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.

[Hariel0079]

I have zero faith in Aaron's Loki, I love Ewing's Loki much better.

[JKtheMac]

I have zero faith in Aaron's Loki, I love Ewing's Loki much better.

We don't have much to go on yet with the character under Aaron. I thought we got a more subtle and less duplicitous Loki in the scene with Laufey.

But personally I am pleased to see him out of Ewing's hands. The overall arc was OK in Agent of Asgard but I felt the execution of many of the issues was lacking. I didn't really care for the characterisation. I felt he was set-up as a potentially fascinating aspect of Loki but he never felt as well rounded as under Gillen. Over-all I didn't ever root for Ewing’s Loki.

I am biased however, I think Kid Loki is the best Marvel character so far this decade.

[HUTHAIFA]

We don't have much to go on yet with the character under Aaron. I thought we got a more subtle and less duplicitous Loki in the scene with Laufey.

But personally I am pleased to see him out of Ewing's hands. The overall arc was OK in Agent of Asgard but I felt the execution of many of the issues was lacking. I didn't really care for the characterisation. I felt he was set-up as a potentially fascinating aspect of Loki but he never felt as well rounded as under Gillen. Over-all I didn't ever root for Ewing’s Loki.

I am biased however, I think Kid Loki is the best Marvel character so far this decade.

I want Kid Loki back.

[Some Guy]

I want Kid Loki back.

Where can I read more Kid Loki? He was hysterical in YA.

[Stormcrow]

This was probably my favorite issue from Aaron so far, I'm really enjoying the setup for the war of the realms. Happy to see Enchantress being used and I was pleasantly surprised by his Loki.

Dauterman continues to impress with his work, although I am not convinced by Loki's facial hair. He would look perfect without it...

[ImprobableQuestion]

Where can I read more Kid Loki? He was hysterical in YA.

Journey into Mystery!

[JKtheMac]

Where can I read more Kid Loki? He was hysterical in YA.

He is spun out of Fraction's Thor run (#617) and Gillen tells his story in his Journey into Mystery run. I can't praise it highly enough. But yes YA was great too.

[Raye]

I have zero faith in Aaron's Loki, I love Ewing's Loki much better.

Based on what? its been one issue. And in this issue, Aaron demonstrated a good knowledge of his history and even kinda broke the fourth wall to praise Gillen and Ewing.

I really liked Aaron's Loki. He was alternating between hilarious snark and complete badassery, but some hints of the heart Gillen and Ewing had given him remained, he just had to keep it a bit low key to enable his plan of infiltrating the Dark Council. (and it is clear now for sure that's what he's up to even if we don't know the specific reasons yet)

Also loved Heimdall this issue. That was great.

[Tofali]

Maliketh the Accursed is my favorite thing in this story. I'm enjoying the carnage of "War of Realms" too much. I wanna join that Dark Council lol!

[numberthirty]

Maliketh the Accursed is my favorite thing in this story. I'm enjoying the carnage of "War of Realms" too much. I wanna join that Dark Council lol!

I can't recall the last time a baddie has felt this fully fleshed out. He rally should be one of the wider Marvel universe's heavies.

[JKtheMac]

I can't recall the last time a baddie has felt this fully fleshed out. He rally should be one of the wider Marvel universe's heavies.

I think it has taken a while for Aaron to flesh out Malekith, but I agree he feels quite well drawn now. Certainly a lot more than the total waste of Eccleston's acting talent that he was in the movie, even though the character here does feel movie inspired.

[JKtheMac]

I really liked Aaron's Loki. He was alternating between hilarious snark and complete badassery, but some hints of the heart Gillen and Ewing had given him remained, he just had to keep it a bit low key to enable his plan of infiltrating the Dark Council. (and it is clear now for sure that's what he's up to even if we don't know the specific reasons yet)

Also loved Heimdall this issue. That was great.

Yes I thought what was here was very promising. I am not sure Aaron will have the wordplay or maybe the heart that we have seen with more recent Loki portrayals but he certainly has the manipulation and the covert agenda that we would expect. We will need more time with him to know if Aaron gets the voice fully.

I felt Heimdall was pretty much lifted from the movies, but that isn't a bad reference to play with. He also gives us the first character hint that Bor and Odin may not be singing from the same hymn sheet. It's a thin thread at the moment, but I will cling to it until it snaps.

[Haquim]

An excellent read. I especially liked the way Laufey and Loki's relationship was described.

[Ragdoll]

I have zero faith in Aaron's Loki, I love Ewing's Loki much better.

I'm the exact opposite. I did not like Ewing's Loki run and am very pleased with this new direction. I have faith that Aaron's take on the character will deliver. We'll need to see more to fully judge, of course.