Thor: The Trials of Loki

If you write a graphic novel that makes you sympathetic for Loki, the Norse god of Mischief, I think you've got a problem. He's basically the Devil. So to finish this story and feel sorry for him either means that the author was a master in their writing or we've fallen as a society to the point that we take the side of the fallen angels. Or maybe both...

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa pens a Marvel miniseries that is very much set in the Earth-616 universe without being about superheroes. Blending Norse myth and Marvel Comics tweaks to the characters of Odin, Thor and the rest, you learn about the complicated character of Loki. The trickster is a god without a mythical realm. His Frost Giant father Laufey rejected him. His adopted father Odin prefers sons Thor and Balder over Loki. So it's no wonder that he unleashes trouble and deception upon everyone. Often with malicious intent.

It doesn't help that Loki is also foretold to usher forth Ragnarok; the end of all things.

So the ultimate question about Loki is such: does Loki intend to be evil or is it something beyond his control? This whole concept of the predestination of Loki's role in the fall of Asgard is a debate that any old school Calvinists would relish. Can Loki be to blame for the mischief he makes if he lacks free will?

The artwork is a varied mix of styles. Some pages look illustrated in the Marvel way. Others appear like they were ripped from ancient cave paintings and medieval texts. Some of that variety is due to this series being crafted by a quarter of artists and inkers. Sebastián Fiumara was the primary illustrator with Michael Lacombe the main inker. Al Barrionuevo and Álvaro López bringing the fourth and final segment to life.

This hard cover edition from 2011 is titled Thor: The Trials of Loki. However, if you own the 4-issue miniseries Loki from 2010-2011, you won't need to buy the hard cover collection. Why does Marvel repackage so many of their titles and series under different names? It's maddening! No wonder I get confused sometimes when I update my wish list or my collection database. I'm sure DC is guilty of this as well. I just don't notice their renaming issues as much.

I love the story. Really engaging. Norse mythology has always been my favorite of the ancient lores of the world. This is a very myth heavy story that makes you think. But as much of a fan of this work, I'm going trade it in for something else that I would much rather have as a part of my permanent collection, taking up a part of my limited shelf space.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology III #6 (2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

The epic collection of ancient Norse tales by acclaimed writer Neil Gaiman comes to a close. Mischievous Loki has raised an army in revenge against Highfather Odin. Allied with Fenrir the wolf, the demonic Surtr and the Midgard Serpent, Ragnarok has begun!

This is the third comic miniseries based on Norse myth by Neil Gaiman (Sandman). The Dark Horse Comics trio of minis were inspired by Gaiman's 2017 prose collection of Scandinavian folklore in his aptly titled Norse Mythology. Published by W.W. Norton & Company, Gaiman's novel covers the genesis of the nine realms, the evolution of giants, elves and other ancient races, dives into Loki's animosity against Odin and his son Thor and ultimately Ragnarok: the final war of the gods!

In 2020, Dark Horse Comics issued forth the first miniseries based on Gaiman's collection of Norse tales. Volume I focused on the creation of Asgard and the Nine Realms. Volume II chronicles many of the most beloved accounts of bravery and deceit starring Thor, Loki, Balder and many other popular names that grace the halls of Valhalla. Folk tales about the creation of art, poetry and Northern European animals are also included. Book III is all about Ragnarok: the lead up to war, the bloody conflict and the promise of a new race: mankind!

The artist for these three miniseries is P. Craig Russell (Night Music). Russell's artwork evokes a timeless whimsy. I'm no art expert. But if I had to describe P. Craig Russell's style I would say 1920s Art Deco mixed with the posters of French commercial artist Rodolphe Salis (La Chat Noir).

It's interesting to read this account of Ragnarok and the world that arrives afterwards. I'm amazed by how similar this 'pagan' tale is to the final battle of Armageddon as foretold in the Book of Revelations. One of my favorite classes as a kid was on world mythology. Thus, I've read how Thor will slay the Midgard Serpent and how Odin will die on the field of battle.. But I didn't know that in that epic the world would be reborn along with a new version of Asgard on in the wings.

