WOTN Review: Loki #2 (Marvel)

Loki #2 Brings Forth Tricks and Changes

Before we begin, this is another reminder that the events in Loki directly follow everything that happened in War of the Realms. So, if you’re looking to avoid spoilers, you should probably wait to check out this series (or even this review if you want to play it safe).

Loki finally has everything he wants. Only to learn that it isn’t enough. And man, doesn’t that sound familiar? So, Loki, being Loki, has decided to add to the list of things he wants. And some of the additions may just surprise you.

Loki #2 brings together two fan favorites, as you can tell from the cover of this issue. And while you know things will play slightly differently than shown, it’s hard not to get a little curious about what is happening here.

Writing

Loki #2 managed to bounce back and forth between humorous and fascinating in the blink of an eye. To be fair, that’s sort of the balance we hope to see with Loki, but it’s perfectly done here. There are amusing moments galore – from his clever shirt to the banter. But then there are the scenes that set the tone for what is happening – even while Loki is being quite cavalier about it all.

Daniel Kibblesmith has taken over writing for Loki’s newest adventure, though I’m sure he’s consulting with Jason Aaron so that Loki and Thor’s plots can lead back together. He’s doing an amazing job with the character, reflecting the sass and indignation that Loki is so well known for.

This issue was an interesting one, on the whole. It uses different storytelling techniques, such as jumping between several points in time, to tell a cohesive tale. The result is something not easily predicted, but that’s a good thing in this case.

Art

Loki #2 had some brilliant artwork inside, and all credit should go to Oscar Bazaldva and David Curiel for the scenes they created. While the issue was appealing to look at, some scenes stood out among the rest.

In particular, the opening scene, which portrays Friday in her digital form, is excellently rendered. I don’t think I’ve seen a holograph look quite that fascinating in some time. Granted, the uh, alterations made later on certainly added some humor to the mix.

The expressions in this issue were comical – with exaggerated emotions taking over. It fits in well with the story being told. And, of course, there’s nothing better than Loki when he’s hit a moment of pure exasperation.

Conclusion

Loki #2 was an interesting follow-up to the first issue in a series. It threw in more twists and complications to the tale, proving that the story truly does revolve around this character of mischief. Oddly enough, it puts certain elements taken for granted into question – which is a refreshing change. On the whole, this issue will be perfect for characters hoping to learn a bit more about Loki. Or just seeing more of Loki doing what he does best – get himself into trouble.

This review was originally written for Word of the Nerd, but has been ported over to Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks now that the site has shut down.

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