RAGNAROK

“Ragnarok’s” sporadic publishing schedule has left fans of the book clamoring for months between issues and can prove to be a frustrating ride, but — once it arrives — it’s easy to forgive as readers discover just how much work has gone into the issue in their hands. This week’s issue proves that point once again as Walter Simonson takes the Stone God to the foot of the world tree in his search for answers about the fallen realm of Asgard. The story pulls in readers and the old-school craftsmanship of the narrative means the book has much to give. What makes “Ragnarok” work is the history the creator has with this material as well as his own expertise on the subject matter. Simonson, a mythological scholar in college, revels in the minutiae of the Norse gods down to the last detail. The character designs are all vibrant and befitting; it’s a testament to his skill that the protagonist of the series is missing half a face and is somehow still expressive. As Thor is guided through the

When Walter Simonson last got his hands on the Norse God of Thunder, he took his powers away and gave them to a horse-faced alien, eventually restoring them just before turning him into a frog. In “Ragnarök” #4, Simonson has his way with a different incarnation of the character, having awakened a zombie-like creature who carries a hammer named Mjolnir but doesn’t call himself Thor. It’s actually a post-Ragnarök world, where the dead roam the realms and the newly awakened, so-called Stone God struggles to recollect his days as one of the living gods. It’s also pure, unadulterated Simonson with plenty of fists, thunder and mythological creatures to remind readers just how larger than life his concepts can seem. Simonson’s dynamic, off-the-page layouts are evident as early the cover, and it’s a shame that most readers won’t get to appreciate both variants. The standard cover shows an imposing, hammer-wielding not-Thor ready to strike against a no less imposing armored troll, while the

Walter Simonson’s welcome return to epic fantasy and Norse-inspired saga, “Ragnarok” #1 is a creative, massively confident first issue that makes no apology for its source material or genre. Fast-moving and neatly plotted, it’s a lively, readable adventure that got me right into the world. Readers who’d rather that their comics push the bounds of epic fantasy won’t be won over, but those who just want a fine example of the form would be hard-pressed to outdo “Ragnarok” #1. The book’s point-of-view is made clear from the get-go. “Ragnarok” #1 has one of the most boldly esoteric openings I’ve read in big-publisher comics: a stream of translations from the Elder (Poetic) Edda, kenning and all, set over a sprawling rendering of Ragnarok. These are some seriously gorgeous pages, but the reader is expected to roll with a 13th century text as her narrator. It’s a get-on-board-with-epic or get out situation. From there, the protagonist is introduced as a blue-skinned elf assassin on a quest

First things first: I still can’t believe that this comic exists. More than that, though, I can’t believe how good it is. There is no question that it has a ridiculous premise with a pretty naked basis in character recognition cash-in. But what’s wonderful about Eric M. Esquivel and Jerry Gaylord’s “Loki: Ragnarok and Roll” is that it makes no apologies about its premise and relishes its own absurdity. There are few things as charming as confidence and as endearing as going whole hog. This series does both. Whereas the first issue was set almost entirely in Asgard, Issue #2 focuses on Earth and Loki’s new life in the rock band. The supporting members of the band — David, Masumi and Kay — are also introduced, and they’re likeably bemused and enthused by their rocket ride to fame. Esquivel makes them feel like different people, but plot-wise they all play the role of the audience: just along for the ride. When their concert is interrupted by a bloody inter-pantheon beatdown, they just

It’s logically been Marvel Comics that’s benefitted from the recent popularity of Thor in both the movies as well as its own comics, but because their own character is actually based on a mythological figure, the gates of Asgard are open to anyone wanting to craft their own unique incarnation of the God of Thunder and his kin. BOOM! Studios has done exactly that with “Loki: Ragnarok and Roll” #1 by Eric M. Esquivel and Jerry Gaylord, and as one might imagine from the title alone — if not Alexis Ziritt’s colorful, counter-culture-esque cover — Thor’s half-brother Loki goes through the transformation from God of Mischief to rock god. Thor is there too, of course, ever the bold and boisterous warrior, but one with a far more cartoonish kind of buffoonery as comedically rendered by Esquivel and Gaylord. Gaylord amps up the laughs by putting Thor on the steroids of the gods; his most amazing feat when not in battle might just be simply fitting his impossibly barrel-chested self through As