I'm always last to the party with things. I got on the Deadpool train like 10 years ago. I didn't start reading The Walking Dead until it became a TV series. And I pick up the latest issue of Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology which is the 18th and final overall issue. But you can be sure I'll be adding those remaining 17 books to my wish list!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #31 (Story of Ancient Mythology) of the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge. 

Essential Thor Volume 5

I'm not really as big of a fan of the cosmic Thor stories. The ones I adore are those that delve into Norse myth or are the run-of-the-mill tussles with super powered baddies. I'm not sure why that is. But I really hated Thor: The Dark World and if it wasn't for the humor and use of the Asgardian goddess, Hela, I probably would've hated Thor: Ragnarok too!

Speaking of Ragnarok. The end of Asgard occurs at least twice in this book. One sees the fall of Odin. The other occurrence is a reprinting of a classic Stan Lee/Jack Kirby foretelling of the end of all things. 

Gerry Conway, one of my all-time favorite Superman creators, pens all of the original stories. Some instances were very good. But Conway sends Thor and company into space quite a bit in this huge 500 page plus volume. So, it was difficult to enjoy this collection thoroughly. 

I really got a kick out of the Marvel/DC crossover. Yes, 4 actual characters from the DC universe crossover into Marvel territory in a two-parter some 5 years before the Man of Steel will meet The Amazing Spider-Man. For some, this crossover might seem that much of a big deal. But if you were an avid reader of Justice League of America and The Brave and the Bold around 1968-1972, you'll get a kick out of the appearance of several minor but oh so import figures in DC history. 

Oh, wait, now that I think of it, there were 5 characters who crossed over!

The art by Sal Buscema, his brother John , Len Wein and others was amazing stuff. It's interesting how much the characters change when crafted by other artists and yet they still manage to look iconic too! 

An enjoyable read of Thor stories. However, it's just not my favorite collection of them either. With only 1 Marvel Essential collection of Thor stories, I am thinking that I am not going to ever get to the Walt Simonson era. I guess I am going to have to start looking for color collections or possibly start collecting Thor single issues in order to get to that and close out the Odinson's original series of tales.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

What If? Thor was Raised by Frost Giants #1

For this issue of What If...?, the question is raised, what if Odin was killed and instead it was Thor who was raised by the frost giants?

It's an interesting concept that I was quite surprised hasn't been tackled yet! It was also a refreshing take. Instead of focusing on how having Thor and Loki growing up as brothers and not adversaries in arms would impact the Marvel Universe, this one-shot takes place during the times of Norse myth. However, a second issue in which we do see what the world would be like without the Avengers, would be a concept I'd love to see explored.

A couple of things don't really gel in this issue however. First is Thor's temperament. When his father, Odin is killed by Laufey, the lad swears to kill the king of the frost giants. But over time, he becomes Laufey's heir apparent and actually swears love and fealty to the king of Jotunheim. It just seems unlikely that Thor would turn like that. He's got too much honor. Unless being with the frost giants is enough to make you loose your self-respect...

The second issue is also about Thor. At one point in this story, Thor goes from being white-skinned to that of the blue skin of the frost giants. This isn't so much a nitpick. Loki changes his appearance throughout his time on Asgard. So for Thor to change in appearance makes sense. 

 Like if Thor was to smite some ice creature in order to become a frost giant- that would make sense. But the change just happens. There's no explanation as to why or how. That omission just seems like a very important piece of the puzzle.

It's not a bad story. The art is quite good. I'm willing to bet that the the missteps of these book are due not because of poor storytelling but lack editing. Or maybe too aggressive of an edit or two. I had heard that writer Ethan Sacks had contributed a script just a couple of pages too large for what Marvel was willing to publish. So, I'm betting that the editing staff at Marvel took an exacto knife to the script and in doing so trimmed away some important parts. Not just important parts but vital to a cohesive and well-rounded story. Unfortunately, it got away from the House of Ideas this time...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.