Thor and Loki: Tenth Realm #2 Review
By Roger Lee
Thor and Loki, and the woman who may be their sister, Angela, meet in this blood-spattered battle book. Added to the big news that in a few months, a female character will become the new Thor, this mini-series tied into the Original Sin crossover event may prove to be a truly significant point in all Thor comic books.
As shown in Thor and Loki: The Tenth Realm #1, as a result of the Watcher’s death and dis-orbment, Thor is let in on two secrets that had been kept from his knowledge: That there was a Tenth Realm (as opposed to the Nine Realms of Asgardian Lore), and that he had a secret sister who has some connection to the aforementioned Tenth Realm. Convincing Loki to accompany him, Thor steals his father’s chariot and bursts into this Tenth Realm.
Thor and Loki: Tenth Realm #2 Cover
As Thor and Loki enter into this strange dimension, they are challenged by the winged defenders of this Tenth Realm. Thor, seeing only beautiful females, attempts to charm them despite Loki’s attempt to dissuade him. As it turns out, these winged Angels (as they are called), fervently hate anything linked to Asgard, and they especially hate the Odinson. So, Thor has a battle on his hands.
The story also cuts away to the now obligatory Guardians of the Galaxy cameo (the Guardians of the Galaxy movie comes out on August 1st), where we see the orange-skinned and flame-haired Angela as a member of the Guardians as they battle alien car-jackers (no, really!). She is suddenly called away by a thunderous noise, and abandons the Guardians to their battle as she leaves to join the battle against Thor.
Guardians of the Galaxy and Angela
As the comic closes, we see Angela joining her “sisters” to face off against the Thunder God.
This is an interesting story, with intriguing artwork by Simone Bianchi and Lee Garbett. The writing ( by Jason Aaron and Al Ewing) captures the two differing personas of Thor and Loki well. Thor is a trusting, proud son of Asgard, and feels it is always appropriate to proclaim to all ten realms just who he is and why he is there. Loki, on the other hand, is seen as not willing to tell the whole truthful story, and more than willing to find an alternative to upfront battle. The writers gave Loki the best lines of dialogue (and of course, Loki’s lines are now and forever-more in Tom Hiddleston’s voice as I read).
The cultural mores of these female, winged denizens of the Tenth Realm are introduced, and I must say, they seem like a very interesting race of creatures to get to know as they take their place in the Marvel Universe.
Thor and Loki Flying into the Tenth Realm
We are left at this end of this book with a cliff-hanger of several parts. What will Loki end up doing? Will Thor and Angela fight (of course they will, that is what happens in the comics), and what will happen now that the gateway to the Tenth Realm is open? And how does all of this lead to Thor’s being judged “unworthy” and losing Mjolnir? This last part Marvel already told us when they announced that there will be a female Thor who takes up the Norse Thunder God’s hammer.
This was an interesting book to read. Pick it up if you are:
1. A fan of Thor
2. A fan of Loki (and after the Avengers movie, Loki has a LOT of fans)
3. A fan of Angela of Spawn fame
4. Are following the Original Sin crossover story
5. Curious as to how Thor loses his hammer and is replaced by a (as yet unnamed) female
Catch us next month when we review the next issue in this Thor and Loki: Tenth Realm tale.