comics character created by Carl Critchlow in 1981. Although Thrud himself is widely viewed as being a parody of Conan the Barbarian,Cite web
url=http://www.strike-to-stun.com/Reviews/thrud.htm
title=Thrud Issue 1 review
author=Robert Clark
publisher=Strike to Stun
accessdate=2007-03-30] Cite web
url=http://www.bugpowder.com/trs2/004377.html
title=Thrud Issue 1 review
author=Jez Higgins
publisher=TRS2
date=2002-08-23
accessdate=2007-03-30] particularly as depicted in the Arnold Schwarzenegger films, inspiration for the character's adventures and adversaries has been drawn from several fantasy sources.Cite web
url=http://web.archive.org/web/20030917025640/http://www.bulletproofcomics.co.uk/INTERVIEWS/thrud_barbarian.htm
title=Thrud Issue 1 review
author=Steven Maxwell
publisher=Bulletproof Comics
date=2003-01-05
accessdate=2007-03-30 (Note, the archived copy of this web page contains an error and the text is in black on a black background)]

During the 1980s, a Thrud comic strip was a regular and popular feature in the roleplay and wargame magazine "White Dwarf",Cite web
url=http://www.thrudthebarbarian.com/history.html
title=Thrud the Barbarian: History
publisher=Carl Critchlow
accessdate=2007-04-15] with Thrud's grotesque and comic antics forming a memorable part of the magazine's Golden Age. In 2002, continued interest in the character from role-playing enthusiasts and a desire to be free to experiment with a new artistic styleCite web
url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/comics/independents/about.shtml#thrud
title=Independent comics
publisher=BBC Cult
accessdate=2007-03-30] prompted Critchlow to self-publish a series of award-winningCite web
url=http://www.eagleawards.co.uk/results.asp?year=2004
title=2004 Results
publisher=The Eagle Awards
accessdate=2007-04-16] full-length "Thrud the Barbarian" comics.

Since October 2002, Critchlow has continued to develop his new artistic style in several different "2000 AD" stories, contributing to the success of "Lobster Random" in particular. While Critchlow's use of muted palettes has been criticised, his style has received praise for being highly recognisableCite web
url=http://www.2000adreview.co.uk/reviews/2006/2000ad_1482_review.shtml
title=2000AD 1482 - 5 April 2006
publisher=2000AD Review
accessdate=2007-06-04] and unique.Cite web
url=http://www.2000adreview.co.uk/reviews/2003/1349review.shtml
title=2000AD 1349 - 16 July 2003
publisher=2000AD Review
accessdate=2007-06-04] Cite web
url=http://www.comicsbulletin.com/real/106214875580993.htm
title=The Real Mainstream: Thrud the Barbarian
author=Glenn Carter
publisher=Comics Bulletin
accessdate=2007-03-30]

Appearances

Initial publications

The character of Thrud was created by the then 18-year-old Critchlow in 1981 while he was still at college, and the initial five-page strip was published in comics fanzine "Arkensword". On moving on to art college in Liverpool, Thrud made a further appearance in the comic "Dead 'Ard", which Critchlow co-authored with artist Euan Smith.Harvnb|Critchlow|1987|loc=p. 48, Author's notes] "Dead 'Ard" also featured a strip titled "The Black Currant", subsequently re-published in the 26th and final issue of the "Warrior" comic anthology. [Cite web
url=http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=39459
title=Warrior #26 contents
publisher=Grand Comic-Book Database
accessdate=2007-04-15] [Cite web
url=http://www.enjolrasworld.com/Richard%20Arndt/Warrior.htm
title=Warrior Bibliography and Interview
author=Richard J. Arndt
publisher=enjolrasworld
accessdate=2007-04-15] The Black Currant would later appear as one of Thrud's many enemies.

