Andrew MacLean

When Andrew MacLean’s Viking swordsman Norgal first swung his axe in 2013, no one expected it would carve a path straight through the indie comics landscape. A decade later, the creator, writer, and artist behind Head Lopper stands as one of the medium’s most audacious voices—a Diamond Gem Award-winning auteur whose bold, geometric linework and bone-dry humor have built a world that readers can’t get enough of. Balancing epic fantasy with intimate character drama, MacLean delivers oversized issues that feel like they’re bursting at the seams with imagination, and his work has been translated into nine languages worldwide.

The Head Lopper Saga

MacLean’s signature creation is Head Lopper (available from Image Comics), a quarterly oversized fantasy epic following Norgal—a hulking Viking swordsman known as the Head Lopper—and his unwilling companion Agatha the Blue Witch, whose severed head he carries in a bag. What began in 2013 as a self-published debut at HeroesCon quickly gained momentum through a successful Kickstarter for the second issue, and by 2015, Image Comics had picked up the series. What followed was one of indie comics’ most distinctive runs: issues spanning 40 to 96 pages, packed with relentless monster-slaying, dry wit, and some of the most dynamic fantasy art in the medium.

The series captured the Diamond Gem Award and has been collected into four sold-out volumes: The Island or A Plague of Beasts, The Crimson Tower, The Knights of Venora, and The Quest for Mulgrid’s Stair. In April 2026, Head Lopper returned for its tenth anniversary with a brand-new #1 kicking off volume five—a murder mystery set on a casino barge. The Beat called the relaunch “a fully-realized cartoon world that feels expansive and full of history,” while AIPT hailed MacLean’s “endlessly fun, deeply connective might as true fantasy comics magic.”

Colorists Mike Spicer (volumes 1–4) and Jordie Bellaire (volume 5 onward) have been instrumental in shaping the book’s vivid visual identity, and MacLean’s wife Erin handles lettering and design duties.

ApocalyptiGirl: A Post-Apocalyptic Love Letter

Between Head Lopper issues, MacLean turned to science fiction with ApocalyptiGirl: An Aria for the End Times (published by Dark Horse Comics), First released in 2015 and reissued in a deluxe second edition in 2020, the graphic novel follows Aria and her cat Jelly Beans as they navigate a lush world reclaimed by nature, hunting for an ancient relic of impossible power. MacLean calls it his “love letter to science fiction,” and the book showcases the same hand-drawn charm and brutal action sequences that define his fantasy work, wrapped in a leaner, more emotionally resonant package. Big Comic Page awarded it a perfect 5/5, calling it “a feast for the eyes” with a narrative that is “tight” and characterization that is “spot-on.” The book earned a YALSA nomination.

Beyond His Own Books

MacLean has brought his unmistakable sensibility to major publishers and franchises across the industry. He wrote Godzilla: War for Humanity for IDW Publishing (with art by Jake Smith), unleashing the King of the Monsters in his signature action-heavy style. He contributed a Swamp Thing / Constantine team-up story to DC’s Zatannic Panic! #1—a must-read for fans of the supernatural corner of the DC Universe. His variant cover work spans Marvel, DC, and Image, including striking interpretations for The New Gods, Wonder Woman Black & Gold, Rumble, Adventure Time, and Rick and Morty.

Alongside artist James Harren, MacLean is currently co-creating Death Fight Forever for Image Comics, a five-issue series that launched in 2026. He has also contributed to Eight Billion Genies, Ultramega, and other Image titles.

Laser Wolf Attack & Brand New Nostalgia

Outside of panels and pages, MacLean co-founded Laser Wolf Attack with his wife Erin—a lifestyle brand where bold art meets street-ready apparel. The label sells clothing, accessories, and Head Lopper merchandise, operating as a creative venue untethered from any single comic property. He also founded the artist collective Brand New Nostalgia, where many of his early character designs—including the very first sketch of the Head Lopper himself—first appeared.

MacLean is represented by Jim Ehrich at RBEL Agency. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Erin and their dog Lola, fueling his creative engine with coffee, whiskey, and heavy metal.

Perfect for fans of Mike Mignola’s Hellboy, James Harren’s Ultramega, and the sword-and-sorcery tradition of Conan the Barbarian—but with a darkly comedic sensibility that’s entirely his own.