Story/Pencils: Mikael Bergkvist
Inks: Joe Rubinstein
Colors: Chris Shields

Bernard can use a sword when he wants to. Or a chair, or a broken beer glass.

Mikael (sometimes known as Amikael) is an old buddy of mine who's done a variety of odd jobs in the US comics market. He's been involved with the publisher Deadline Comics, and with Warrant that makes those Warren knockoff homage magazines. And he's worked with Neal Adams and stuff.

Joe Rubinstein is… well, just name a US comic, DC or Marvel or whatever, from the 70s onwards and there's a good chance he's worked on it. We got in contact through Mikael – he also inked one of my own strips that will be uploaded here eventually.

I wanted this piece to be handled by a professional colorist.  While looking for one I fooled around with it myself; the style seen below was pretty common in Swedish comic books in the 60s and 70s. It's known around here as ”lingonberry jam” coloring.

Compare it with the proper version above and you can see that Chris added a number of details on his own, mainly in the floor and the ceiling.

Click to enlarge a wee bit.

The Dark and Hairy Annals of Birger Barbaren