Writer: Walter Simonson
Art: Scot Eaton and Andrew Dalhouse (colorist)
Publisher: Marvel comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 12th, 2023
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the What if…? Dark Loki #1 Review.
THE DISPATCH
As with most Marvel What if? stories, What if…? Dark Loki #1 subverts readers’ expectations in a big way, changing events from how they typically are and offering a new perspective about how things would occur if established events happened differently. In particular, this story is a re-telling of events from the classic tale in Thor #153, but with a major twist. Loki is able to kill Thor while the thunder god is in his human guise as Dr. Donald Blake, and he becomes the god of thunder instead. This issue truly shows how powerful and ruthless Loki can be if left unrestrained. He not only has the power of Thor, but he still as his own power too, making him a force to be reckoned with. It also shows us that his quest for power proves to be his downfall. Additionally, it pays tribute to Stan Lee’s writing by keeping some of the same dialogue from the original story.
ART
The art in What if…? Dark Loki #1 is very detailed and colorful. The opening pages do a good job of paying tribute to Jack Kirby’s art from Thor #153. It is clearly evident that this is set during the silver age of Marvel. This new story adds more bright colors and fine inks to make the characters stand out more. Furthermore, the battle scenes between Loki and Surtur along with scenes between Odin and the wolf really stand out, as well as the destruction the battle causes to the nine realms. There’s also a great page of Loki leading an army as well as of Loki magically multiplying himself.
FINAL THOUGHTS
What if…? Dark Loki #1 takes a classic Marvel story and turns it on its head. Readers who remember the original story will be surprised by the changes this one takes. With stellar artwork, it captures the Marvel version of Norse mythology and contains epic fight scenes. It truly shows how powerful Loki would be if he possessed Mjolnir while still holding onto his own power. The book ends in almost biblical way, perhaps serving as a subtle commentary on the nature of religion.