Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Martin Coccolo
Color Artist: Matthew Wilson
Cover Artist: Alex Ross
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $4.99
Reviewer: StoryBabbler
With the return of the elder gods of Utgard, Thor seeks answers behind their reappearance. But first, he required the godly skald, Loki, to help him recollect their very first, and only, journey into the realm of Utgard itself so long ago. However, the magic used to revisit the past has some side effects. But now halfway through the tale, the King of Asgard comes face-to-face with the master of Utgardhall. Read Immortal Thor #7 to see the God of Thunder encounter the Utgard-Loki.
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Review:
Okay, I won’t waste too much time on a primer, but I will say that this issue is a step up from the previous one. In my last review, I said that the comic felt like the first part of a “Part 1” to a story, but here it gets right into the meat of things. There’s still a couple of issues, but nothing too bad. Fair warning, this review will have some SPOILERS in it. Alright, let’s get to it.
The story picks up where it left off with Thor and Loki in the present day using some of Loki’s “skald magic” to revisit their journey into the realm of Utgard. They followed the directions of the Utgard giant Skrymir and finally make their way to one of the main abodes of the gods there, Utgardhall. Once they make their way inside, with some brief bit of humor, the two gods meet an even greater one, the Utgard-Loki in all his fiery majesty. I will talk more in-depth with him later. Once they meet their eloquent host, Thor and Loki are put through trials to test their mettle, their endurance and it is here where the story makes headway.
We’ll start with the pros then transition into the cons. Firstly, Al Ewing nails it when it comes to writing the personalities of classical Thor and Loki, for the most part, as their dynamic and rapport is solid. Granted, I wish this take on classical Loki was more cunning and wily, but I do love some of his reactions to the trials he goes through. He also makes this story feel like it’s a mythological tale as Thor faces multiple tests as does Loki, but the true test is the one of endurance on their spirits, particularly Thor. Let’s not forget Martin Coccolo’s art and Matthew Wilson’s colors; these two show why they’re an amazing creative combo with depicting the trials of Thor and Loki. Coccolo kills it with the environments and scale, making sure Thor and Loki truly feel like tiny gods compared to Utgard-Loki. On top of that, while there’s no fighting in this story, there’s still the action in the trials and they pull it off brilliantly, whether it’s Thor and his drinking trial, or Loki and his test of speed, etc. It all comes together very well.
However, this comic is not without its flaws. First, there’s Utgard-Loki. As far as his design, it’s alright; I’m a sucker for skeletal beings wreathed in flames. The Ghost Riders are some of my favorite designed Marvel heroes. My issue, as far as his design goes, is that his skeleton could’ve used a different color to emphasize it a little more, but it’s a solid contrast to Toranos’ pitch black color scheme. Also, since his skull can’t emote, you only have his eyes, which always look menacing, his body language, and his dialogue to go off of for his personality. Other than that, he does demonstrate impressive godly powers of magic with the trials, so hopefully we get to see more of him later.
The other issue is something Thor brings up at the end, which is the core concept of the Utgard gods being direct counterparts to the Asgardians. To me, it seems a little limiting to just have the Utgard gods essentially be older, bigger versions of gods we already know. Like how Thor says that if there’s an Utgard-Thor (Toranos) and an Utgard-Loki, then there could be more, even an Utgard-Odin, who we get a glimpse of at the end. While I have my doubts about this idea, I’m confident Al Ewing is planning something big with all of this.
Final Thoughts:
Immortal Thor #7 pits young Thor and Loki in a trial of endurace by the one and only Utgard-Loki himself. The art team do an impressive job when it comes to the action, facial expressions, and depicting the scale and massive size difference between the heroes and their gigantic host. The story feels very much like a mythic tale, and even after it’s over, the comic leaves with some interesting questions and sets up intriguing ideas for future issues to explore.