White Dwarf

On seeing an advertisement in "White Dwarf" magazine asking for cartoonists, Crtichlow submitted some of his Thrud strips and was hired. "Thrud the Barbarian" became a monthly feature in "White Dwarf" between issue 45 in September 1983 [Cite web
url=http://www.gamehobby.net/white_dwarf_magazine/white_dwarf_045.html
title=White Dwarf 45 contents
publisher=GameHobby.net
month=September | year=1983
accessdate=2007-04-16] and issue 105 in September 1988. [Cite web
url=http://www.gamehobby.net/white_dwarf_magazine/white_dwarf_105.html
title=White Dwarf 105 contents
publisher=GameHobby.net
month=September | year=1988
accessdate=2007-04-16] During this time, the black-and-white single-page strip was voted "Most popular feature" for three consecutive years.

In 1987, a collection of Thrud strips was published in a "Thrud the Barbarian Graffik Novel" by Games Workshop, the publishers of "White Dwarf". [Harvnb|Critchlow|1987] In addition to strips that had been printed in "White Dwarf", this anthology included a re-drawn version of the original "Arkensword" strip and an origin story for Thrud.Harvnb|Critchlow|1987|pp=26–35]

Full-length comic

Once the Thrud strip had run its course in "White Dwarf", Critchlow worked on other comics including the Judge Dredd/Batman crossover story "The Ultimate Riddle", first published in 1995. [Cite web
url=http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=256121
title=Batman / Judge Dredd: The Ultimate Riddle
publisher=Grand Comic-Book Database
accessdate=2007-04-15] His work on this story was fully painted, and while considered impressiveCite web
url=http://www.2000adreview.co.uk/reviews/extra/2004/trades/batmandredd/batmandredd.shtml
title=The Batman/Judge Dredd Files
publisher=2000AD Review
accessdate=2007-04-15] was also criticised as being forced, confused and muddy.Cite web
url=http://www.2000adreview.co.uk/reviews/2002/1313review.shtml
title=2000AD Prog 1313
publisher=2000AD Review
date=2002-10-16
accessdate=2007-04-15] Critchlow was developing a new style based on line-drawings with computer colouring, but having been pigeon-holed as a painter did not believe that he would be able to interest anyone in this very different style.

When attending gaming conventions, Critchlow found that he was often remembered for his work on Thrud and recognised that there was still an interest in the character. He therefore decided to create and self-publish a full-length "Thrud the Barbarian" comic as a way to get his new style noticed. As of January 2007, five "Thrud the Barbarian" comics have been published by Critchlow.
#"Carborundum Capers" – June 2002
#"Ice 'n' a Slice" – January 2003
#"Lava Louts" – June 2004
#"Thrud Rex!" – June 2005
#"Bungle in the Jungle" – January 2007

Critchlow found that, by organising distribution through comic shops and a devoted Thrud website, he was able to break even financially. His new style was also noticed and received positive comments.

The cover images for each of the first four comics were hand-painted in contrast to the computer-coloured line art used in the comic itself. For issue 5, Critchlow also used his new style for the cover image. [Cite web
url=http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=32931&zenid=7804b0008f45d77d1d6bfb2777ce027c
title=Thrud the Barbarian Issue 5 Cover picture
publisher=Forbidden Planet
accessdate=2007-04-15]

Fictional character biography

An origin story for Thrud was printed in the "Thrud the Barbarian Graffik Novel". The story tells of a group of lost mercenaries who, lost and searching for a pub, stumble across an abandoned baby in a deserted village. The mercenaries decide to raise the baby as one of their own, teaching him how to fight and drink beer.

At the age of five, Thrud is sent to "Crom the Destroyer Orthodox Pagan Infants School", where he towers above the teachers and his fellow students. When one of the children shoots him with a pea shooter, Thrud's reaction is to kill and maim twenty-seven pupils and three teachers, leading to his expulsion from the school. Choosing to return to the wilderness rather than his adoptive parents, Thrud lives alone until, one day, he stumbles across a hidden burial chamber. Finding a small helmet and a large axe, Thrud arms himself. Finding gold and gems, he decides to return to civilisation with his newfound wealth, quickly establishing himself a reputation as a violent warrior.

Many years later, Thrud the Barbarian becomes Thrud the King, but finds the mundane duties of kingship tiresome without opportunities to fight. To put a halt to Thrud's constant mutterings of, "Kill! Death! Maim! Mutilate! Destroy!", the wise men of his kingdom collect stories of heroism from around the land and read them to him long into the night.

