Though perhaps not as familiar to contemporary readers as Jim Davis’ Garfield, or the Gang from Peanuts, comic characters Hägar the Horrible and Groo the Wanderer remain beloved by many, and now this fan art brings the Viking and Barbarian together for the first time. More than just bridging multiple eras of history, this meet-up unites two similar comic book icons.

Artist Adam Murphy (@adammurphyart) posted on Instagram, sharing his drawing of Dik Browne’s Hägar and Sergio Aragonés’ Groo, depicted in a warmhearted embrace, each clutching a horn of mead, with big smiles on their faces.

It’s the type of scene fans could envision about a meet-up between two of the comics industry’s most iconically laughable warriors. Murphy’s piece perfectly captures the exact festive circumstances, where both Hägar and Groo – though mighty warriors – can let their guards down and bring a room together with their irresistibly lovable personalities.

Hägar The Horrible & Groo The Wanderer: An Epic Meet-Up Decades In The Making

Fan Art By @adammurphyart

As Murphy suggests in the text accompanying the Instagram post, a Hägar–Groo meeting seems impossible at first. Indeed, considering that each lived in their distinct worlds, a reasonable argument can be made that there’s a limited possibility that they wouldever have an opportunity to run into one another. However, upon deeper reflection, a Hägar–Groo meeting might be more likely than initially expected, as there is more overlap between the two types of ancient conqueror, represented by the pair of comic characters, than some might realize.

While creator Dik Browne did not specify the exact historical period in which Hägar the Horrible takes place, readers know that he is a Viking. It is also revealed in one of his comic strips that Hägar was involved in the Viking invasion of England; historically speaking, this occurred between 793 AD and 865 AD. Accordingly, that means Hägar the Horrible existed during the Dark Ages. Like Hägar, outside identifying Groo as a barbarian, Sergio Aragonés did not provide an exact time for Groo’s wanderings, though it’s possible to estimate a possible timeline from his title as a barbarian.

A Hägar & Groo Team-Up Is Not As Historically Silly As It Might Sound

A Natural Fit

The term “barbarian” derives from an ancient Greek term used to describe anyone who did not speak Greek or understand Greek customs and traditions. Later, it became a sort of catchall term used by Romans for foreigners. However, during the Dark Ages, continental Europeans used the term to describe Vikings and other Scandinavian marauders who increasingly targeted Europe for their plundering raids. In other words, while Groo could have belonged to one of the Viking-like marauding groups that attacked Europe. Under this scenario, there are a multitude of times when Hägar and Groo could have met, such as during a raid.

Historical accuracy aside, Adam Murphy’s fan art celebrates two beloved comic characters, both from the ancient past, both of whom deserve more recognition from modern audiences. Murphy’s affection for the characters is evident from the joyous expressions he instills in their renditions of them – making this Hägar and Groo hang-out worth the decades it took to occur. While the notorious cartoon Barbarian warrior, and Viking raider, may not have remained as popular as rival comics like Garfield and Peanuts, they do endure in the popular consciousness in a way that this fan art perfectly exhibits.