Anybody who listened to our first podcast back after hiatus knows that I’m a longtime fan of Thor and that my co-host most definitely is not. It’s not unusual for two people to wildly disagree on something, but there is an important distinction to be made. There’s a difference between “bad” and “not into it.” When something truly and irredeemably BAD comes across like Superboy or “One Moment in Time,” there’s simply no defending it. However, comics like Thor will only appeal to a limited audience; Journey into Mystery is one of those comics.
Journey into Mystery originated in 1952 as an anthology series. Issue 83 in 1962 marked the first appearance of Marvel’s Thor, with the God of Thunder becoming an increased presence, eventually taking over with the comic officially renamed Thor with Issue 126 in 1966. Except for a brief change back in the 90s as part of the “Heroes Reborn” crossover, this month marks the first official return to the original title, paving the way for a relaunch with The Mighty Thor in May.
When Thor was at its height of popularity on the 60s, and later in the 80s, the comic offered an interesting mixture of classic Norse myth with sci-fi elements. It was an interesting combination leading to larger-than-life stories. When Thor relaunched in 2007 under J. Michael Straczynski, it came back with a fantasy style, deeply rooted in the myths. When many newer fans think of Thor, this is the idea they get; he’s a god and a king, but not much of a superhero. As a longtime fan of not only the character, but the mythology behind it, I could appreciate the stories, if not the interpretation of the character. When JMS left the title after Issue 603, Kieron Gillen took over for the next 11 issues. While his stories were still in the same theme of Straczynski’s, his characters felt different, more real.
With Journey into Mystery focusing on the other Asgardians, leaving Thor available for superheroing in his new title, I was excited to see Gillen return as writer. His handle on the characters, as well as the creativity shown in his stories made him the perfect writer for this series, in my opinion.
At least initially, Journey into Mystery is focusing on Loki, Thor’s adopted brother. While largely responsible for the destruction of Asgard during Siege, Loki also sacrificed himself in an attempt to save it. Resurrected in the body of a child by Thor, the new, younger Loki is curious to resolve this paradox presented by his previous actions. While he has many of his old memories, they are incomplete, sending him on his own “journey into mystery.”
The opening sequence, following seven magpies, servants of Loki, across the nine realms as they witness the events leading from the fall of Asgard to current day, was a great start. It reads very poetically and sets the tone for the story to follow; this isn’t a superhero comic book. What follows is some fun character building with Loki, the Prince of Lies, dealing with members of an online message board. They’re convinced his pictures of Asgard are fake, and even call him a troll. “But you’re a half-giant,” Thor responds. Yes, it’s a silly joke, but it shows Gillen has no intention of setting the story solely in the realm of the gods; there will still be interaction with the human world and you can blend magic with science.
Gillen goes on to establish Loki’s status amongst the other gods, and it’s not favorable. In his previous life, he caused unending trouble, leading to the destruction of their home and will not be easily forgiven just because Thor demands it. This life as an outcast motivates Loki to investigate his past actions, leading to the aforementioned “journey into mystery.” Loki’s quest is detailed in the same style of the opening narration and really establishes Journey into Mystery as a fantasy story of our “hero” on a quest.
The art is color over pencils, with no inking. It gives the comic a softer feel with rough edges, making it different from most other comics. It’s a great effect, with subtle shading and radiant glows. While not as refined as the art we’ll likely see in The Mighty Thor, it fits the story perfectly.
Again, Journey into Mystery is not a comic for everyone. It’s rooted in the lore of Norse mythology and reads more like fantasy than a traditional comic. However, if that is something you’re interested in, then Journey is a solid read. It has a serious story at its core, but with Loki as the main character, it’s not going to take itself too seriously.
The issue also has a backup feature recounting events from the 2007 relaunch of Thor through Issue 621, allowing new readers a chance to catch up.
Journey into Mystery Issue 622
Marvel Comics
Story: Kieron Gillen
Art: Dougie Braithwaite, Ulises Arreola