Characterisation

Endowed with the intelligence of a garden snail, Thrud is a one-dimensional character who engages in mindless slaughter and strikes Frank Frazetta-style poses while remaining ignorant of plot points.Cite web
url=http://www.strike-to-stun.com/Reviews/thrud2.htm
title=Thrud Issue 2 review
author=Robert Clark
publisher=Strike to Stun
accessdate=2007-03-30] Depicted as an eight-foot tall barbarian with a hugely exaggerated, muscular physique and a very small head,Cite web
url=http://ninthart.com/display.php?article=1229
title=The Forecast
author=Garth Ennis
publisher=The Ninth Art
date=2006-05-29
accessdate=2007-03-30] and dressed in large furry boots and a loincloth, Thrud is a caricature of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Conan the Barbarian.

Thrud is also a heavy drinker, frequenting the "The Hobbit's Armpit" tavern and regularly causing mayhem when he is unable to have his desired flavour of crisps. [Harvnb|Critchlow|1987|p=37] These and other annoyances often cause Thrud to invoke Robert E. Howard, the author of the Conan the Barbarian books, with the battle cry, "By the sacred jockstrap of Robert E. Howard you'll pay for this, Hellspawn!"Harvnb|Critchlow|1987|p=20] [Harvnb|Critchlow|2002]

upporting characters

The Black Currant

First appearing in "Dead 'Ard" and "Warrior" The Black Currant returned in a series of "White Dwarf" Thrud strips titled "Thrud the Destroyer". In this story, The Black Currant is the leader of a horde of warriors who attack a small village, looting the homes, burning the women, raping the livestock and eating the babies. [Harvnb|Critchlow|1987|p=38] The Black Currant returned again in issue 3 of Critchlow's self-published "Thrud the Barbarian" comic as the leader of a group of bandits laying siege to a small town. The Black Currant is depicted in heavy black armour, wearing a helmet having a pair of exceedingly long, horizontally extending horns. [Cite web
url=http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=32929&zenid=c00bf7703eb1dcde4f6d7936b0bb9791
title=Thrud the Barbarian Issue 3 Cover picture
publisher=Forbidden Planet
accessdate=2007-04-17]

Carl Critchlow

Critchlow himself appears in a number of Thrud strips, occasionally as a narrator although more often as a drinking companion for Thrud. Critchlow depicts himself with lank hair and a large cap pulled down low over his eyes.

Croneman the Cimpletan

Croneman claims to be the mightiest barbarian of the northern tribes and honorary chief of the savage bezerkers of Nid. Known also as Amoron, the Wombat, he is a slayer, a reaver, a corsair, a usurper, and a conqueror. [Harvnb|Critchlow|1987|p=5] Depicted as resembling Schwarzenegger, he is also a bodybuilder with a very silly accent. On first meeting Croneman, Thrud slices him in half with a sword. When Croneman returns to join a group of mercenaries fighting The Black Currant in "Thrud the Destroyer", he is depicted with a line of sutures running down the middle of his face and chest. The name appears to be a play on words of Conan the Cimmerian.

Lymara, the She Wildebeeste

Thrud first encounters Lymara when he sees her chasing away a wasp by waving a small cloth from her tower bedroom. Thinking her to be a damsel in distress, Thrud storms the tower, killing Lymara's father, five brothers, two uncles, ten cousins and fiance in the process.Harvnb|Critchlow|1987|p=8] Seeking revenge, Lymara attempts to poison Thrud with a bottle of Acme "Mammoth Poison", but succeeds only in putting him to sleep as part of the "The Three Tasks of Thrud" series of strips.Harvnb|Critchlow|1987|p=11] Subsequently, Lymara joins Thrud as one of the group of mercenaries brought in to fight The Black Currant in "Thrud the Destroyer".Harvnb|Critchlow|1987|p=39] In this latter series of strips, Lymara is depicted with oversized breasts barely covered by an off-the-shoulder leather bra.

