Review: Ragnarok #1

The gods have been slain and the world has been cast asunder. Thor, the mighty son of Odin is defeated by Terminus, the glorious offspring of Earth. This is the world Walter Simonson casts the reader into.

The story follows Brynja, a Black Elf assassin, on her assignment to kill a dead god. Simonson’s first introduction to the character is very intriguing and he switches up gender roles. Brynja is a female assassin, who leaves her husband and young daughter behind to pursue what she hopes will be her last mission securing the future of her family especially her daughter.

The story is familiar to many other hero stories and has many characteristics of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. Brynja leaves her family and sets off on a journey. She makes a deal with a villainous character with high reward and high risk upon completion or failure. Her journey requires her to gather mercenaries as she travels across the deserted world to confront and kill a dead god.

There is a reason why the tale of the hero is so popular-- it can be extremely enjoyable, and Simonson does an excellent job of doing just that. He also spices it up with a little bit of mystery. The sequence of Brynja accepting her contract is extremely mysterious and adds a level of the unknown to what appears a very straight-forward story. Simonson ups the mystery even more when Brynja’s daughter, Drifa, experiences an all too real nightmare. The only problem is the writing can be a little too in-your-face with quotes like “We are there.” And “I have gold.”

Simonson really shines in developing an immersive world. Although much of it barren, it has areas where the world comes to life. Whether it is in the ruins where Brynja is meeting her mysterious and sinister boss or at Kliffborg, the Fortress at the Edge of the Worlds, there are many places to explore. Simonson’s artwork not only explores geographic expanses but captures the realm of fantasy through the different types of creatures and animals he introduces. Brynja’s mount is the most prominent: a horse with an elongated snout and teeth as sharp as razors. All of these details from the geography to the animals to the characters themselves create a very beautiful fantasy setting.

A fantasy world is not complete without magic, and the panels where Brynja is casting her spells are very intriguing especially since Simonson had the words of the spell outline one of the panels; it is an added touch that heightens the fantastical elements. Laura Martin’s coloring is up to snuff and she shows her ability to contrast timelines allowing the reader to easily transition from the first few pages to the introduction of Brynja and her family.

7.5	Fantastic artwork and a fun fantasy story rooted in Norse mythology will have you subbing before you know it!

Review: Superman #33

The story picks up exactly where Johns and Romita Jr. left the reader in Superman #32 figuring out who is Ulysses. The man who wants to know the most is of course the fiery editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet, Mr. Perry White. The opening sequence allows for some nice banter among co-workers, although it is extremely heavy on the speech bubbles.

The heavy speech bubbles go on for a few pages with an almost entire recap of the beginning of Superman #32 on just one page: Perry gives details on the Ulysses Research Lab and how it all went wrong.

Geoff Johns is able to have some fun with Ulysses when he removes the uniform and begins exploring Metropolis. Ulysses is quite perplexed when the citizens refer to him as “handsome” and “buddy.” Naturally he corrects them and informs them his name is Neil. It adds much needed humor in a very heavy information-focused book. Not only does Johns add some humor through the character, but he also introduces more of his abilities, especially one that could have a lot of interesting consequences for Superman.

Ulysses also is center-stage for Romita Jr.’s detailed action sequences involving the beheading of a robotic soldier, which reminds one of the small toy green soldiers you played with as a kid. The sequence brings out Ulysses’ ferocity and his ultimate desire for peace which, ironically, he uses violence to obtain. Johns uses the after-action sequence to draw a contrast between Superman and Ulysses, one that defines who Superman is.

Romita Jr.’s artwork shines again and brings back memories of reading the Sunday Funnies especially the scenes in the newsroom. Although there are some panels where Superman seems stiff and his positioning looks awkward. There is one where he is turning to face Ulysses and his neck is almost at a 90 degree angle. It hurts your neck just looking at it! Romita Jr. excels in the action sequences whether it is the green Titano-like soldiers being blasted into smithereens or Ulysses going into Super-Saiyan mode as the crowd in the background cowers in fear.

One thing is for sure despite the large information dump by Johns, the story is intriguing and takes a huge twist at the end, that no one saw coming from the first book. The twist is so major it could drastically affect an entire character’s view of himself and the world around him.

7.8	A huge plot twist and some fun humor with Ulysses are held back by a heavy focus on recapping information and a lot of panels filled with speech bubbles.

Review: Superman #32

Superman #32 written by Geoff Johns with penciling from John Romita Jr. and inking by Klaus Janson begins with a very familiar opening act. A class five hazardous leak at the Ulysses Research Center is occurring and a couple and their newborn son are attempting to flee the inevitable. Unfortunately for them, they are doomed to die, but their son is able to escape! He is even sent to a world where he will look like the native populace, but won’t be one of them. Sounds familiar right? Looks like Superman, sounds like Superman right? Wrong. The young newborn’s name: Neil.

Don’t worry our title character makes a smashing debut right into the face of a giant mechanical ape-creature named Titano. The artwork on Titano by Romita is detailed down to the last bits of wire flying from his bludgeoned head. The look of Titano definitely seems inspired by one Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator.

Johns transitions nicely from high-flying action to give a newsroom setting, where he gives a little life lesson. A young aspiring photographer, who happens to have inherited millions from his mysterious parents, is trying to pitch the sale of a very shoddy photograph of the Man of Steel. The life lesson comes despite our aspiring photographer having millions of dollars; he is pursuing his own dreams, though it may be met with failure. It will be interesting to see how Johns further develops this character.

The reader gets their first look at Clark Kent and he’s at the Daily Planet, where Johns and Romita’s art intertwine some history of the Superman comic world, to give new readers (like this reviewer) some footing to stand on. Point in hand, there is a poster declaring Lex Luthor has Saved the World!! The story jumps around a little bit from here, Clark (in altogether different attire) arrives at his apartment from the grocery store, there is one panel of Lois in a bar, and one with our aspiring photographer meeting with lawyers. The reader is definitely taken for a little bit of a roller coaster ride.

The story gets back on track, when Superman answers the call to save Metropolis! The action sequence is exhilarating, and Geoff Johns and Romita even add a dash of the sinister with a one-framer from an on-looking villain. The battle rages on filling up eight whole pages. The aftermath isn’t surprising giving the lead-in, but Johns does a good job of piquing not only the reader’s interest but Superman’s as well. The question is: Who is Ulysses?

8.4	Extremely detailed artwork by Romita combined with an action-packed story despite getting sidetracked at one point make Superman #32 a good entrance into the Superman universe.