Mighty Thor #2 Spoilers

[JKtheMac]

Mighty Thor #2 - The War of the Elves
Jason Aaron / Russell Dauterman / Matthew Wilson

The return of Loki!
But for Thor, will he be friend or foe?

Synopsis:
spoilers:

Issue one finished Loki being introduced to the Dark Council by Malekith, while Bor and his Thunder Guard try to arrest Thor at Bifrost. We open with a narration of Jane considering her great relationship with her father juxtaposed against a scene where Loki and Laufey are discussing their relationship. Laufey is asking Loki to walk Bloodcicle Canyon in the icy lands of Jotunheim. If Loki does this Laufey will support Loki’s application to the Dark Council. The Canyon turns out to be populated by club wielding Frost Giants. Cut to Asgardia and the ensuing battle on Bifrost, where Bor and his Thunder Guard achieve the upper hand and Heimdall intervenes by sending Thor to the battle he considers is hers to fight. He then surrenders to Bor. In Alfheim Roxxon tanks and Dark Elf troops are seen mopping up resistance on their march to the capital of Ljosalfgurad. Watching on is Malekith with three attending War Witches, he is asking them if there is any word on Laufey’s arrival when Amora the Enchantress turns up asking when she will get what she wants. As often is her want, she has designs on the Odinson, but wonders if Malekith might allow her to take the pretender’s head. But Malkith has other plans for Thor. Back in Jotunheim Loki is celebrating his verbal victory over Laufey’s challenge (to Laufey’s disapproval), but Laufey is convinced by Loki’s plea to show him what he can do to a Thor. Laufey arrives on the battlefield and is greeted by Malekith and Laufey reveals he intends for neither Loki nor Thor to leave Alfheim alive. In the besieged Ljosalfgurad Thor is attempting to rally the defences when Loki arrives stating he only wants to talk.

end of spoilers

Clearly a build-up issue Aaron takes some time to bring Loki’s relationship with his father into focus and allow us to compare and contrast with Thor and Odinson. The latter has always been a thematic comparison but Aaron wisely shifts the focus by making it clear Loki has changed since we last saw them in a scene together.

Aaron more fully explores Laufey and brings in Amora. Everyone is plotting with their own agendas and although we only get a glimpse of those here, the situation feels rife for conflict and drama.

As we are becoming used to, Dauterman does a sterling job here. His character designs and his sense of location shine through, with great work from Wilson helping the latter. Dauterman’s use of maps and establishment shots give us a good sense of the tactical situation and the Bifrost battle is both dynamic and efficient.

Discussion to follow.