To-Me Ku-Pa

To-Me Ku-Pa (a name phonetically similar to that of British comedian Tommy Cooper) is an evil necromancer who regularly crosses paths with Thrud and is depicted as a bald man wearing a large cloak. Thrud first encounters To-Me Ku-Pa in an early "White Dwarf" strip and is turned into a frog. [Harvnb|Critchlow|1987|p=7] Subsequently, in "The Three Tasks of Thrud", To-Me Ku-Pa takes advantage of Thrud's drugged state, following Lymara's failed assassination attempt, to hypnotise him and force him to obtain three items necessary for a spell.

In "Thrud the Destroyer", To-Me Ku-Pa is revealed as being in service to The Black Currant and is providing him with an army of warriors drawn from throughout time, including daleks [Harvnb|Critchlow|1987|p=40] and Imperial stormtroopers. [Harvnb|Critchlow|1987|p=42] To-Me Ku-Pa also appears as the villain in issue 1 of the full-length "Thrud the Barbarian" comic. [Harvnb|Critchlow|2002]

To-Me Ku-Pa wields the magical sword, 'Stoatbringer', a spoof on the magical sword Stormbringer.

Merchandise

A range of Thrud merchandise has been produced since the character's inception, including a Thrud t-shirt and badgeHarvnb|Critchlow|1987|p=49] as well as a series of miniatures. Citadel Miniatures produced five different metal miniatures of Thrud, starting in 1984 with a "White Dwarf Personality" miniature.Cite web
url=http://www.collecting-citadel-miniatures.com/wiki/index.php/Thrud_-_Collectors_Guide
title=Thrud - Collectors Guide
publisher=Collecting Citadel Miniatures wiki
accessdate=2007-04-24] Three numbered limited edition miniatures followed consisting of "LE12, Thrud the Barbarian", in 1986, [Cite web
url=http://www.solegends.com/citWDAds/citwd1986/images/WD808608p62Various-01_05.htm
title=LE12 - Original Thrud miniature
publisher=Stuff of Legends
accessdate=2007-03-30] "LE19, Thrud and Female Admirer" in 1987, [Cite web
url=http://www.solegends.com/citle/citle1990/numbered/le19ThruddAdmirer.htm
title=LE19 - Thrud and Female Admirer
publisher =Stuff of Legends
accessdate=2007-03-15] and "LE104, Thrud scratching head". [Cite web
url=http://www.solegends.com/citle/citle1990/numbered/le104ThruddScratch.htm
title=LE104 - Thrud scratching head
publisher=Stuff of Legends
accessdate=2007-03-30] Thrud was also introduced as a Blood Bowl player [Cite web
url=http://www.blood-bowl.net/Thrud.html
title=Thrud Blood Bowl stats
publisher=Blood-Bowl.net
accessdate=2007-03-30] and Jervis Johnson commissioned an appropriate miniature. [Cite web
url=http://www.freelists.org/archives/sbgc/06-2002/msg00015.html
title=Fanatic Newsletter
author=Jervis Johnson
publisher=Jervis Johnson
month=June | year=2002
accessdate=2007-04-26] Heresy Miniatures has also produced three Thrud miniatures, including a limited edition "Strolling Thrud" that sold out within three weeks of release. [Cite web
url=http://www.heresyminiatures.com/faqlist.htm
title=Frequently Asked Questions
publisher=Heresy Miniatures
accessdate=2007-04-30] On 29 March 2007, [Cite web
url=http://heresyminiatures.com/forumofdoom/index.php?topic=5211.100
title=Forum of Doom: Some excellent news for Thrud collectors...
publisher=Heresy Miniatures
accessdate=2007-04-30] another limited edition of 1000 resin miniatures was released. [Cite web
url=http://www.heresyminiatures.com/images/pages/resinthrud1.htm
title=Ltd Edition! "Classic Thrud"
publisher=Heresy Miniatures
accessdate=2007-04-30]

