Rorschach Reviews
Loki's Latest
So first thing, from here onwards my Rorschach reviews will not include any diary entries from the titular vigilante (cue the boos from the crowd). I know this means my reviews losing their unique flavor, but I felt this necessary since it's hard to try adjust the Rorschach diaries to the comic I am reviewing. I also felt using Rorschach for such methods would do diservice to the characters memories. Second thing you may notice an icon/image at the top, this is included as a new special link to all the pages with Rorschach comics. In a sense it is an image tag or what I like to call; a Tagmage. Enjoy!
Comic: Thor-God of Thunder 5 Marvel NOW!
Creative Team: Writer- Jason Aaron
Art- Esad Ribic
Colors- Ive Svorcina
Cover- Esad Ribic
Release Date: 20th February 2013
Score: 9/10
Pros: -A brilliant all-round look at Gorr the butcher but still keeping intact on the whole puzzle
-Ribic draws with a spectacular Norse and royal feel, he also knows how to handle the bloody fight scenes
-Religious undertones are well warranted and (surprisingly) a new scope in Thor comics
-Aaron infuses his brand of quirky and referential comedy in tense moments
-A gripping fusion of writing and art that does not let down for even one panel, let alone a page.
Cons: -While the comic isn't detracted by it, but there is no pay-off or conclusion to the story. After all Marvel and Aaron did promise us this.
Main Events: A hint to Gorr's origins including his belief in God and his coming to being one no more, Past Thor's 17 day torture, Thor being saved by Vikings in turn proving the might of faith, Gorr's life threatening injury at the hand of young Thor, The revelation that the dark beasts in control of Gorr were manifested after Gorr felt he needed allies in order to destroy the gods, Also Thor of the present has no memory of the viking that died to save him in the past, Young Thor's embarrassment of the torture leads him to proclaim against ever mentioning the tale of Gorr in turn preventing him from making the gods aware of their impending doom, Present Thor reaching the future to catch Gorr and fighting against his minions alongside his future self, Future Thor revealing to his present self that Gorr has been in this timeline for 900 years and has been quite busy.
Memorable Quote: "Father, What's happened to Asgard?"-Present Thor, not realizing that he is in the future talking to his older self.
"I'm not your father, you beardless whelp."-Future Thor
Memorable Panel: Past Thor strikes down Gorr in a fury with his axe unleashing a barrage of blue lightning at the same time!!!
Aaron and Ribic have to be commended. Take a bow you two talented juggernauts, they've been at it for only five issues and the team is already one of my favorites and I believe many other among the Thor writer-artist teams. It's just splendid to see the current Marvel situation where some duo's are producing the best work each character has ever seen and these two are no exception.
If I were to recommend a new reader wanting to understand the mythology of the comic book Thor, I would point them to the works of Stan Lee/Jack Kirby, Walt Simonson, JMS, Kieron Gillen and now after only five issues Jason Aaron/Esad Ribic's Thor runs. Both collaborate seamlessly, each understanding the scope of the story and the art in producing the best comic on the Marvel NOW! initiative.
Aaron injects drama and tension through out the issue, he moves a t a brisk pace but also provides good character beats mostly those laced with comedy between the older and present day Thor's. He plays upon the history of the comic as he has done before and shows not only Thor's stupidity but also his prior arrogance. If fans were miffed with the light characterization from Thor in his movie and early comics then Aaron helps out with this. He does not necessarily alter the history of the character, but adds nuanced layers which give way to the bigger scope of a Marvel universe yet to be plundered.
In the ruckus of Thor, Gorr is not left behind. The issue having promised revelations fails to do so, but still adds onto the puzzle and opens vast amounts of information on this villain. His methods and history put stalwart Thor foes to shame including Surtur, Enchantress, Kurse and most surprisingly even Loki.
I know I have said this before but I cannot help myself, Ribic is freaking amazing. His art is something out of this world and rightly so, it provides depth and a royal feel to the whole comic. As IGN pointed out in one of it's comic reviews, Marvel has been at it's hiring A-game bringing on some odd but dazzling choices for their artists. Ribic is smart in giving Gorr a change in make over between the eras as he does with Thor. Past Thor's resemblance to his father is also a nice touch, smaller details are welcoming such as present Thor's puzzled and heroic looks while the flash of arrogance within the younger version.
Hopefully Ribic continues onwards as it is always hard for artists to keep on schedule, especially considering the amount of flawless art they have to produce in the limited time. I cannot say anymore, except if you are a comic fan and are not in the Thor:GoT bandwagon then you're sure as hell missing out!!!
'For Asgard and For Odin, So Says Thor the Mighty God of Thunder!!!
Aneesh Raikundalia
No comments:
Post a Comment