Reception and awards

"Thrud the Barbarian" was one of the best loved pieces in "White Dwarf" magazine over the five years that the strip ran, being voted "Most popular feature" for three consecutive years, and fans remember him as being from the period "before "White Dwarf" was crap". Long-term fans of Thrud were excited and nostalgic to see him return in his own full-length comic, but were concerned that the idea would not stretch to 24 pages. In reviewing issue 1, Jez Higgins, writing on "TRS2", and Robert Clark of "Strike to Stun", considered the comic a success that was more than just a single joke spread thin and which was not limited by the single page brevity of the original strip. Steven Maxwell of "Bulletproof Comics", however, found that what worked well within the constraints of a single page seemed stretched when spun out over 24. Issue 2 received similarly mixed reviews, with Clark criticising the comic for being much the same, with the same themes and joke as issue 1 while Glenn Carter of "Comics Bulletin" found it to be well written light reading with quite a few elements of humour. Overall, the comic was deemed a success, with even the more negative reviewers awarding it 6 out of 10 and looking forward to more issues.

Although the writing received mixed reviews, the reception of the artwork was almost entirely positive. Higgins, recalling the heavy blacks and bold outlines of the original strip, found Critchlow's new style to be much more open and expressive with extremely good colouring. Maxwell also praised Critchlow's development as an artist, judging the comic to be beautifully drawn and coloured with a clear line style. One negative comment was made by Carter, who said that the art was a little flat in places, but he also praised the artwork for being unique with a lot of character.

Critchlow was also commended for the risky decision to write, draw and publish the comic himself. The comic was compared favourably with professional quality comics, with its lack of adverts viewed as an advantage over those offerings. The high production values were also praised, with the glossy cover and high quality paper used for the inner pages

In 2004, "Thrud the Barbarian" won the Eagle Award for "Favourite British Small Press Title". In 2006 Thrud was nominated for the "Favourite Colour Comicbook - British" Eagle Award, but lost out to "2000 AD". [Cite web
url=http://www.eagleawards.co.uk/results.asp?year=2006
title=2006 Results
publisher=The Eagle Awards
accessdate=2007-05-14]

Legacy

In October 2002, four months after "Thrud" issue 1 was published, Critchlow returned to "2000AD" using his new computer-drawn style. His first story was the Judge Dredd, "Out of the Undercity" story written by John Wagner. The new style was initially well received and seen as a marked improvement over his previous fully painted style with clearer figures and atmospheric colouring. As the "Undercity" story developed, however, Critchlow was criticised for using too narrow a palette, with too many greys and blues, although this might have been as a result of the story being set underground. [Cite web
url=http://www.2000adreview.co.uk/reviews/2002/1315review.shtml
title=2000AD 1315
publisher=2000AD Review
date=2002-10-30
accessdate=2007-06-04]

Criticism of Critchlow's subdued colouring continued with the 2003 Lobster Random story, "No Gain, No Pain". [Cite web
url=http://www.2000adreview.co.uk/reviews/2003/1342review.shtml
title=2000AD 1342
publisher=2000AD Review
date=2003-05-28
accessdate=2007-04-15] By the conclusion, however, Critchlow's style was recognised as being truly unique and even the previously criticised blues and greys were seen to work well when used with other coloured elements. The artwork in two further Lobster Random stories, "Tooth & Claw" in October 2004 and "The Agony & the Ecstacy" in April 2006 was again very well received. "Tooth & Claw" was praised for its character designs and nice colours [Cite web
url=http://www.2000adreview.co.uk/reviews/2004/2000ad_1411_review.shtml
title=2000AD 1411
publisher=2000AD Review
date=2004-10-13
accessdate=2007-04-15] while Critchlow's style in "The Agony & the Ecstacy" was said to be recognisable from a mile off with its "volume, colour and verve".

Footnotes

Bibliography

*Citation
last = Critchlow
first = Carl
author-link = Carl Critchlow
year = 1987
title = Thrud the Barbarian Graffik Novel
publisher = Games Workshop
id = Stock Code 00776₂
*Citation
last = Critchlow
first = Carl
author-link = Carl Critchlow
year= 2002
publication-date = June 2002
title = Thrud the Barbarian Issue 1
publisher = Carl Critchlow
issn = 1477-7096

External links

Carl Critchlow sites

*Cite web
url=http://www.thrudthebarbarian.com
title=Thrud the Barbarian Official site
accessdate=2007-04-15
*Cite web
url=http://www.carlcritchlow.com
title= Carl Critchlow Gallery
accessdate=2007-04-15